Toronto, Canada – Kinectrics proposes to design, build and
operate a world-class campus for innovation in clean energy, known as Helius. The
focus of this campus will be on the development, testing, qualification and
long-term support of clean energy technologies. This campus will be enabled by
collaboration with Canada’s leading research institutions, industry, technology
developers, and organizations focused on the future of global energy, with a
common goal between collaborators of ensuring a clean, reliable, affordable
low-carbon energy future.
“Kinectrics is excited to be leading the way in supporting
the development, testing and commercialization of SMRs, providing the critical
infrastructure required to accelerate their introduction around the world. This
initiative will help to create long term jobs in Ontario,” says
David Harris, President and CEO of Kinectrics.
Development of advanced small modular reactor (SMR) designs,
including High Temperature Gas Reactors (HTGR), requires specialized infrastructure
that is not currently available. Testing of reactor components, and large-scale
experiments and models of product steam uses, are required to assure performance and technology readiness of
reactor components, develop
reliable predictive models for design and safety analysis, demonstrate performance and
qualification of SSCs; and mitigate technical, schedule, and project risk.
“There’s
really no facility like Helius in Canada or in North America,” says Katherine Moshonas Cole,
President of X-energy Canada. “Our Xe-100 SMR is a Generation IV HTGR.
Helius will allow us to test the safety and performance requirements of our
systems and components in high temperature environments. The facility will also
enable us to demonstrate Xe-100’s high temperature steam for hydrogen
production and direct industrial uses.
These capabilities are critical for Canada’s plans for a net-zero future.”
Helius will include:
• Flexible
and adaptable facilities with collaborative space for R&D, testing, and
scale-up of a variety of clean energy technologies
• Helium,
molten salt, and steam loops with operating temperatures between 200°C to
1100°C
• District
heating, greenhouse agriculture, and hydrogen generation and storage facilities
The proposed site of Helius is alongside Kinectrics’
existing laboratories in Toronto, Ontario, creating one of the most
comprehensive technology demonstration and testing facilities in the world.
R&D facilities such as this provide opportunities for future generations of
engineers, scientists and nuclear operators to study and train.
Learn more about Helius and how you can join this initiative
here.