Westinghouse Electric Company has signed collaboration agreements with the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and McMaster University in in Canada. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with USask is for technical collaboration designed to accelerate the deployment of the eVinci microreactor in Saskatchewan.
Under the agreement, Westinghouse and USask will explore collaboration opportunities for the technical development and deployment analysis for its eVinci technology. Westinghouse is seeking to deploy Canada’s first eVinci microreactor in Saskatchewan to explore industrial, research and energy use applications.
The eVinci microreactor design is a heatpipe-cooled transportable reactor that will be fully factory built, fuelled and assembled, and capable of delivering combined heat (up to 13 MWt) and power (up to 5 MWe). Its small size allows for standard transportation methods and rapid, on-site deployment, with superior reliability and minimal maintenance. It will use TRISO (TRI-structural ISOtropic) nuclear fuel. It is one of several advanced reactor designs being supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) intended to accelerate the development and deployment of new reactor technologies.
“USask has a rich history of nuclear research and innovation. Our collaboration with Westinghouse amplifies our commitment to advancing the clean energy solutions our world needs,” said Dr Terry Fonstad, Associate Vice-President Research at USask. “This multidisciplinary research, involving USask’s School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS), College of Engineering and other departments, has the potential to make a profound, positive impact.”
As part of the collaboration, SENS has conducted an economic analysis of the benefits and opportunities an eVinci microreactor could bring if deployed in remote communities to provide reliable and resilient power and heat. Results from the economic analysis, which covers impacts to community growth and investment, health and safety, will be announced in the coming months.
“This is a very exciting opportunity to lead a shift towards sustainable, secure and efficient clean energy solutions for our communities,” said Dr Michael Bradley, Dean of the College of Engineering at USask. “With this collaboration with Westinghouse, we are uniting the interdisciplinary expertise from across the University of Saskatchewan to amplify its impact in the field of nuclear research and innovation.”
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with McMaster University in Ontario support research and development (R&D) of the eVinci microreactor. Under the agreements, McMaster and Westinghouse will continue collaborating on significant R&D to move the eVinci technology towards commercialisation. The MSA will allow for an extended research collaboration that includes material irradiation and examination studies.
“As Canada’s Nuclear University, McMaster is committed to working alongside our industry partners to advance materials and energy solutions for a cleaner world,” said Andy Knights, McMaster’s Acting Vice-President, Research.
McMaster is currently expanding its reactor testing capabilities through the development of a high-temperature irradiated test rig, which will enable Westinghouse to gather key testing data to support design confirmation and subsequent licensing approval of the eVinci microreactor.
“McMaster University is a strong Canadian research partner, offering years of valuable experience and insights from operating its research reactor that can be applied to our microreactor technology,” said Jon Ball, President of Westinghouse eVinci Technologies.”
This technical collaboration builds on a partnership started in 2022. McMaster has already completed a material properties literature review along with corresponding material handbooks to inform engineering design and determine future testing needs. These microreactor research agreements support McMaster’s vision for a net-zero campus and research into the possible applications of renewable heat and power for remote deployments.
