Nuclear

Challenge

As we transition to a low-carbon economy, nuclear must be considered as a key component of the energy mix that is required to meet the growing demand.

Nuclear energy means sustainable and accessible power for all. It offers a reliable source of baseload emission-free energy safely, while providing stability to a power distribution grid that is being tested like never before. The next generation of reactor designs are on the brink of commercialization and new markets are emerging. Innovative thinking in life extension means you can get more out of your existing assets. And while concerns related to safety, decommissioning, and storage have merit, ground-breaking advances are leading to safer, more practical nuclear operations. With nuclear, the possibilities are endless for our greener future.

Big. Small. New. Refurbished. Whatever your plans, whatever your scope. We can help.

Capabilities

Uranium fuel fabrication

Hatch has direct project execution experience in uranium mining. This includes optimization of the mine and the associated buildings and services.

We offer our clients integrated applications that apply to all aspects of resource project development and have in-depth knowledge and global experience in uranium processing, including refinement, conversion, and nuclear fuel fabrication.

Regulatory requirements, codes, and standards

Understanding and respect for regulatory environments and expectations are paramount. We’re agile and flexible, always meeting or exceeding these requirements. Hatch has expertise and experience both in working and interfacing with a number of regulatory authorities. Many of our professionals contribute to technical, regulatory, and standards oversights committees and groups.

Nuclear—new builds and refurbishments

We’ve been participants in the nuclear industry for many years, both in Canada and abroad. Our clients benefit from our extensive experience with a wide array of new nuclear construction and refurbishments projects, particularly in the CANDU space. We go beyond design basis to ensure safe and efficient projects that consider fire protection, seismicity, security design, and human factor or radiation safety.

Small modular reactors (SMRs)

Small modular reactors are an emerging class of nuclear reactors designed to be built in modules, with each module producing less power than a conventional nuclear power plant unit. We’ve been involved in supporting the development and evaluation of SMR’s as a flexible, greenhouse-gas emission free source of on-grid or off-grid power since 2012. SMRs can also provide a high-grade heat source for heavy industry which may enable new technologies or provide efficiency to existing operations that traditional nuclear reactors are not well suited for. As we seek to tackle climate change and create a carbon-free future, we’re working with SMR vendors, utilities, heavy industry, industry regulators, and governments to support their development, licensing, and implementation.

Operations support

To improve our clients’ bottom lines, we offer smarter and more efficient solutions to operating issues, and support their delivery strategies by improving operating business. These include support for obsolescence issues and minimizing outage durations and impacts.

Research and technology development

Working together with owners, regulators, and industry associations, we have contributed substantially to the nuclear operating experience and body of knowledge. Hatch was founded as a technology development organization—at the core, we’re innovators, always looking for the next, better solution. Some of our best nuclear specialists are now working on new nuclear technologies, such as SMRs and PBMRs.

Nuclear waste management and long-term storage

For the management of low-, intermediate-, and high-level waste products from nuclear energy production and used fuel dry storage, we’ve partnered with our clients to develop tools and methods.

Canada is well-positioned to benefit from its competitive position within the nuclear industry globally – from the fuel supply chain through to power generation, research facilities, and nuclear expertise. The need for a strong nuclear sector is growing as scalable, emissions-free nuclear power gains recognition as a vital technology to combat climate change, as countries around the world seek ways to ensure energy security, and as the electrification of the economy progresses. The support of government, industry, and the financial sector will determine the viability and ultimate success of Canada’s existing nuclear infrastructure and implementation of new nuclear technologies, refurbishment projects, SMR development, projects in the fuel supply chain, as well as expanding research and development capabilities.

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Blogs

Design coordination and its role in digital project delivery

Chris Bak

As the digital project delivery landscape shifts, design coordinator roles must stay agile. How can we overcome these obstacles when deadlines are tight and stakes are high?

Tackling the energy trilemma—globally

Beth Buckmaster

The energy trilemma isn’t new within the industry, but more than ever the concept is now at the forefront of our planning and designs. Are organizations addressing its importance?

New dawn: The new circular net-zero age

Adel Muna

We're in new territory. A new dawn where we have experienced war, crisis frameworks, and a demand for energy transformation. Is there a need to speed up the net-zero industrial transformation?