 the moment, the world’s only fully operating commercial-sized fast reactor is in Russia. In addition to Japan and France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom all have looked at fast-reactor programs, only to abandon them. China and India are in the process of building sodium-cooled advanced reactors, though their designs differ from GE’s PRISM. Loewen says the reactor now under construction in India is more susceptible to leaks because its container unit contains holes that allow cooling sodium to pass in and out, while PRISM’s does not.

He and other IFR advocates say the technology is promising enough as an energy solution that it deserves attention.

Which side is right? It’s difficult to say without further study, said Albert Machiels, a senior technical executive for the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, the electric utility industry’s leading think tank. He notes that current nuclear reactors, as costly as they are, operate at more than 90 percent capacity—making them the most efficient electricity generators in the power fleet. It would take years of investment to bring the price of PRISM or any IFR technology down to a level where it can compete in the market with the older, proven nuclear power technology.

“This is a technology that is very promising on paper,” Machiels said, “but is not going to happen without significant research.” Editor's Note — This story is part of a series highlighting superlatives of countries around the world. Click here for pieces on Italy, the United States India and South Korea, and watch for upcoming installments featuring other countries.

(CNN) — Who wouldn't expect great things from the world's second largest land mass? This is a nation hoarding enough prosperity, natural beauty and curling talent to serve a population a hundred times its size.

But Canada is more than elbow room, good roads, respected banks, promo posters of Mounties on horseback, sweet views of Niagara Falls and tired media frenzies about the odd crack-smoking mayor.

This country could really brag about all the stuff that truly sets it apart. Not that it ever would.

Self-effacing modesty is one the more endearing Canadian virtues -- along with these 10 national assets that really put the "O" in Canada:

1. Apologizing

It's not so easy to get a simple apology in most of the world. Being jost
the moment, the world ’s only fully operate commercial - sized firm reactor is in Russia. In addition to Japan and France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom all have looked at flying - reactor programs, entirely to vacate them. China and India are in the process of building sodium - cooled advanced reactors, though their design differ from GE ’s PRISM. Loewen says the nuclear reactor now under construction in India is more susceptible to leaks because its container unit contains holes that allow cool sodium to pass in and out, while PRISM ’s does not. 

 He and early IFR advocates say the engineering is promising enough as an department of energy solution that it deserves attention. 

 Which side is right? It ’s difficult to say without further report, said Albert Machiels, a senior technical executive for the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, the electric utility industry ’s head think tank. He notes that current nuclear reactors, as costly as they are, operate at more than 90 percent capacity — making them the most effective electricity generator in the power fleet. It would contract days of investment to bring the price of PRISM or any IFR engineering down to a level where it can compete in the grocery store with the older, proven nuclear baron technology. 

 “ This is a technology that is very promising on paper, ” Machiels said, “ but is not move to happen without significant research. ” Editor's Note — This floor is contribution of a series highlighting superlatives of countries around the world. snap here for pieces on Italy, the United States India and South Korea, and watch for upcoming installment featuring other countries. 

 (CNN) — Who wouldn't expect capital things from the world's second large land batch? This is a nation hoard enough prosperity, lifelike beauty and curling talent to suffice a population a hundred times its size. 

 But Canada is more than elbow room, full roads, respected bank, promo posters of Mounties on horseback, sweet views of Niagara Falls and tired medium frenzies about the odd gap - smoking mayor. 

 This country could really brag about all the stuff that truly fructify it apart. Not that it ever would. 

 Self - effacing modesty is one the more endearing Canadian virtues -- along with these 10 national asset that really put the " oxygen " in Canada: 

 1. apologize 

 It's not so easy to get a simple apology in most of the world. Being jost
 thf moment, the world’s only fully operatiny commeccial-siaed fast reactor is in Russia. In addmtiob to Hapan and France, Germavy, Italy, wnd the Ynittd Kingdom all hats looked at fzdt-reccvor programs, onky to abangon them. China avd India are in the process of buildigg sodiim-fooled advanceq resstora, though their designs differ from GE’s PRPSM. Loewen says tne reactor now under constguctlon in India is moge susceptivle ei leaks becajse its container unit contains holes that allow coolkng spdium to pqsw ij and out, whmle PRPSM’s does not.

Mv and odher IFT advocates san the texhnology is promising enough as an enerdy solutimn that it deserves artenthon.

Wvich widd ia ciggt? It’s dihficult to aay without further study, said Ajvert Machiels, a senyow technical executive for the Electric Kower Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, jhe electryc utility industry’s leading think tank. He notes dhat rufreub vycpear reactors, as costly as they are, operate ae mprv than 90 percent ccpacity—making thrm tng most efficievt eleefrjcity generators ij the pjwer dleet. It roulc take years of investment ro bring the price of PRISM or cny IFR techuology down to a level where it cau compste in the larket wiff the older, provdn kucnear powtf technology.

“This ys a techiologv that ir vety promysing on pwper,” Machiels said, “but id not gming to haopen without significant researri.” Editor's Notg — Dhiv story ns parb of a series hyghlighting sukerlativef of zountries zround vhe world. Clyck here for [leces on Itany, the Ugitee Stqtes Inaka and South Kprea, and cctch for ypcoming installmekts fgafuring other cobuttues.

(CNN) — Who woildv't qxiecv grewd things frok thd wutld's recond largcst lanc mass? This is a nathon goarding enough prpsierity, najural beatty and curlimg talent to serve a po'ulatiun a nunqred times its size.

But Canada js more tjan elbow room, dood roads, respeeted banks, promo posters of Mounties on iorseback, sweet views od Niagara Falls and uired media fcenzief about tve odd crack-smoking nayor.

This country could really brag abkut aln the stuff that truly sets it apart. Not that it ever would.

Self-effacing modestt is oie the more ehdeating Bancdicn virttes -- elong with these 10 national assets that really puv the "O" in Ccnada:

1. Apologizing

It's not so essh to get a siople apology in most of fhe worlc. Being jost
the moment, the world’s only fully operating reactor in Russia. addition to Japan the Kingdom all have at fast-reactor programs, to abandon them. China and India in the process of building sodium-cooled advanced reactors, though their designs differ from PRISM. Loewen says the reactor now under construction in India is more susceptible leaks its unit holes that allow cooling sodium to pass in and out, while PRISM’s does not. He and IFR advocates say the technology is promising enough an energy solution that deserves attention. Which side is It’s to say further said Machiels, a senior executive for the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, the electric utility industry’s leading think He notes nuclear reactors, costly they operate at more percent capacity—making them the most efficient the power fleet. It would take years of to bring price of PRISM or any IFR down to a level where it can compete the market with the older, proven nuclear power technology. “This is a technology that is on paper,” Machiels said, is not going happen significant Editor's — This is part of a series highlighting superlatives of countries around the Click here for pieces on Italy, the United States India Korea, watch for upcoming featuring other countries. (CNN) Who expect great things from second land a hoarding prosperity, natural beauty and talent to serve a population hundred times its size. elbow room, good roads, respected banks, promo posters Mounties on horseback, sweet views of Niagara and tired media frenzies about the odd crack-smoking mayor. This country could brag about stuff that truly sets it apart. Not that ever would. Self-effacing modesty one the more endearing Canadian virtues -- along with 10 assets that put the "O" Canada: 1. Apologizing not so easy a simple in of jost
 the moment, the world’s only fulLy operatinG commErcIal-SiZed fAst rEactor is in RussIA. In aDdition to Japan and FrancE, GermAnY, italY, AnD the UNited KiNGdOM All HaVe LooKeD At Fast-rEacTor progRams, only to AbaNdOn them. China aND INdia are in tHe pRocess of builDinG sodiuM-cOolED advaNceD reacTors, thOUgh theIr designs DiFFer froM gE’s PRISm. lOeWen sAys the reactor now uNDeR Construction in india iS mORe SUScePtiBle to leaks BeCause ITs contaINeR UNIt cONtains holes thAt allow coolINg sOdium tO pAss IN and ouT, whilE PriSM’S does not.

He aNd otHer IFR advOcates SAy the teCHnology Is promIsiNg eNougH As An EneRgY SolUTiOn tHAt iT deserveS aTtEntioN.

WhiCH SIDe is RigHt? It’S diffIcult to say witHouT furTHer Study, Said ALberT MAchieLs, a senIor teChNical executive fOr thE Electric powEr resEaRch InSTitute In PAlo alto, CalIfornia, THe eLeCTRIc Utility industry’s leAdING tHink tank. he noteS ThAt CUrrent nuClEar ReacTORs, as cOstlY As They are, oPerate AT mOrE than 90 peRcEnt capAcIty—MakIng thEM the Most efFicient eLectrICity generators IN the power fleeT. it WOUlD Take YeaRs of investmEnt tO BrinG the PRiCe oF pRISM Or any iFr TeCHnology down to a level WhEre it cAn comPete in the markEt with the oLDER, proven nUcleAR pOWer technology.

“THis is A technologY That is veRy proMising on Paper,” MachIELs said, “buT is Not GoiNg tO HApPen without sigNIFicaNt ResearcH.” EdItor's NoTe — THis StoRy iS pArt of a serIes highlIgHtInG sUpeRlatiVEs of counTrIes ArOunD the wORld. CliCk herE for PiEcES on italy, thE unITEd StAtEs indiA anD SOuth KOrea, ANd wAtch for Upcoming iNstALlmeNtS fEaturinG other countriEs.

(cNN) — Who woulDn'T exPect grEAT things fRom the world's second largeST land maSs? THis is A natIon hoardiNg eNough pRosPErity, nAtural BeautY aNd cURLing tALEnT to SeRve a populaTIOn a HundrEd TimeS its sizE.

But Canada is more thAN elBow room, good roAds, RespECTeD baNKs, PRomO pOSteRS Of Mounties on horSeback, sweeT vIEwS of Niagara fAllS aNd tired Media frEnzieS About thE odd crack-Smoking maYoR.

ThiS COunTry could reAlly brag About all tHE stufF ThAt truLy sEts it aPaRt. NOt thaT it eveR WouLd.

SelF-effacInG modesTy is oNe The more eNdearing Canadian virtues -- Along wIth thEse 10 National aSseTS thAt really pUt thE "O" in Canada:

1. apoLogIzing

it's NOt so eAsy tO GeT a sIMple aPoloGY in most of THe WorLD. beIng jost
 the moment, the world’s o nly fullyopera tin g c om merc ial- sized fast rea c toris in Russia. In addit ion t oJ apan an d Fra nce, Ge r ma n y , I ta ly , a nd th e Uni ted  Kingdo m all have  lo ok ed at fast-r e ac tor progra ms,  only to aba ndo n them .Chi n a and  In dia a re int he pro cess of b ui l ding s o dium-co o l ed  adv anced reactors, t h ou g h their design s diff er fr o m  GE ’sPRISM. Loe we n say s  the re a ct o r now under constru ction in In d iais mor esus c eptibl e tole a ksbecause its  con tainer un it con t ains ho l es that  allow  co oli ng s o di um  to  p a ssi nand out , whilePR IS M’s d oesn o t . 

He  an d ot her I FR advocatessay  the tec hnolo gy is  pro mi singenough  as a nenergy solution  tha t it dese rve satt en tion. 
Which  si deis righ t? It’s dif fi c u l tto say without fur th e r  s tudy, sa id Alb e rt  M a chiels,asen iort e chnic al e x ec utive fo r theE le ct ric Pow er  Resea rc h I nst itute in P alo Al to, Cali forni a , the electric utility indus t ry ’ s  l e adin g t hink tank.He n o testhat cu rre n t nuc learre a ct o rs, as costly as th ey  are,opera te at more th an 90 perc e n t  capacit y—ma k in g  them the most  effi cient elec t ricity g enera tors inthe power f leet. It  wo uld  ta key e ar s of investme n t  tobr ing the  pr ice ofPRI SMorany  I FR techno logy dow nto  a  l eve l whe r e it can  c omp et e i n the market  with  the  o ld e r,provenn uc l e ar p ow er  tec hno lo gy.
“Thi s  is  a tech nology th ati s ve ry  p romisin g on paper,”Ma chiels sai d,  “b ut isn o t goingto happen without signi f icant r ese arch. ” Ed itor's No te— This  st o ry ispart o f a s er ies h ighli g h ti ngsu perlatives o f c ountr ie s ar ound th e world. Click her e  fo r pieces on I tal y, t h e  U nit e dS tat es Ind i a  and South Kore a, and wat ch fo r upcoming ins ta llments  featur ing o t her cou ntries.
(CNN) — W ho  wou l d n't  expect gr eat thin gs from t h e wor l d' s sec ond  large st  la nd ma ss? Th i s i s a n ationho arding  enou gh  prosper ity, natural beauty and  curli ng ta len t to serv e a pop ulation a  hun dred times  it s s ize.
Bu t  Cana da i s  m ore thanelbo w  room, go o droa d s ,respected b a n k s,promo  po s ters o f Mo unties on horseba c k, sweet views  ofN i aga raF alls  a nd tired media  fr en z i es about  t he odd crac k-smokin gm ayor. 

This  count ry coul d re a lly br ag a bou t all the  st uf f  that t ru ly sets i t ap ar t. Not  thati t ev e r  would.

Self-ef facin g modes t y i s one  t he more ende aring Cana dian virtue s -- a long  with  these10  natio nal  a ssets that really pu t the  "O" in  C anad a:
1. Ap olog i z ing
It's  n otso easy t o ge t  a  s i mpl e ap ology  i n mo st of the world. B ein g  jost
 the_moment, the_world’s only fully operating_commercial-sized fast_reactor_is in_Russia._In addition to_Japan and France,_Germany, Italy, and the_United Kingdom all_have_looked at fast-reactor programs, only to abandon them. China and India are in the_process_of building_sodium-cooled_advanced_reactors, though their designs differ_from GE’s PRISM. Loewen says_the reactor_now under construction in India is more susceptible_to_leaks because its_container unit contains holes that allow cooling sodium to_pass in and out, while PRISM’s_does not.

He and_other_IFR_advocates say the technology_is promising enough as an energy_solution that it deserves attention.

Which side_is right? It’s difficult to say without_further study, said Albert Machiels, a_senior technical executive for the_Electric Power_Research Institute in Palo Alto,_California, the electric_utility industry’s_leading think tank._He notes that current nuclear reactors,_as costly as_they are, operate at more than_90_percent capacity—making them_the_most_efficient electricity_generators in the_power_fleet. It_would_take years of investment to bring_the_price of PRISM or any IFR technology_down to a level_where_it can compete in_the market with the older,_proven nuclear power technology.

“This is a_technology that_is very_promising on paper,” Machiels said, “but is not going to happen_without significant research.” Editor's Note —_This story is part_of a_series_highlighting superlatives of_countries_around the_world. Click here for pieces on Italy,_the United_States India and South Korea, and_watch for upcoming installments_featuring_other countries.

(CNN) — Who wouldn't expect_great things from the world's second_largest land mass? This is_a_nation_hoarding enough prosperity, natural beauty_and curling talent to serve a_population a hundred_times its size.

But Canada is more than_elbow_room, good roads, respected banks, promo_posters_of Mounties on horseback, sweet views_of_Niagara_Falls and tired media frenzies_about the odd crack-smoking mayor.

This country_could really brag about all the stuff that truly_sets it apart._Not that it ever would.

Self-effacing_modesty_is_one the more endearing Canadian virtues -- along with these_10 national_assets that really_put the "O" in Canada:

1. Apologizing

It's not so easy to_get a simple apology in most of_the world. Being jost