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Too small to be viable? The potential market for small modular reactors in mining and remote communities in Canada

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  • Froese, Sarah
  • Kunz, Nadja C.
  • Ramana, M.V.

Abstract

Small modular reactors have been proposed as an alternative energy supply option for electrified processes in remote mining projects and communities in Canada, which currently have a high reliance on diesel fuel generators. This paper examines the size of this potential market for SMRs by quantifying the electricity demand for remote mining projects, late-stage exploration projects, and remote communities that are not connected to the central electricity grid. The paper also calculates the Levelized Cost Of Energy for SMRs and other energy alternatives including diesel, solar, wind, and a diesel-wind hybrid option.

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  • Froese, Sarah & Kunz, Nadja C. & Ramana, M.V., 2020. "Too small to be viable? The potential market for small modular reactors in mining and remote communities in Canada," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:144:y:2020:i:c:s030142152030327x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111587
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    5. Steigerwald, Björn & Weibezahn, Jens & Slowik, Martin & von Hirschhausen, Christian, 2023. "Uncertainties in estimating production costs of future nuclear technologies: A model-based analysis of small modular reactors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).

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