Bruce Power to reach new peak in nuclear power output
The world’s largest nuclear facility is growing its peak output.
As of Thursday, Bruce Power says its eight unit nuclear plant, located along the shores of Lake Huron near Kincardine, Ont., can produce 6550 MW of electricity, 250 MW more than the previous peak.
“As part of our life extension program, we’re replacing components with new components that are more efficient, more effective and more modern,” said Bruce Power CEO, Mike Renchek. “So, we’re able to get more power out of that unit, as a result.”
Bruce Power can’t technically reach its new peak yet, because the company is currently refurbishing six of the eight nuclear units, as part of a 15 year, $13 billion project, swapping out most of the parts of each reactor, one a time.
Rencheck says they are planning to reach 7000 MW of peak production by 2030, through efficiencies, as well as using new technologies, which could include integration with storage and possibly other forms of energy.
“We’ll effectively be adding a reactor and half of energy, by the time we’re done in 2033,” said Rencheck.
The increased output from Bruce Power, which currently produces 34 per cent of Ontario’s electricity, is music to the ears of the province’s Energy Minister, Todd Smith.
“When it comes to investing in nuclear, it’s a big decision. Our government is 100 per cent behind our nuclear sector because we can rely on it. It’s providing reliable, affordable, clean energy solutions that we need in Ontario,” said Smith.
But, Bruce Power has recently run into issues with some of its pressure tubes. Earlier this summer, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission says pressure tube “hydrogen equivalent concentration” levels or HEQ, exceeded licensing limits in two of Bruce’s reactors.
Pressure tubes with high HEQ levels are at risk of developing cracks, which could cause them to fracture.
Rencheck says he’s confident the current pressure tubes and new pressure tubes, which will be installed over the next 10 years, will be able to withstand the anticipated increased energy output.
“The pressure tubes are being replaced as part of our life extension program. When we’re done, they’ll effectively be brand new units. We looked at the pressure tubes, very extensively,” he explained.
More power also means Bruce Power could be increasing the amount of medical isotopes produced. The plant currently produce isotopes used to sterilize medical equipment and cancer treatments. Bruce Power’s isotopes currently sterilize 40 per cent of the world’s single-use medical devices.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.
First in Canada procedure performed at London, Ont. hospital
A London man has become the first person in Canada to receive a robotic assisted surgery on his spine. Dave Myeh suffered from debilitating, chronic back pain that led to sciatica in his right now and extreme pain in his lower back.