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
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States, injuring at least three people.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.