McMaster and Westinghouse discuss collaborations in SMR research and development

Last week, President of Westinghouse Electric Canada Inc., Eddie Saab, and a team from Westinghouse Electric Canada visited McMaster University to explore collaborations in support of WEC’s eVinci SMR development and deployment plan.

“We had a great workshop with the Westinghouse team, and we are looking forward to contributing our research expertise and our unique suite of nuclear facilities in support of the Westinghouse eVinci program,” says Dave Tucker, McMaster’s Assistant Vice-President, Research (Nuclear). “As Canada’s Nuclear University, we have an important role to play in supporting SMR development and deployment across the nation.”

Westinghouse is currently developing the eVinci™ micro-reactor – a small modular reactor designed to supply clean and reliable power to consumers in remote communities and industrial decarbonization applications. They were recently awarded funding through the SIF program to advance planning for deployment of the technology in Canada.

Westinghouse and McMaster are exploring short and long-term areas for collaboration. In particular, McMaster has capabilities to test materials under irradiation and at high temperatures, as well as provide support in manufacturing with novel materials.

The teams continue to build on discussions to create student work experiences that will help shape the next generation of highly qualified and trained professionals in SMR research, development, and deployment.

“This is an amazing time of opportunity for students in nuclear,” says Rachelle Ireson, Manager of Talent Partnership and Employer Relations at the Faculty of Engineering’s Co-op and Career Services. “Opportunities to work alongside industry leaders like Westinghouse will ensure we meet the current and future needs of the nuclear energy industry.”

The Westinghouse team visited the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute, the Centre for Advanced Nuclear Systems, and the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, and met with McMaster experts, including Dave Novog, John Luxat, John Preston and Stephen Veldhuis.