To achieve outstanding safety, operation, performance and economics, the ACR-1000 incorporates a specific set of innovative features and state-of-the-art technologies. Innovations are continually cultivated as part of the natural evolution and success of the proven CANDU 6 reactor.

The ACR-1000 innovations include:

• A compact core design which reduces heavy water inventory and results in lower costs and reduced emissions
• Use of light water as reactor coolant, resulting in reduction of systems for heavy water coolant cleanup and recovery and simplification of containment atmosphere cleanup systems
• Use of slightly enriched uranium (SEU) fuel, contained in advanced CANFLEX ACR fuel bundles
• Efficient means for burning other fuel types such as mixed oxides (MOX) and thorium fuels
• Increased fuel safety margins
• Improved plant thermal efficiency through use of higher pressures and higher temperatures in the coolant and steam supply systems
• Enhanced accident resistance and core damage prevention features
• Designed with customer input for enhanced operability and maintainability

Improved performance through use of ‘SMART’ CANDU advanced operational and maintenance information systems and provision of designed-in maintenance features such as lifting devices, platforms and laydown areas.