While nuclear plants have high initial costs, their operational expenses are low. “If you build a plant and run it for 30 years, you’re going to get your money back,” he says, highlighting nuclear power’s longterm economic stability compared to other energy sources. Ontario is a prime example: “The grid... is about 60% nuclear and runs 24/7,” providing a reliable energy baseload, unlike intermittent sources like solar and wind. Hadaller also mentions nuclear safety, noting that much of Stern Labs’ work supports maintaining robust safety margins. While he acknowledges the value of hydropower, he points out its limitations: “We’ve run out of rivers to dam up.” Thus, he views nuclear as essential for a balanced energy grid. He is optimistic about Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), such as Ontario’s BWRX-300. He believes “they should be cost competitive” if economies of scale are achieved. PIVOTAL MOMENTS AND STEADY GROWTH Stern Laboratories’ journey from a division of a corporate giant to an independent, employee-owned entity marks a significant chapter in the company’s history. “When we became a private company, that opened the market up,” Hadaller explains. Previously limited to serving Westinghouse Canada and the Canadian CANDU industry, Stern Labs found itself free to work with a broader array of nuclear suppliers. This newfound independence allowed the lab to carve out a niche in the global nuclear research industry. Another critical milestone came in 1991 when Ontario Hydro awarded Stern Labs a full-scale CANDU Critical Heat Flux (CHF) test contract. “We added 12.5MW of D.C. power to our power system,” Hadaller recalls. This enhancement enabled the lab to conduct full-scale testing for CANDU reactors, Boiling Water Reactors (BWR), and Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR). This leap in capability significantly broadened the lab’s scope and cemented its position as a leader in thermal-hydraulics research. Stern Labs’ steady growth aligns with industry needs and technological advancements. In 2002, the lab expanded significantly when a major BWR fuel vendor transferred its work to Stern Labs. “We’ve 44 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 10
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