Russian scientist proposes small nuclear plants as clean northern energy source

As people and governments in Canada's North pay skyrocketing fuel prices to meet their energy needs, a Russian scientist at this week's Canadian Arctic Summit is proposing so-called mini-nuclear reactors as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.

Many northern communities, especially in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, burn diesel to produce electricity — a practice that is not only expensive, but also contributes to climate change, an issue that worries northern leaders.

"The use of diesel is huge," Yellowknife-area MLA Bob Bromley told CBC News.

"We are also the first in line to receive the full impacts of climate change, and that's happening in spades here."

Bromley said the N.W.T. government is looking for alternatives to diesel to reduce costs and cut emissions.

Aleksey Ostrovsky, a physicist with the Russian consulting firm Alliance Group, said his country is developing small nuclear reactors, using technology similar to those used on icebreaker vessels and submarines.

The mini-reactors would be small enough to be delivered to communities on barges or tractor-trailers, but powerful enough to provide energy to about 7,000 homes.

"We believe it is a very convenient source of energy, ecologically clean and very flexible," Ostrovsky told CBC News on Wednesday, at the start of the Canadian Arctic Summit in Edmonton.

Once the reactors are transported to the communities, they would be well-contained and there's little risk of an accident, Ostrovsky said.

The biggest safety concern, he added, would be the yearly transport of nuclear fuel to the batteries.

But Ostrovsky said the risk is worth taking because there are few other options for clean energy production in the North.

"This technology is well-tested, quite safe and Russia has very good experience in this small, little-power nuclear plant," he said.

Earlier this year, Nunavut MLA Levi Barnabas also suggested implementing small nuclear reactors in remote communities.

Exec claims dark-pool volumes are hyped

Merrill ARS customers to get money in a year

Nuclear location decision expected next month

B.C. nets $441 million windfall from oil and gas rights