Energy in Canada
Nuclear Energy is Clean Energy
Canadians are increasingly concerned about the relationship between energy and the environment. While much has been written about the environmental impact of conventional energy sources like fossil fuels, Canadians still know relatively little about nuclear energy, the environmental issues surrounding it and the role it plays in supplying our energy demands.
Did you know that nuclear energy is North America's largest source of emission-free energy? While it sounds too good to be true, consider this: because nuclear energy emits no pollutants (1MB PDF), carbon dioxide or other noxious gases into the atmosphere, it does not contribute to acid rain or climate change. This is an increasingly important benefit given nuclear energy's potential to offset or even reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Another benefit of nuclear energy is that it can generate huge amounts of electricity with only a relatively small amount of by-product. According to the World Nuclear Association, radioactive wastes comprise less than one per cent of total industrial toxic waste in countries with nuclear power generation.
Safely disposing of that by-product is also nuclear energy's principal environmental challenge. Currently, the by-product - used fuel - is stored in water-filled bays at the nuclear facility, where the water cools the fuel and shields the radiation. The fuel is usually stored for a period of five to 10 years (84KB PDF), and when the radioactive fission products have largely decayed, the used fuel can be transferred to dry storage, also on site at the facility, typically in large steel and concrete canisters. While the long-term storage of the by-product may seem hazardous, it is important to remember that the radioactivity of used nuclear fuel diminishes quite rapidly (148KB PDF), falling to one per cent of its initial value after one year, 0.1 per cent after 10 years and 0.01 per cent after 100 years.
Like all energy sources, nuclear energy has its benefits and challenges. That said, Canadians need a safe and reliable energy source to meet demand, and nuclear energy fits that description. Fortunately, Canadian-designed CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactors can provide about 15% of Canada's clean electricity. As science and industry continue to explore new technologies to decrease our carbon footprint, nuclear energy will be there to provide Canadians with a safe, clean and reliable energy source.
Securing Canada's Energy Future with Nuclear
As Canada looks to nuclear energy to meet future demands for cleaner and more efficient energy, some are questioning the source's reliability. Fortunately, Canada's nuclear industry continues to make headway with its reliable performance.
The Canadian designed CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactor by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is one of the top performing nuclear reactors in the world. The CANDU Reactor consistently achieves outstanding performance track records, as demonstrated by the Pickering 7 reactor in Ontario, which holds the world record for longest non-stop operation at 894 days (636KB PDF).
In 2008, this reliable source powered 53 per cent of Ontario. Ontario-based Bruce Power, Canada's first private nuclear generating company and the source of more than 20 per cent of Ontario's electricity, is now considering expanding operations into Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The Alberta Electric System Operator is predicting the need for 5,000 megawatts (MW) of new generation by 2017, creating a future for nuclear energy that Albertans can rely on. With hopes to contribute to Alberta's energy mix, Bruce Power Alberta has proposed the Peace River Nuclear Power Plant Project, a project which includes constructing and operating up to four reactors, with a total of 3,200 to 4,400 MW of electrical generating capacity.
In Saskatchewan, home of the world's largest known high-grade natural uranium (636KB PDF) deposits used to fuel nuclear reactors, nuclear energy could contribute 1,000 MW of electricity by 2020, as reported in a 2008 Bruce Power feasibility study. The Lloydminster region, including Battleford and Prince Albert, is an ideal location for a nuclear facility. This nuclear facility could create 2,000 jobs during construction and 1,000 permanent jobs over 60 years of operation.
The benefits and possibilities of nuclear energy are endless - it is efficient, affordable, and with Canada's continuous experience, it is reliable.
previous | next