The VDR is divided into three phases, each requiring increasingly more detailed technical information:
• Phase 1: Compliance with regulatory requirements. The conceptual design is expected to be completed and described. For a discrete set of focus areas, CNSC staff assess how the vendor’s design processes demonstrate intent to meet CNSC requirements.
• Phase 2: Identification of potential fundamental barriers to licensing. Subsequent to Phase 1, this phase goes into further detail, with a focus on identifying whether there are any potential fundamental barriers to licensing.
• Phase 3: A follow-up to Phase 2. This phase focuses on a more detailed review of selected focus areas identified by the vendor that pertain to a license to construct.
There are several nuclear reactor designs that have completed pre-licensing reviews.
Completed vendor pre-licensing vendor design reviews
Note: Due to the commercially sensitive and proprietary information in the full report, the CNSC is only able to post the Executive Summaries.
For any detailed information concerning the results of a VDR, please contact the associated vendor.
SMR, LLC. – SMR-160:
Phase 1 Pre-Licensing Vendor Design Review Executive Summary: SMR, LLC. (August 2020)
SMR LLC is designing a 160 MW(e) (525 MW(th)) light-water reactor, the SMR-160. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), as Canada’s nuclear regulator, under the authority of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, entered into an agreement with SMR LLC to conduct a Phase 1 pre-licensing vendor design review (VDR) of the SMR-160 light-water reactor design.
ARC Nuclear Canada Inc. – ARC-100:
Phase 1 Pre-Licensing Vendor Design Review Executive Summary: ARC Nuclear Canada Inc. (October 2019)
Advanced Reactor Concepts (ARC) Nuclear Canada Inc. (ARC Canada Inc.) is designing a 286 megawatt thermal sodium-cooled fast reactor, ARC-100, with a net nominal electrical output of approximately 100 megawatts.
Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation – MMR:
Phase 1 Pre-Licensing Vendor Design Review Executive Summary: Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) (February 2019)
Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) is designing a 15-thermal-megawatt micro modular reactor (MMR), with a net electrical output of approximately 5 megawatts. The MMR concept draws on operational experience from the high-temperature gas-cooled reactors developed by the U.S., Germany, China and Japan.
In May 2016, the CNSC and USNC signed a service agreement for the conduct of a Phase 1 VDR of the MMR.
Terrestrial Energy Inc. – IMSR 400:
Phase 1 Executive Summary: Pre-Project Review of Terrestrial Energy’s 400-thermal-megawatt integral molten salt reactor (IMSR400) (PDF, November 2017)
The CNSC has completed a Phase 1 VDR of the Terrestrial Energy Inc. (TEI) 400-thermal megawatt integral molten salt reactor (IMSR400).
Candu Energy* – EC 6 (Enhanced CANDU):
On October 2, 2011, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. acquired certain assets of AECL’s commercial operations. The business operates as a wholly owned subsidiary called Candu Energy Inc.
Phase 1 Executive Summary: Pre-Project Review of AECL’s Enhanced Candu – EC 6 (PDF, April 2010)
Phase 2: Executive Summary: Pre-Project Review of Candu Energy’s Enhanced Candu – EC 6 (PDF, April 2012)
Phase 3: Executive Summary: Pre-Project Review of Candu Energy’s EC6TM Reactor Design (PDF, June 2013)
Westinghouse – AP1000:
Phase 1 Executive Summary: Pre-Project Review of Westinghouse’s Advanced Passive Plant Design (AP1000TM) (PDF, January 2010)
Phase 2: Executive Summary: Pre-Project Review of Westinghouse’s Advanced Passive Plan Design (AP1000TM) (PDF, June 2013)
ATMEA – ATMEA1:
Phase 1: Executive Summary: Pre-Project Review of ATMEA’s ATEMA1 Reactor (PDF, June 2013)
AREVA – EPR:
Phase 1 Review terminated effective December 27, 2012
AECL – ACR-1000:
Phase 1 Executive Summary: Pre-Project Review of AECL’s Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR-1000) (PDF, December 2008)
Phase 2 Executive Summary: Pre-Project Review of AECL’s Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR-1000) (PDF, August 2009)
Phase 3 Executive Summary: Pre-Project Review of AECL’s Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR-1000) (PDF, December 2010)
SOURCES – Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Written By Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
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