Request for Expressions of Interest—CNL’s Small Modular Reactor
Strategy
1. Purpose of this RFEOI
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Ltd. (CNL) is issuing this Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) to
better understand: market interest in SMRs, including the siting of a demonstration or prototype;
interest in R&D and other services at CNL to support SMR development; the challenges and
opportunities in bringing SMRs to market; and other interest in SMRs from a variety of stakeholders.
Technology developers, supply chain, potential end users, operators, and any other interested parties,
are invited to identify what is needed to realize the benefits of SMRs for Canada, and provide their
thoughts on how they can, and how CNL can, contribute to this goal. We also invite responses from
potential host communities, customers, or other non-technical, interested parties and stakeholders. All
feedback provided will be reviewed and may be considered for incorporation into CNL’s planning
processes as appropriate.
Through this RFEOI, CNL is seeking non-binding engagements with industry and other stakeholders to
better inform its SMR program, including hosting a demonstration or prototype reactor at CNL. The
intent is to use this information to:
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Measure respondent interest in constructing a prototype or demonstration reactor on a CNLmanaged site;
Understand what various stakeholders can contribute to the SMR program at CNL;
Identify the needs of respondents in terms of R&D facilities and expertise, and services that CNL
could provide in hosting a reactor;
Obtain information to guide the development of licence applications;
Engage with stakeholders such as governments, funders, communities and potential end-users;
Understand the potential opportunities for new prototype and demonstration reactors; and
Obtain information to guide internal planning.
This RFEOI is only a request for information. This RFEOI is not a step or pre-requisite to any future
procurement. This RFEOI is a non-binding process on CNL and CNL shall not be obligated in any manner
to any interested party under this RFEOI. CNL reserves the right to modify, cancel or suspend the RFEOI
process at any stage at any time for any reason and to accept or reject any response at any time.
2. Introduction
Increasingly over the past decade, small modular reactors (SMRs) have been recognized as a potential
alternative to large-scale nuclear reactors. SMRs may offer several advantages over traditional
technologies, notably: a reduced size more suitable for some applications; the ability to purchase and
construct in a modular way, decreases in up-front capital costs; simpler, less complex plants; and a
reduced staff complement. In addition to electricity generation, SMRs can be part of an overall energy
scheme that could include applications such as district heating, co-generation, energy storage,
desalination, or hydrogen production.
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is advancing science and technology for a clean and secure world.
Building on decades of experience in supporting and deploying numerous prototype, demonstration,
research, and power reactors, CNL is well-positioned to support the development and deployment of
SMRs, including hosting a demonstration facility. Recently restructured into a Government-owned
Contractor-operated (GoCo) model, CNL is well positioned to leverage our diverse capabilities for
commercial success in Canadian and international SMR markets.
CNL can offer support in all aspects, from technology development through to deployment, including
demonstration on one of its licenced sites, with support for regulatory considerations. CNL manages
several well characterized sites licensed by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, with multiple siting
opportunities and the required supporting services and general infrastructure. Several nuclear reactors
have been built and operated at CNL sites over the past 60 years. The integrated nature of the site in a
supportive host community creates a collaborative environment where stakeholders, students, visiting
scientists, operators, regulators and the supply chain can meet, discuss technical aspects of the SMRs,
and advance and understand the technologies.
CNL is interested in exploring opportunities to host a demonstration or prototype SMR (or vSMR, very
small modular reactors). CNL offers a world-class R&D team with comprehensive experimental and
modeling facilities, underpinned by a complete roster of support services such as radiation protection;
health physics; security; safeguards and nuclear material management; and emergency planning. CNL
has commercially available research facilities and scientists to perform discovery R&D and solve key
technology challenges, along with integrated fuel manufacturing, testing and examination, and waste
solutions.
New capital investments in facilities, equipment and infrastructure are planned for CNL. In addition to
infrastructure upgrades, such as a new switchyard, municipal services, and a tri-generation plant, the
largest single capital investment currently planned is the construction of an advanced nuclear materials
and fuel research centre. This new facility will be the foundational element supporting the broader S&T
program including the SMR program. This facility is anticipated to strengthen our existing capabilities in
nuclear fuels and materials testing and characterization, with a suite of new, world class hot cells,
shielded facilities, and flexible laboratories.
CNL intends to begin the initial site selection and licensing process for the first demonstration or
prototype reactor (Class I facility) in 2017. At this preliminary stage, these activities will be technology
neutral, and inclusive of all potential technologies.
The Canadian regulatory framework supports the regulation of advanced and small modular reactors,
and is a key enabler of SMR demonstration and an SMR industry in Canada. The Canadian Nuclear Safety
Commission (CNSC) makes regulatory decisions in a risk-informed manner, recognizing that flexibility
might be required on a case-by-case basis. The regulatory process allows licensees to propose
alternative methods that are acceptable to the CNSC to demonstrate an acceptable safety case. The
CNSC is engaging with the SMR community, for example through its recent discussion paper, Small
Modular Reactors: Regulatory Strategy, Approaches and Challenges. The CNSC is open to new licensing
applications, including pre-licensing vendor design reviews, several of which are already underway for
small modular reactor technologies.
Through this RFEOI, CNL aims to build an understanding of the capabilities of technology developers and
other stakeholders, both what they would bring to a partnership with CNL, and what is needed for
successful commercial deployment. Input is requested from SMR technology developers, potential end
users of these technologies, and any other interested parties and stakeholders, including but not limited
to potential host communities, unions, the Canadian nuclear supply chain, and research and academic
institutions.
3. Information Requested Under This RFEOI
The RFEOI response comprises three sections:
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Section One: Executive summary
Section Two: General Information for Deployment of SMR Technology in Canada (for all
stakeholders or other interested parties)
Section Three: Technology Specific Information (for SMR technology developers)
3.1. General
Respondents are encouraged to offer concise comments and insights that they believe would be
beneficial to CNL in the objective of hosting a demonstration or prototype reactor.
Although CNL is seeking responses that are as comprehensive as possible, it is understood that, for
various reasons, potential respondents may be unable to provide some of the information requested.
Provision of whatever information is possible will be helpful and appreciated.
Respondents are requested to submit electronic submissions only as specified in Section 5: Submission
Information; printed copies are not required.
CNL intends to use the results of this RFEOI to inform future engagements. If your response contains
proprietary information, this information must be identified as such. CNL reserves the right to publicly
disclose any information that is not clearly identified as proprietary. If you feel disclosure of proprietary
information would benefit this process, and would prefer to do so under a separate arrangement such
as a Non-Disclosure Agreement, please contact CNL through the information provided in Section 5.
Responses to this RFEOI may be shared with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and its
Shareholder, the Minister of Natural Resources. Any proprietary information will be treated
appropriately by CNL, AECL and Natural Resources Canada.
3.2. Executive Summary
The response should begin with a one-page summary that includes the following information:
Request for Expressions of Interest – CNL’s SMR Strategy
Lead Organization Responding (legal name)
Any other participating organizations (name of each)
Stakeholder group:
a) Reactor vendor/designer
b) Service or product provider
c) Potential end-user
d) Potential host community
e) Potential operator or electricity distributor
f) Other stakeholder, please specify
Summary of Interest (one paragraph)
Expertise/capability of the respondent(s) (one paragraph)
Please outline your potential contributions to a Canadian SMR industry and potential partnership
with CNL.
Contact Information
3.3. Main Body of Submission
The response should include all of the headings provided below in the order in which they appear. For
each section, guidelines regarding the type of information being sought are provided; however,
respondents may include any information they deem relevant for each section. Where information
requested is not available, is not relevant to the response or cannot be provided for any reason,
respondents should include the title of the section and then leave it blank or provide only that
information that is applicable. Responses to the General Information section must not exceed eight
pages. Responses to the SMR Technology Developer section must not exceed fifteen pages.
3.3.1.General Information for Deployment of SMR Technology in Canada (Stakeholders or Other
Interested Parties)
All SMR stakeholders or any other interested parties are invited to respond to the questions below. In
addition to the question limits provided below, the overall length of responses for this section should
not exceed eight pages. In formulating your responses, please consider your needs in general, not only
those that you perceive could be met by CNL. Through this RFEOI we seek to gather a comprehensive
picture.
1. What are your energy needs?
 Describe the attributes of the ideal solution to meet those energy needs.
 Have you considered nuclear energy as a solution?
 What is needed for you to consider nuclear energy as a solution?
2. What do you see as your role in the process to bring an SMR to deployment?
 Please provide details on your organization’s readiness to work with CNL. This could include,
but is not limited to: financial resources, technical capabilities, geographic constraints,
particular areas of strength, size of workforce (in Canada/ out of Canada).
3. From your perspective, what is needed to successfully deploy SMR technologies within Canada?
 The response should consider the following questions:
o What do end users need to have confidence to adopt these technologies?
o What do other industry partners and communities need?
o What is the biggest obstacle to deployment of prototypes or demonstration SMR
technologies?
o What is the biggest obstacle to deployment of these technologies on a commercial
basis within Canada?
4. What role do you see R&D and/or technology development playing in addressing the obstacles
identified in question two?
5. What additional applications (e.g. district heating, hydrogen production, energy storage) do you
consider as being most advantageous?
6. Would you / your organization like additional information – in general terms – regarding SMR
technology? If so, please suggest ways you feel we could best communicate with you or your
organization / constituents, and any specific areas of interest or methods of communication.
Registration to receive email updates for the RFEOI is available at www.cnl.ca/SMR.
7. Please provide any additional input you feel could help inform CNL’s SMR strategy.
3.3.2.Technology Specific Information (SMR Technology Developers)
Developers of SMR technologies who are interested in potentially constructing a demonstration or
prototype reactor at a CNL site are requested to provide input about their technology and needs
associated with the demonstration or prototype reactor, and by when these are required. Any
proprietary information provided should be labelled as such. Please limit responses to fifteen pages.
These questions are posed to provide CNL a better understanding of the technologies and needs. Some
of these may be topics that you are unable or unwilling to share at this time or as part of this process.
We would like to solicit any information that you are willing to provide.
If your demonstration/prototype reactor varies in any of these characteristics from the commercial
units, please provide information on both, as applicable.
Developer Attributes
1. What are the planned benefits of your technology to the Canadian economy, R&D community
and supply chain?
 Include direct financial and any other indirect benefits
2. Description of reactor technology
 Overview of the reactor design, including: coolant, fuel type and enrichment, safety
systems, waste streams, temperatures, physical size, effluents (including thermal loading),
and fuel inventory
 Reactor thermal power output
 Technology Readiness Level1
3. Other desired applications for the reactor
 Is there a need or interest in, for example, co-generation/tri-generation, power production
either for CNL site use or to be output to the electrical grid, coupling to energy storage
systems, etc.
 Please specify if these applications are desired for a prototype or demonstration reactor as
well as for a commercial reactor.
4. Potential for research capabilities of the demonstration or prototype reactor
1
Technology Readiness Levels are a type of measurement system used to assess the maturity level of a particular
technology. We ask that respondents refer to the following site for further clarity:
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/engineering/technology/txt_accordion1.html
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Describe if there is an intent to have any research capabilities as part of the demonstration
or prototype reactor, such as irradiation sites, and/or under what circumstances these
would be considered.
5. Waste generation and management
 Please describe the nature and quantities of waste expected to be generated (low,
intermediate and high-level), and describe how this may be addressed.
6. Cost
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Please provide estimated costs of a prototype or demonstration project.
Please provide any high-level estimates of the deployment lifecycle costs.
7. Business Considerations and Deployment
 Please provide information about how and where you would see the technology
deployed, models for licensing, who would be the owner/operator, estimated cost of
electricity and/or heat, and any other business case considerations.
8. Implementation Timeline
 Outline the timeline for the R&D, licensing, construction and operation of your reactor
technology, both prototype/demonstration facility, and for commercial deployment, if
known.
 Identify any go-no go or stage gating process
9. Risk
 Identify known risks in terms of technical risk, business risk, and other risks
Developer Requirements
10. Site requirements for a prototype or demonstration
 Size and depth of land requirements, including the size of land potentially required for
construction laydown areas
 Other infrastructure requirements for the site, e.g. water requirements (specifically water
intake flow requirements)
 CNL sites of interest
 Please provide your minimum requirements as well as your optimal requirements
11. R&D Facilities and Activities of Interest
 See Annex 1 for a list of S&T capabilities
 Add any other capabilities not listed in Annex 1 that CNL could develop or offer via
partnerships. Specify if there is a desire for these facilities to be co-located with the
demonstration or prototype reactor, rather than available at another location
 Provide an outline of your R&D program plans to support technology development, design
and licensing, and how CNL could assist with your R&D program.
12. Services that would be sought from CNL
 See Annex 2 for a list of support services
 Add any other services or infrastructure requirements. Please note any services that would
be required but you consider to be currently lacking or underdeveloped in the marketplace.
13. Other related facilities of interest
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Indicate needs for facilities such as fuel fabrication, post irradiation examination, waste
disposal, decommissioning, fuel reprocessing demonstration, etc.
14. Additional Information
 Any additional information or considerations may be provided regarding CNL as a host site
for a demonstration or prototype SMR.
4. Terms of the RFEOI
This RFEOI is only a request for information. This RFEOI is not a step or pre-requisite to any future
procurement. This RFEOI is a non-binding process on CNL and CNL shall not be obligated in any manner
to any interested party under this RFEOI. For certainty, it is not, and under no circumstances is it to be
construed as an invitation to bid, call for tenders or request for proposals. This RFEOI is neither a
procurement contract nor a contract to carry out any services as a result of this RFEOI or as a result of an
RFEOI submission.
CNL reserves the right to:
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b)
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d)
Modify, cancel or suspend the RFEOI process at any stage at any time for any reason;
Accept or reject any response in the sole and absolute discretion of CNL;
Not accept any response; and/or
Reject or disqualify all or any RFEOI without any obligation, compensation or reimbursement to
any Interested Party.
5. Submission Information
All inquiries regarding this RFEOI must be directed by email to:
Bronwyn Hyland
Program Manager, Small Modular Reactor Technologies
[email protected]
A response is requested by email to [email protected] on or before July 31, 2017.
Note: Those who wish to respond to only section 3.3.1 (General Information for Deployment of SMR
Technology in Canada (Stakeholders or Other Interested Parties)) are welcome to submit their responses
online at www.cnl.ca/SMR.
Annex 1: List of CNL S&T Capabilities
Advanced
Nuclear Fuels &
Materials
Research
Advanced Fuel
Cycle Analysis
Fuel
Development
Fuel Fabrication
and Assembly
Fuel
Characterization
Fuel Performance
Evaluation
Fuel Qualification
Support
Plutonium and
Other Actinides
Expertise
Materials
Characterization
Radiobiology,
Radioecology &
Dosimetry
Radiobiology
Dosimetry
Analytical
Radiochemistry
Environmental
Remediation
Geochemistry
Radioecology
Environmental
Modeling and
Instrumentation
Hydrogen &
Hydrogen
Isotopes
Management
Nuclear Safety,
Security & Risk
Management
Chemical
Engineering
Processes
Severe Accident
Experiments and
Analysis
Hydrogen
Isotopes
Expertise
Hydrogen Safety
Experiments and
Analysis
Catalyst
Development
Fuel Channel Safety
Experiments and
Analysis
Tritium
Handling,
Separation,
Removal and
Simulation
Environmental
Monitoring
Environmental
Analysis
In-Reactor
Testing
Neutron
Scattering
Fracture
Mechanics
Delayed Hydride
Cracking
Materials and
Components
Examination
Fuel PostIrradiation
Examination
Stress Corrosion
and Fatigue
Cracking
Reactor Safety
Experiments & Analysis
System
Thermalhydraulics
Multi-physics Multiscale Modelling
Reactor System Model
Applications
Computational Science
Big Data and Analytics
Cyber Security
Criticality Analysis
Code Verification,
Validation and Quality
Assurance
Safeguards and Nonproliferation
Nuclear
Instrumentation
Development
Experimental Reactor
Physics
Nuclear Data
Generation and
Evaluation
Human Performance
Figure 1 CNL’s six broad S&T Capabilities
Nuclear &
Systems
Engineering
Reactor Control
Instrumentation,
Control and
Software
Nuclear Systems
Analysis
Pump Seal
Development &
Production
Nuclear Chemistry
Applications
Waste Processing
Technologies
Nuclear Forensics
Radiochemical
Analysis
Heavy Water and
Thermal Ion Mass
Spectrometry
Radiation Chemistry
Robotics and
Automated
Systems
High Temperature
Water Chemistry
Tooling Design
Nuclear Power
Plant Chemistry
Additive
Manufacturing
Ultrasonic
Inspection
Technology
Electromagnetic
Inspection
Technology
Non-Destructive
Examination
Technologies
Vibration and
Wear
Online Material
and Component
Monitoring
Corrosion and
Electrochemistry
Surface Science
Facilities supporting these capabilities include:
Advanced
Nuclear Fuels &
Materials
Research
Biofouling and
Biocorrosion
Facilities
Radiobiology,
Radioecology &
Dosimetry
Biological
Research Facility
Delayed Hydride
Cracking Facility
Co-60 Gamma
Irradiation
Facility
Fission Products
Behaviour
Laboratory
Health Physics
Neutron
Generator
Fuel
Development
Laboratories
High
Temperature
Fuel Channel
Laboratory
Mechanical
Testing
Laboratories
Metallographic
Services
Laboratory
Nuclear Fuel
Fabrication
Facility
Recycle Fuel
Fabrication
Laboratories
Hydrogen &
Hydrogen
Isotopes
Management
Hydrogen
and
Hydrogen
Safety
Laboratories
Tritium
Facility
Nuclear Safety,
Security & Risk
Management
Containment
Chemistry Laboratory
Core Disassembly
Facility
Deformation
Technology Calandria
Tube Burst Test and
Creep Rupture Testing
Laboratory
Large Scale
Containment Facility
Large-Scale Vented
Combustion Test
Facility
Molten Fuel
Moderator Interaction
Facility
RD-14M Experimental
Facility
Small Scale Burst Test
Facility
Thermalhydraulics
Laboratory
ZED-2 Research
Reactor
Nuclear &
Systems
Engineering
Digital
Radiography
and Computer
Tomography
Facility
Drop Test
Facility
Fluid Sealing
Technology
Metrology
Facility
High Bay and
Laboratories
Impact FrettingWear Facility
Nuclear and
Critical
Infrastructure
Cyber Security
Laboratory
Nuclear
Instrumentation
Development
Laboratory
Nuclear Chemistry
Applications
Analytical
Chemistry
Laboratories
Chemical and
Corrosion
Autoclave and Loop
Test Facility
High Temperature
and Pressure Test
Loop Facilities
Surface Science
Laboratories
Transmission
Electron
Microscopy
Laboratory
Van de Graaff
Accelerator Facility
X-Ray Diffraction
Laboratory
Strainer Test
Facilities
Single-Specimen
Uniaxial-Stress
Thermal Creep
Facility
Figure 2: Facilities supporting CNL’s six S&T capabilities
More information on each of these facilities can be found at http://www.cnl.ca/en/home/facilities-andexpertise/all-facilities/default.aspx
Annex 2: List of CNL Support Services
Dosimetry Services
Fire Protection Program
Corporate Communications
Emergency and Protective Services
Emergency Preparedness
Engineering
Environmental Protection
Human Performance
IT (Information Technology)
Liability Information Management (LIM)
Site Maintenance and Work Management
Manufacturing Services
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program
Nuclear Materials Operations
Nuclear Materials and Safeguards Management
Occupational Safety and Health
Operations Programs & Standards
OPEX - Operating Experience
Personnel Security Services
Physical Security
Program Management Office
Radiation Protection
Site Landlord Systems – Real Property and Municipal Services
Site Planning & Property Management
Supply Chain (Logistics / Procurement / Central Stores)
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Waste Management Program