Future of Nuclear Industry in Canada

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the future of the nuclear industry in Canada, particularly in light of recent events such as the Fukushima disaster, the departure of Bruce Power from Alberta, and the sale of CANDU reactors to SNC-Lavalin. Participants explore the implications for nuclear engineering as a career path and the potential for a nuclear renaissance amidst public skepticism and safety concerns.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern about the future of nuclear energy in Canada, citing the impact of past nuclear disasters and public fear as significant barriers to the industry's growth.
  • Others argue that nuclear power is essential for meeting the energy needs of a growing global population, suggesting that the demand for nuclear engineers will increase in the future.
  • A participant mentions the importance of improving reactor safety and learning from past mistakes to ensure the industry's viability.
  • There is a suggestion that pursuing a diverse skill set, including control systems and instrumentation, could be beneficial for future nuclear engineers, as these skills are valuable across various engineering disciplines.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the timeline for nuclear plant construction and public acceptance, questioning whether a nuclear renaissance is feasible in the near future.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the future of the nuclear industry in Canada. While some believe in the potential for a nuclear renaissance, others highlight significant challenges and public opposition that may hinder this outcome.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the influence of historical events on public perception and the industry's future, but there are differing views on the extent to which these factors will affect demand for nuclear engineers and the feasibility of new nuclear projects.

doublemint
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Give what happened in Japan, Bruce Power leaving Alberta and CANDU reactors sold to SNC-Lavalin, what do you guys think?

I am planning to do graduate studies in Nuke Eng, but given what is going on Canada, I might have to rethink my plans, unless you guys believe some sort of nuclear renaissance will happen.

DM
 
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I cannot see anything that would provide the energy that 7+ billion people need other than nuclear.
Imho this is a little bit like coming into Wall Street after the 1974 bear market, a great time to be getting really good at the profession, because by the time you graduate, the need will be even more inescapable.
 
doublemint said:
Give what happened in Japan, Bruce Power leaving Alberta and CANDU reactors sold to SNC-Lavalin, what do you guys think?

I am planning to do graduate studies in Nuke Eng, but given what is going on Canada, I might have to rethink my plans, unless you guys believe some sort of nuclear renaissance will happen.

Thanks to previous generation on nuclear industry as a whole which failed to prevent large-scale disasters, nuclear power generation seriously risks eventually being supplanted by renewables.

I hope after F1 nuclear industry will finally understand: meltdowns are NOT tolerable - politically and socially. They must be prevented. Reactors must be made safer still. If nuclear industry will get it, then it maybe still has a chance.
 
I personally thnk there will be a nuclear renaissance but I'm no "see-er".

If nuclear power interests you, consider take control courses and look into instrumentation side of things.
In US a typical power plant employs just a couple nuclear engineers but scores of mechanical and electrical. Somebody who has knowledge of electronics, control theory, some basic mechanical (Statics & dynamics & strength of materials) and fundamentals of reactor physics is quite useful to a plant not only just those skills but as a catalyst, helping other disciplines cpmmunicate.
And those skills would transfer to any mechanized industry.

Synergy. It makes industry run smoother.
 
etudiant said:
I cannot see anything that would provide the energy that 7+ billion people need other than nuclear.
Imho this is a little bit like coming into Wall Street after the 1974 bear market, a great time to be getting really good at the profession, because by the time you graduate, the need will be even more inescapable.

I like the sound of this. However, I find that many people (the general public) are frighten by nuclear activists causing them to go against building any nuclear power plants.
There was a poster I saw at my university that said many people in Alberta are against nuclear power especially after Fukushima. Furthermore, these power plants take a very long time to build.
So I am skeptical about whether if there will be a great demand for nuclear engineers/scientists when I graduate.

jim hardy said:
I personally thnk there will be a nuclear renaissance but I'm no "see-er".

If nuclear power interests you, consider take control courses and look into instrumentation side of things.
In US a typical power plant employs just a couple nuclear engineers but scores of mechanical and electrical. Somebody who has knowledge of electronics, control theory, some basic mechanical (Statics & dynamics & strength of materials) and fundamentals of reactor physics is quite useful to a plant not only just those skills but as a catalyst, helping other disciplines cpmmunicate.
And those skills would transfer to any mechanized industry.

Synergy. It makes industry run smoother.

Thats a good idea. I think I could take some of those courses during my masters..
 

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