ARC Canada has successfully completed the first phase of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Vendor Design Review (VDR) for its ARC-100 advanced small modular reactor (SMR).

“The ARC-100 is a proven technology which makes it a significant competitive differentiator,” ARC Canada Business Manager, Carol Lynn Landry, told Nuclear Energy Insider.

“In addition to its readiness for market, its inherent safety and the ability to reconstitute its own fuel repeatedly, the ARC-100 technology can support intermittent wind and solar energy sources which is proving to be very popular with our client base.”

In the case of the ARC-100, the CNSC determined that ARC Canada understands, and has interpreted correctly, the intent of regulatory requirements. ARC Canada said any question or comment is foreseen to be resolvable and will be addressed in future engagement with the CNSC.

Ready for Phase 2

According to Scott Birch at Nuclear Energy Insider, ARC’s is the third design to complete Phase 1 Pre-Licensing Vendor Design Review (a process that typically takes 12-18 months but was carried out over a 24-month period at the request of the vendor) following Terrestrial Energy and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC).

According to ARC’s Carol Landry, “The ARC-100 technology is at a mature technology level since its design is based on a previously proven technology that was operated safely by world-leading experts for over three decades. As such, prototype development, that may be a requirement for other advanced small modular reactor types, is not required in our case.”

ARC Canada established its HQ in Saint John, New Brunswick, in October 2018 and believes the province provides the ideal platform for SMR technology.

“I see a tremendous opportunity for our manufacturing sector, academia and workforce as we build a sustainable supply chain that will export the ARC-100 technology,” said ARC Canada’s President and CEO Norman JD Sawyer.

ARC is working with NB Power in developing plans for the eventual build of the First Of A Kind (FOAK). Completion of the SMR is slated for 2028 in time to replace the existing coal generation station in 2030.

"We believe, as does our current partner NB Power, the ability to rely on a significant amount of operational data does provide a significant advantage over other advanced SMR technologies," said Landry. "In fact the Canadian regulatory body also sees our ability to use such operating experience as part of our design improvement program as a very positive aspect of our safety case."

About ARC Canada

ARC Canada is a clean energy technology company developing the ARC-100, an advanced small modular reactor (SMR) that provides inherently safe, reliable, economically competitive, and carbon-free energy with fueling versatility and significant waste reduction. ARC Canada has established its Head Office in Saint John, New Brunswick with a goal of promoting business and economic development within Canada. New Brunswick provides the key success elements for the development of the ARC-100 technology in Canada; a strong energy background, an experienced and effective electric utility, a flexible and highly competent work force and academia that can support development and innovation. ARC Canada envisions the creation of a sustainable supply chain delivering economic growth, well-paying supply chain jobs and the opportunity for New Brunswick and Canada to take the lead in the advanced small modular reactor technology field.

More Information on ARC is available online at www.arcenergy.co

ARC MEDIA CONTACT:
Carol Lynn Landry
clandry@arcenergy.co