Tag Archives: Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd

Canada Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Nuclear Power Generation

June 4, 2012 – 04:18

The Canadian nuclear industry today celebrates the 50^th anniversary of nuclear power generation in Canada!

On June 4^th, 1962, in Rolphton, Ontario, the Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD) reactor began supplying electricity to the Ontario grid, producing enough electricity to power 10,000 homes. Today, nuclear power generation supplies 15 % of Canada’s safe, clean, and reliable electricity, and almost 60% in Ontario alone.

Birds-eye view of NPD

“This historic achievement marks an important milestone in Canada’s leadership in nuclear energy and technology,” said Denise Carpenter, Canadian Nuclear Association President and CEO. “The NPD was made possible through the combined expertise and innovation of several companies we know today, such as AECL, and with the support and direction of the National Research Council.”

One of NPD’s essential roles was as a prototype for Canada’s homegrown CANDU technology as it was the first heavy-water power reactor in the world. It used Canadian natural uranium and assumed the horizontal pressure-tube arrangement, which is characteristic of all CANDU units to this day. This made NPD the first commercial power reactor to have a completely replaceable core, and the first to refuel while operating at full power – both signature CANDU traits.

In the five decades since, Canada’s CANDU nuclear fleet has grown to include 20 reactors with two more planned at Darlington in Ontario to help the province achieve its clean energy goals – similarly, this was the goal when nuclear energy was developed 50 years ago to compete with coal.

“Today also marks the kick-off of Canadian Environment Week,” added Carpenter. “This is particularly significant since nuclear energy provides a clean and reliable source of power that is an important part of Canada’s clean energy portfolio.”

The role of nuclear in Canada goes far beyond being a safe, clean, affordable, available, and reliable source of energy. Nuclear has an important role to play in medicine, research, food safety, highly-skilled jobs, and makes crucial contributions to other industries across the Canadian economy.

The women and men who worked to give us the gift of the clean, reliable, affordable nuclear power generation we enjoy today. Thank you!

The NPD was shut down in 1987 after having exceeded its operational goals. Our thanks to the women and men who brought us this strong symbol of Canadian innovation for a powerful, clean energy future.

For more information about nuclear in Canada and around the world, please visit CNA’s Factbook.

Additional Info:

AECL marks 50th anniversary of nuclear power in Canada – June 4, 2012

50th anniversary of nuclear power in Canada observed at UOIT – April 9, 2012

Tags AECL, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd, CANDU, Denise Carpenter, Food Safety, Jobs, medicine, NPD, Nuclear Power Demonstration, research | Permalink | Comment (1)

Nuclear News Nuclear Outreach Nuclear Pride Nuclear R&D Waste Management

Express your interest in AECL

March 28, 2012 – 16:10

On February 9, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources launched a process inviting Expressions of Interest in the activities of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s (AECL’s) Nuclear Laboratories. This process will allow the Government to benefit from the experiences of organizations, domestic or international, involved in the management or restructuring of nuclear science and technology or radioactive waste management.

The government indicated that information gathered through this process will help inform the AECL restructuring process. The deadline for submissions is April 2.

This is obviously an important opportunity for our member organizations to present their views to the Government on this key issue.

This is your opportunity to have a say in the future of our nuclear science and technology industry. As a member of Canada’s nuclear community, you have valuable experience and knowledge to share towards informing the process that will determine the future of the labs. If you do nothing more than express your confidence in the future of Canada’s nuclear science and technology industry, you will have played an important part in this process.

You can write to the Honourable Minister Joe Oliver at:

Honourable Joe Oliver, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Natural Resources
162 Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6
Email: joe.oliver@parl.gc.ca

We at TalkNUclear are always interested in hearing your views on this and other issues of collective interest to our industry. Will you make a submission?

Tags AECL, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd, chalk river, Joe Oliver, Natural Resources Canada, NR Can, S&T, science, technology | Permalink | Comment (0)

Sponsor Spotlight on Atomic Energy of Canada Limited – 2012 CNA Conference and Trade Show

February 14, 2012 – 05:01

Sponsor Spotlight

Background

Company Name: Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL)
Date Established: Feb 14, 1952
Industry category: R&D in Nuclear Science and Technology
Number of employees: 3200
Does your company have operations outside of Canada: Yes
If so, where and what do you do there: Where there are CANDU reactors, AECL has a presence.

Description:
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is Canada’s leading nuclear science and technology laboratory. For 60 years, AECL has been a world leader in developing peaceful and innovative applications from nuclear technology through its expertise in physics, metallurgy, chemistry, biology and engineering. Highly skilled employees enthusiastically deliver a range of nuclear services – ranging from research and development, design and engineering for specialized technology, waste management and decommissioning. Today, AECL continues its commitment to ensure that Canadians and the world receive energy, health, environmental and economic benefits from nuclear science and technology with confidence that nuclear safety and security are assured.

Happy 60th Anniversary!
AECL turns 60 on February 14.

For over half a century, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) has fulfilled a critical mandate on behalf of Canadians. In fact, February 14 of this year marked the 60th anniversary of the creation of AECL as a federal Crown Corporation. Since our early beginnings as the birthplace of Canada’s nuclear industry, we have pioneered the use of nuclear science and technology to make this country stronger. Scientific and technological advances that once seemed inconceivable, such as nuclear medicine to fight cancer, or nuclear energy to power our homes, have now become a part of our daily lives.

Today, we are the knowledge leader of the Canadian nuclear industry – a vital national resource with a world-class workforce and unique facilities that, together, continue to strengthen Canada through nuclear science and technology. AECL continues to develop peaceful and innovative applications from nuclear technology through its expertise in physics, metallurgy, chemistry, biology and engineering. Highly skilled employees enthusiastically deliver a range of nuclear services – ranging from research and development, design and engineering for specialized technology, waste management and decommissioning.

The Nuclear Laboratories provide access to the unique environment needed to develop the advanced workforce of the future., and AECL supports the development of highly qualified people for the public sector, private sector and academia strengthening Canada’s workforce for a knowledge-based economy.

AECL can help advance the innovation agendas of industry and academic partners, and we welcome opportunities to collaborate. For more information, please stop by our booth at the CNA Conference or visit our website.

Check out our milestones achieved in 2011.

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