UNB alum helping Canada become a global leader in clean energy
Author: UNB Newsroom
Posted on Nov 16, 2022
Category: UNB Fredericton , UNB Saint John
University of New Brunswick (UNB) alumna, Maggie Manley (BScCHE'08, MScCHE'10, PhD'18), is helping New Brunswick and Canada to become a global leader in the nuclear energy industry.
Manley and her team at ARC Clean Technology Canada Inc. (ARC) are in the process of licensing and commercializing Canada’s first-ever grid-scale Generation four advanced small modular reactor (aSMR), the latest generation of nuclear technology used in the world.
The aSMR from ARC will be demonstrated at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. “I am very proud of the work that I do with nuclear energy,” said Manley. “Every day I come to work, it feels like a dream come true. I am excited about the direction that New Brunswick is heading and how dedicated ARC and NB Power is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.”
Inside the aSMR from ARC is a sodium-cooled fast reactor that produces high-quality steam and clean energy with a uranium binary metallic fuel.
“It is important to acknowledge that sodium fast reactors are not new technology,” said Manley. “These reactors have extensive operating experience but have not been deployed commercially yet in Canada.”
Since nuclear power plants do not burn fossil fuel or produce greenhouse gas emissions, they are one of the cleanest ways to generate energy.
“There are many benefits to transition to this technology,” added Manley. “It's reliable, non-emitting electricity with inherent walk-away safety.”
With several engineers in her family, Manley always knew she would follow a similar path. During her undergraduate degree, she discovered her passion for nuclear energy while working summers in the nuclear research labs at UNB.
Manley is now a senior fuels systems specialist at ARC and received all three of her degrees in chemical engineering at UNB’s Fredericton campus, including the highest academic achievement, the PhD.
In her role at ARC, Manley is currently leading a project in partnership with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to deliver a demonstration of the fuel fabrication process for the ARC technology.
“UNB gave me the education I needed to get me where I am today and I’m proud to help lead New Brunswick toward a clean energy future,” said Manley.
ARC is a clean energy technology company developing and offering inherently safe, reliable, and economical carbon free power. ARC’s aSMR has been selected by New Brunswick Power (NB Power) for implementation at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station with completion targeted for the late 2020s.
Media contact: Kathleen McLaughlin