The Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) and the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Nuclear Research Centre (ANRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the first international partner for the Ontario-based centre of excellence. This MOU will be the foundation to expand discussions to ink international work in the area of operations, inspections and other nuclear innovations.

The signing, which occurred Tuesday evening in Kincardine at a dinner of community leaders and industry representatives, came on the eve of the Innovation Showcase: Nuclear Asset Management and Industrial Informatics, a two-day event in Toronto on Thursday and Friday that will bring together senior leaders from suppliers and utilities, regulators, senior government policy makers, nuclear engineers, and professionals from organizations focused on high performance/reliability and academics.

“The Innovation Showcase is the first collaborative opportunity between NII and ANRC to bring the world’s nuclear industry here to Ontario,” said Frank Saunders, President of the Nuclear Innovation Institute. “Building relationships with partners like the ANRC is an important step for NII as we work towards creating an applied research facility that will advance collaboration and research.”

The ANRC and NII expect the new partnership will bring synergies that will strengthen the two organizations and further enhance the benefits they could bring to Bruce Power, Bruce County, and the nuclear community in Ontario and internationally. NII and the ANRC will also collaborate on to-be-determined trial projects.

“Innovation is key to continued and reliable delivery of low carbon electricity from the nuclear energy sector,” said Duncan Hawthorne, Chairman of the Advanced Nuclear Research Centre. “The ANRC is focused on delivering high-quality research that underpins and drives this innovation. We welcome the development of the NII and look forward to collaborating with it to support the growth and effectiveness of the nuclear energy sector in Canada, the UK and internationally.“

Professor Graham Wren, of the University of Strathclyde, added, “We are delighted to support the launch of NII and look forward to working with Bruce Power colleagues, the Canadian nuclear industry and academic sectors, in particular working to support localization of services and new educational programs with the opportunities to connect to global initiatives.”

For Bruce County, today’s announcement enhances support to the partnership established between the County and Bruce Power for NII, which will support and enhance innovation, trades and skilled workforce development, and business advancement opportunities.

“This is a great opportunity for Bruce County to have the Nuclear Innovation Institute partner with a leader in nuclear research, which can provide expertise and experience as we build a world-class nuclear research institute in rural Ontario,” said Mitch Twolan, Warden of Bruce County.

source: media release, Nuclear Innovation Institute