Westinghouse begins Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission review of microreactor

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Cranberry Township, Penn.-based Westinghouse Electric Company announced Wednesday that it has submitted the first set of vendor design review documents (VDR) for its eVinci microreactor to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

The review will enable early identification and resolution for any regulatory and technical issues as the microreactor works its way through the design process. The four Phase 1 Focus Area documents were submitted on June 30. Overall, the company said, it will file more than 40 submissions during Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the VDR process.

“Westinghouse has a more than 70-year history of licensing and deploying nuclear reactors. Taking these vital first steps with the regulator marks an important milestone as we successfully accelerate the development of this game-changing technology,” said Jon Ball, Westinghouse President for eVinci Microreactor.

The company is also planning to submit reports for joint review under the Memorandum of Cooperation between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the CNSC, focusing on selected design aspects of the eVinci microreactor – an innovative design that is aimed to bring carbon-free, safe and scalable energy to remote communities, universities, mining operations, industrial centers, data centers, defense facilities and other areas.

Officials said its design will allow for power systems from several kilowatts to 5 megawatts of electricity to be delivered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for more than 8 years without refueling.