Bridging today's research with leading-edge innovation for the future

Founded in 1984, the CANDU Owners Group (COG) is the preeminent organization providing collaborative R&D and information sharing to allow our Members globally to achieve operational excellence. This presentation will start with a brief overview of COG and our role in driving innovation across the industry. The strategic trends and drivers for the industry leading us into the future will be discussed and linked to COG's mandate to maintain performance excellence at the sites, support R&D for new technologies, and ensure a sustainable industry through an industry R&D program and pipeline of subject matter experts. Examples of key areas of innovation that are being pursued jointly by the CANDU owners to sustain the current fleet for 40+ years of operation, will be discussed, including AI, machine learning, and plant modernization. The presentation will then speak to leveraging the COG Collaboration Model for the future of the industry and support to new nuclear builds, as well as capacity building. COG is positioned to work together with the industry to build a strong future where around the world, our fleet of reactors is providing clean and reliable energy. (author)