A professor at the University of New Brunswick emphasizes the necessity of incorporating nuclear energy to meet the increasing energy demand in the province in the upcoming years. William Cook, the director of UNB’s Center for Nuclear Energy Research, highlights the importance of establishing a comprehensive nuclear engineering degree program at the university to address the workforce requirements for new and existing power generation assets.
The university’s newly operational Advanced Nuclear Reactors Laboratory, developed over eight years on the Fredericton campus, facilitates research on material interactions in simulated nuclear reactor environments. The facility supports graduate students and scientists in studying degradation mechanisms, primarily corrosion, to prevent system failures over time.
Cook underscores the university’s current offerings of around eight to 10 nuclear engineering courses within chemical or mechanical engineering degrees and advocates for a specialized nuclear engineering program to fulfill the anticipated workforce demands. New Brunswick, alongside Ontario, is one of the two Canadian provinces with nuclear reactors, emphasizing the urgency to train a new generation of workers as the average age of nuclear workers in Canada is 55.
The provincial government has shown interest in nuclear projects, including the potential establishment of a second power plant at Point Lepreau. Despite challenges faced by companies like Moltex and ARC Clean Energy in meeting project timelines, the government is exploring opportunities for nuclear expansion as part of the Eastern Energy Partnership initiative.
While nuclear energy expansion receives support, critics like Green Party leader David Coon question the province’s focus on nuclear energy and its alignment with academic research. Cook defends the university’s collaborations with industry, highlighting the expertise provided by professors and the practical training opportunities for students.
Furthermore, Cook addresses the issue of managing spent nuclear fuel, emphasizing the potential of advanced nuclear reactors to reduce the storage timeline by utilizing the energy content in long-lived products. The university aims to optimize energy utilization processes through its research initiatives.