New Nuclear Lab at UNB Aims to Meet Future Energy Demands

The University of New Brunswick (UNB) has launched a new Advanced Nuclear Reactors Laboratory to prepare for the province’s increasing energy demands. Director of the Centre for Nuclear Energy Research, William Cook, emphasizes that a comprehensive nuclear engineering degree program at UNB is essential to train the next generation of workers in this expanding sector.

As New Brunswick anticipates a doubling of its electricity needs over the coming decades, Cook states, “When we start building new generating assets, and trying to keep the current-generation capacity operating, we need new workers to come in.” The laboratory, operational for about one month, has been under development for eight years on the Fredericton campus and is equipped with advanced tools for research on materials in environments similar to those found in nuclear reactors.

Addressing Skills Gaps and Industry Needs

UNB currently offers around eight to ten nuclear engineering courses available to students pursuing degrees in chemical or mechanical engineering. Cook advocates for a full nuclear engineering program to address the anticipated workforce demands. “The time is right to expand our opportunities,” he remarks, highlighting the university’s established relationships with industry players, including the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station.

In Canada, New Brunswick and Ontario are the only provinces with operational nuclear reactors. The industry faces a significant challenge, as the average age of a nuclear worker in the country is currently 55 years. Cook believes that enhancing educational offerings in this field will be vital for sustaining and growing the nuclear workforce.

The Atlantic Centre for Energy’s executive director, Michelle Robichaud, supports the initiative, arguing that a focus on nuclear energy will also benefit related fields such as cybersecurity and green manufacturing. “It’s all those other components that are going to be really important as we evolve and transition toward a cleaner energy future,” she states.

Government Support and Industry Challenges

Recent government interest in nuclear projects signals potential for expansion. Plans for a second power plant at Point Lepreau have been discussed, alongside federal investments in small modular reactors (SMRs) by Moltex and ARC Clean Energy. Despite these advancements, challenges have emerged, indicating that the timeline for implementing SMRs by 2030 may be ambitious.

Cook notes that while the provincial government is keen on nuclear initiatives, it will require collaboration from UNB’s administration and the recruitment of knowledgeable faculty to develop the proposed nuclear engineering program fully. He asserts that “the capabilities now that we have with the new and existing labs allow us to support all sorts of different reactor technologies.”

Despite the optimism surrounding nuclear expansion, criticism persists. David Coon, leader of the province’s Green Party, has voiced concerns regarding the direction of nuclear initiatives and advocates for a broader exploration of research opportunities without industry constraints.

In response, Cook defends the university’s approach, asserting that faculty members are “world-leading experts” whose research contributes significantly to both academia and industry. He highlights the laboratory’s potential to innovate in handling spent nuclear fuel, which poses long-term storage challenges. “Advanced nuclear reactors and Generation IV systems have the capability to shorten the timeline for spent fuel storage by actively utilizing the energy content in long-lived products,” Cook explains.

As New Brunswick positions itself as a key player in Canada’s energy landscape, the development of educational programs and research facilities is crucial. The collaborative efforts between the government, industry, and academia will likely shape the province’s energy future.