Monitoring emerging technologies
Governments around the world are increasingly looking to nuclear energy as part of climate change initiatives. Here in Canada, the nuclear sector is actively exploring emerging nuclear technologies. No matter the source of the fuel, safety will always be our top priority.
Overview
Nuclear energy has been identified by the federal government as a pillar in Canada’s climate change strategy for achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050, as well as ensuring a continued safe and secure energy system for Canada in the face of global challenges.
In this evolving environment, there is potential for not only extending the life of existing nuclear plants, but also building new nuclear reactors. In Canada, the nuclear sector is actively exploring small modular reactors (SMRs), fuel reprocessing (sometimes referred to as recycling) and other types of advanced reactors.
Under the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (2002), the NWMO is responsible for the safe, long-term management of all Canada’s used nuclear fuel, including that created using new or emerging technologies.
Thinking about the future is part of the NWMO’s DNA. Even though used nuclear fuel and other wastes from new nuclear projects will not be ready to be placed in a deep geological repository for decades, we are already thinking about ways to be flexible and keep options open.
Managing used nuclear fuel
Emerging technologies such as SMRs, very small modular reactors (VSMRs) or used nuclear fuel reprocessing would generate additional used nuclear fuel, which would have characteristics similar to the used nuclear fuel from Canada’s current nuclear energy reactors.
Regardless of the source of the nuclear fuel waste, safety will always be our top priority. As such, fuel waste will need to meet certain criteria:
- The waste must be a stable, unreactive solid material.
- Detailed information about the nature of the waste must be available, including information on physical characteristics, chemical composition and durability, as well as other information that might influence repository design.
- Lastly, the fuel must be transportable to the repository site, fitting into a licensed transportation package.
Planning for new nuclear projects
There is international consensus that deep geological repositories represent the best practice for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel resulting from SMRs, including any high-level waste from reprocessing.
Canada’s first deep geological repository will contain and isolate all the country’s used nuclear fuel from existing CANDU reactors using a multiple-barrier system. A fundamental tenet of our approach is incorporating new knowledge and adapting to new technology. We are building flexibility into repository designs so we can be ready to manage new types of used nuclear fuel.
We also continue to actively engage with proponents of potential new nuclear projects to help us prepare for decisions that could change the volume and type of waste we are responsible for managing.
We are exploring the potential to include future used fuel from new nuclear projects in the same repository we will use to manage intermediate-level and non-fuel high-level waste. Planning for this second repository project is still in the early stages of development. We are currently seeking input on a proposed site selection process, which is then expected to begin in 2028.
As that process moves forward, the NWMO will also advance technical assessments and begin preliminary designs for the facility, ensuring they are adaptive in nature and consider the best available technologies. This work will be done in close collaboration with Canadians and Indigenous Peoples and consider best practices from our international peers.
As with the first repository project, the second will only move forward in an area that is safe from a technical perspective, and that has informed and willing hosts.
Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsHow does the NWMO plan to address used fuel from small modular reactors?
New nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors or very small modular reactors may result in different types of used fuel. There is international consensus that deep geological repositories represent the best practice for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel resulting from these emerging technologies.
We actively engage with proponents of potential new nuclear projects to help us prepare for decisions that could change the volume and type of waste we are responsible for managing.
Canada’s first deep geological repository will contain and isolate all the country’s used nuclear fuel from existing CANDU reactors using a multiple-barrier system. A fundamental tenet of our approach is incorporating new knowledge and adapting to new technology. We are building flexibility into repository designs so we can be ready to manage new types of used nuclear fuel.
In case we need additional capacity in the future, we are exploring the potential to include future used fuel from new nuclear projects in the same repository we will use to manage intermediate-level and non-fuel high-level waste. Planning for this second repository project is still in the early stages of development. We are currently seeking input on a proposed site selection process, which is then expected to begin in 2028.
Regardless of the source of the nuclear fuel waste, safety will always be our top priority.
What if nuclear plants with different fuel types are used in the future?
In the future, decisions regarding nuclear power generation made by provincial governments, nuclear plant operators and regulators may result in different types of used fuel.
We actively engage with proponents of potential new nuclear projects to help us prepare for decisions that could change the volume and type of waste we are responsible for managing.
Canada’s first deep geological repository will contain and isolate all the country’s used nuclear fuel from existing CANDU reactors using a multiple-barrier system. A fundamental tenet of our approach is incorporating new knowledge and adapting to new technology. We are building flexibility into repository designs so we can be ready to manage new types of used nuclear fuel.
In case we need additional capacity in the future, we are exploring the potential to include future used fuel from new nuclear projects in the same repository we will use to manage intermediate-level and non-fuel high-level waste. Planning for this second repository project is still in the early stages of development. We are currently seeking input on a proposed site selection process, which is then expected to begin in 2028.
No matter the type of used fuel, safety will always be our top priority.
What happens to the plan if new nuclear plants are built?
The NWMO is required by the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act to safely store and manage all Canada’s used nuclear fuel for generations, including that from new and emerging technologies.
There have been multiple recent announcements about the potential for new small modular reactors, refurbishments and life-extensions, and possible new nuclear expansion. While many potential new nuclear projects are being considered, very few are confirmed. We continue to update and publish our projected fuel inventory forecasts annually based on known information. Even though this new used fuel will not be ready to be placed in a repository for decades, we are already thinking about ways to be flexible and keep options open.
Canada’s first deep geological repository will contain and isolate all the country’s used nuclear fuel from existing CANDU reactors using a multiple-barrier system. A fundamental tenet of our approach is incorporating new knowledge and adapting to new technology. We are building flexibility into repository designs so we can be ready to manage new types of used nuclear fuel.
In case we need additional capacity in the future, we are exploring the potential to include future used fuel from new nuclear projects in the same repository we will use to manage intermediate-level and non-fuel high-level waste. Planning for this second repository project is still in the early stages of development. We are currently seeking input on a proposed site selection process, which is then expected to begin in 2028.
We actively engage with proponents of potential new nuclear projects to help us prepare for decisions that could change the volume and type of waste we are responsible for managing.
