CNL releases exciting vision for the Chalk River Laboratories

Video: A planned investment of more than $1.2 billion in the facilities and infrastructure of the Chalk River Laboratories will enable the revitalization of the campus and the construction of modern, efficient buildings and world-class research laboratories.

A planned investment of more than $1.2 billion in the facilities and infrastructure of the Chalk River Laboratories will enable the revitalization of the campus and the construction of modern, efficient buildings and world-class research laboratories. (CNW Group/Canadian Nuclear Laboratories)

CHALK RIVER, ON, May 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Recently, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) announced its long-term strategy and vision for the future of Canada's premier nuclear laboratory.  This is an exciting step for CNL, and one which many across Canada's scientific and nuclear community have been waiting for. This strategy outlines a vision for CNL over the next ten years, which positions the organization as a global leader in nuclear science and technology; an organization that is commercially successful, respected for its scientific capabilities, and home to world-leading expertise based out of a modern, efficient and collaborative campus environment.

This strategy wasn't developed in isolation.  It reflects input from global leaders in nuclear science, from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, from current customers and others in the nuclear supply chain, from our local communities and stakeholders, and from our own staff. The long-term strategy identifies those areas where CNL is uniquely equipped, and applies these strengths against what the world needs in nuclear, building on our legacy as a global leader in nuclear science.

The strategy is a forward-looking document, and includes many projects that are subject to rigorous licencing and regulatory processes.

Highlights include:

• An investment of more than $1.2 billion over ten years in the facilities and infrastructure of the Chalk River Laboratories.  This investment enables:
• the construction the Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre, a complex which will include new shielded facilities, and many advanced active laboratories for research involving active or irradiated materials;
• a new electrical switchyard, expanded natural gas service, potable water lines, and sanitary sewer system, all of which improve the safety and reliability of the current systems; and,
• construction of modern, energy efficient facilities to accommodate maintenance and operations activities, logistics and security, and a new business centre.

• An exciting program in science and technology which includes ambitious goals such as:
• the siting of a new, small modular reactor on the CRL site by 2026;
• development and demonstration of a suite of targeted alpha therapy compounds (an emerging medical isotope technology) by 2022;
• expansion of our program in hydrogen, with a goal to play a leading role in the demonstration of hydrogen-based bulk transport by 2020;
• demonstration of a new advanced fuel fabrication concept by 2020; and
• the development, commercialization and deployment of a nuclear industrial control cyber intrusion detection and mitigation system by 2022.
• Details on the work to address legacy waste and nuclear liabilities, while preparing the campus for a period of significant revitalization.

CNL's Long Term Strategy and Executive Summary are available for download at www.CNL.ca.

Quotes:

"From my first day at CNL, I have faced questions – important and valid questions – about the direction the company is headed, about what our science programs will look like, about how the site will evolve, about our waste and environmental projects, and yes, about what our workforce will look like. We now have those answers."

"These documents are, and will remain, a work in progress. This is "Rev 0" and the strategy will evolve as our needs evolve; they will change as our customers' needs change; they will develop as our capabilities develop, but this is an important first step on our journey towards a new vision for CNL and the Chalk River campus."

Mark Lesinski, President and CEO

"Canada's nuclear industry is a major contributor to our economy and to Canada's status as a world leader in clean, low-emitting electricity. We are pleased to support the ambitious plan that Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is pursuing to leverage the expertise and capacity at Chalk River Laboratories to drive nuclear innovation and new opportunities for economic growth and job creation."

Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

We have given CNL an ambitious goal to revitalize the Chalk River Laboratories, grow its nuclear science and technology stature domestically and internationally, and safely and efficiently tackle complex decommissioning and radioactive waste management challenges. The long-term plan is CNL's road map to get us there.

Richard Sexton, President and CEO, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

"New nuclear plants are being built all over the world, and I believe that CNL can enable Canadian industry to succeed in this arena. Our scientists and engineers understand what it takes to bring a technology from design to deployment. They can take their technical skills and apply them to developing something that is practical for industry – and that makes us a unique resource. "

Dr. Kathryn McCarthy, Vice-President, Research & Development

Supporting Media:

Photos and site renderings to accompany this story are available for download at CNL's flickr site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cnl_lnc

About CNL

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear science and technology offering unique capabilities and solutions across a wide range of industries.  Actively involved with industry-driven research and development in nuclear, transportation, clean technology, energy, defence, security and life sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors competitive internationally. 

With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused mandate, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the future.  A new performance standard reinforced with a strong safety culture underscores every activity.

For more information on the complete range of services Canadian Nuclear Laboratories please visit www.cnl.ca or contact [email protected].

SOURCE Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Patrick Quinn, Director, Corporate Communications, CNL, 1-866-886-2325

Related Links

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