The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), Canada's second-largest research and technology organization, is poised to become the first customer for Westinghouse's eVinci microreactor. The commercial laboratory announced its plans to pilot the flagship 5-MWe/13-MWth "nuclear battery" by 2029, supported by CA$80 million in government funding. The exact location of the eVinci microreactor is yet to be determined, subject to licensing and regulatory requirements.

The pilot project is a significant step for Westinghouse, as the eVinci microreactor marks its entry into advanced nuclear reactor deployment in Saskatchewan. The province's utility, SaskPower, has already chosen GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy's 300-MW BWRX-300 for potential nuclear units, with construction scheduled to begin as early as 2030. However, the eVinci demonstration, if completed on schedule, would make it Saskatchewan's first advanced nuclear reactor.

The Canadian federal government has been actively supporting the development of the eVinci microreactor, having awarded Westinghouse a CA$27.2 million grant from its Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) last year. The investment aims to combat climate change and strengthen Canada's leadership in small modular reactors (SMRs).

SRC President and CEO Mike Crabtree expressed excitement about the project, stating that it will lay the groundwork for future microreactor projects and assist communities and industries in utilizing this technology. SRC, having previously operated the SLOWPOKE-2 nuclear research reactor, sees the eVinci microreactor as a distributed energy alternative to diesel-powered generators, providing industrial-grade heat and supporting remote mining operations, remote communities, and various industries.

The eVinci microreactor's innovative design features several safety measures and is based on a fully passive heat pipe-cooled system that utilizes high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) in TRISO form. It is a very small modular reactor that keeps its size compact—about half the size of a hockey rink—and does not require pressurization or have moving parts, making it inherently safe and ideal for decentralized generation markets.

To prepare for market readiness by 2027, Westinghouse has been rapidly advancing its eVinci business activities. The company recently manufactured a 12-foot heat pipe at its facility in Pennsylvania and established eVinci Technologies as a separate business unit. Furthermore, Westinghouse launched a new design and manufacturing facility in Pittsburgh to support engineering, testing, and prototype trials.

The next critical step for Westinghouse is to obtain a license for the eVinci microreactor. The company has already submitted detailed technical white papers and topical reports on the reactor's safety aspects to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), paving the way for a license submission under 10 CFR Part 52. Through partnerships and collaborations, Westinghouse is working towards scaling up the eVinci technology and demonstrating its core performance for successful commercial deployment.

With the SRC's commitment to pilot the eVinci microreactor and the substantial government funding provided, Westinghouse is positioned to showcase the capabilities of its groundbreaking nuclear battery and accelerate the adoption of advanced nuclear technologies in Saskatchewan.