Nuclear Waste: The Challenge of Underground Storage and Disposal

The Programme

Day One
Monday 9 November

08:30

Registration

08:50

Will Dalymple
Editor
Nuclear Engineering International

Opening remarks from the Chair

Overcoming the social issues

09:00

Alun Ellis
Repository Director
NDA, UK

Keynote opening presentation
UK CASE STUDY: Finding host communities that are willing to engage in site selection

The UK nuclear scene has moved forward dramatically in recent years and it is generally accepted that deep geological disposal is the optimum long term safe method for disposal of higher activity nuclear waste. Before this happens a site for disposal needs to be chosen which requires engagement with communities and obtaining their support.

The 2008 Managing Radioactive Waste Safely White Paper
Finding communities willing to engage in the site selection process and increasing the transparency surrounding the subject of nuclear waste
Highlighting the importance of stakeholder engagement
Supporting communities to help them understand the scientific basis for deep geological nuclear disposal
Successfully conquering the suspicion towards the nuclear industry by discussing both the technical aspects of the safe implementation of a geological disposal facility and the wider social, economic and environment issues involved
Very latest developments in Cumbria: the progress of site selection to date
Keeping the impetus going: taking advantage of the current window of opportunity
Learning from our European counterparts: Sweden has two municipalities volunteering for a repository site, have they done anything differently?

09:30

Charles McCombie
Executive Director
ARIUS FOUNDATION, SWITZERLAND

How cooperation in Europe and internationally can ensure that all countries have access to state-of-the-art geological repositories

Despite the different rock formations, development levels, economic status and social circumstances in countries worldwide, it is vitally important that countries with hazardous radioactive wastes learn from each other, collaborate and share resources in order to ensure global safety and security.

The nuclear revival in Europe and globally: cooperation between countries is essential
Focusing on a common objective using a range of avenues to learn from each other
Sharing knowledge and opinions on safety and waste management to ensure protection of the public, workforce and environment
Understand differing regulatory practices across Europe
Past and present vehicles for cooperation on waste disposal
Outlining the possibility of one European repository; progress of the European pilot study to date

10:00

Alun Ellis
Repository Director
NDA, UK
Ann McCall
Vice President
SKB, SWEDEN
Charles McCombie
Executive Director
ARIUS FOUNDATION, SWITZERLAND
Pierre Forbes
Director of Underground Research Laboratory
ANDRA, FRANCE
Simon Webster
Head of Unit
European Commission, BELGIUM

Panel discussion
Standardising the management approach to waste across Europe and internationally

10:30

Morning refreshments

11:00

Clive Williams
Policy Development Manager for Radioactive Substances Radiation
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY, UK

Assuring the long-term safety of disposal

A major issue for deep disposal is managing long term safety issues. The safety of a geological repository depends on the barriers that provide the containment functions. This presentation will provide an update on new developments regarding long term safety from the perspective of the regulator

What matters to an environmental regulator
The Environment Agency's recent (2009) regulatory guidance on geological disposal and near-surface disposal: Objective, Principles and Requirements
An Environmental Safety Case: the "golden thread" that must run through a developer's programme
The vital importance of stakeholder engagement
Key international initiatives: co-operation through OECD-NEA's Radioactive Waste Management Committee; European Pilot Study on the Regulatory Review of the Safety Case

Building a world class repository

11:30

Neil Chapman
Chairman
ITC SCHOOL, SWITZERLAND

Managing the design options for a deep geological repository to prepare for the future

Repositories will be built and therefore need to be designed. Once a site has been chosen, steps are taken to design the repositories; however this is a complicated process due to dissimilar rock formations which require site specific design. This presentation is essential to prepare for the future of high level nuclear waste.

Basic principles of geological disposal facility (GDF) performance and design
UK site identification procedure and waste inventory impacts on GDF concepts
Generic high level waste (HLW) and spent fuel repository concepts appropriate to the UK
Implications of potential co-location with disposal of long lived low and intermediate level wastes (LILW-LL)
Some key issues in progressive design optimisation and programme development

12:00

Lunch

13:20

Hidekazu Asano
Project Manager
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT FUNDING AND RESEARCH CENTRE, JAPAN

Design options for a repository operation; methods and results of R&D on remote operation technology

Under the condition of having no specific candidate site for a deep underground repository, wide variety of technical options are required to assure the feasibility of the repository concepts in Japan. Its affect on the R&D programs including their method and evaluation. Through reviewing the R&D methods and results of the remote operation technology, design basis, design option and handling of accumulated information should be discussed.

A brief history of the R&D program for remote operation technology
Introduction of the R&D methods and their results
Quality and long-term performance of manufactured/constructed EBS
Design confirmation and demonstration for the options
A brief discussion of design option and information management

13:50

Sean White
Senior Project Manager
URS WASHINGTON DIVISION

US CASE STUDY: The second opening of WIPP: licensing the disposal of remote-handled transuranic waste

The US Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico began waste emplacement operations in 1999. In 2007 WIPP received license authority to begin disposal of higher activity, remote-handled transuranic waste with surface dose rates of 2 to 100 mSv/h. The licensing of remote-handled waste at WIPP offers some valuable lessons for other repository developers related to how confidence in safety can be built throughout the licensing process.

Waste form and source term challenges
Transportation risks and environmental justice
Operational safety case development
Roles played by independent peer reviewers
Host community involvement and integration into decision-making
Negotiation of license conditions with regulators and stakeholders

14:20

Afternoon refreshments

Planning for the future

14:50

Ann McCall
Vice President
SKB, SWEDEN

Keynote presentation
SWEDEN CASE STUDY: Successfully choosing a site and the next steps to be taken

Sweden is currently at the forefront of deep geological disposal: once their site has been chosen, the next step is to submit a license application through the Swedish and European Courts. Currently SKB plan to start of construction of a repository in 2010 and operation of the new facilities is intended to begin by 2017.

Uncovering the investigations which have taken place in the communities of Oskarshamn and Östhammar in the search for a site
Achieving success by developing relationships with key stakeholders and communities for the benefit of nuclear power in Sweden
Clarifying the reasoning why the site was chosen and the benefits of choosing this location
The benefits of offering compensation to municipalities not chosen
Overcoming the challenges of preparing for a license application
Will the planned repository be ready in time?

15:20

Kazumi Kitayami
Senior Technical Adviser
NUMO, JAPAN

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Managing long term implementation of HLW disposal in Japan

Implementation of a deep geological repository will run over a period of about a century, from first planning until closure. Over such a long period, project boundary conditions will change significantly, requiring a fine balance between the needs to provide focus and to keep flexibility. The Japanese solution to this conundrum is described

Establishment of clear project goals and responsibilities for all involved organisations
Development of a stepwise implementation plan, with efforts being made to involve all key stakeholders at key decision points
Implementation of the “NUMO structured approach”, which provides a mechanism for continual iteration of the site characterisation, repository design and safety assessment plans to maintain optimisation as project constraints evolve
Use of a formal requirements management system to ensure that changing boundary conditions are assessed, and documented, in a comprehensive manner
Maintaining a culture of openness, accepting that such a project will need trade-offs between conflicting requirements and, in many cases, stakeholder groups (especially local communities)

15:50

Closing remarks from the Chair and close of day one

Day Two
Tuesday 10 November

08:30

Registration

08:50

Opening remarks from the Chair

Learning from the past

09:00

Andrew Orrell
Director of Nuclear Energy
SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES, US

US CASE STUDY: Lessons Learnt from Yucca Mountain since the 1987 Nuclear Waste Policy Act

Yucca Mountain has been the proposed deep geologic repository site for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste. Over the following two decades and with considerable investment, the Yucca Mountain project experienced numerous social, political, technical, managerial and regulatory events which have shaped recent decisions by the new administration to consider alternative directions. This candid presentation will review many of those events and provide potential lessons for other repository programmes.

A brief history of the Yucca Mountain Project
Significant social, political, technical, managerial, and regulatory events and effects
Lessons learnt for a faster, cheaper and better repository programme
Comparisons with WIPP success: site selection is only the beginning
The future landscape of the US repository programme: possible alternatives for nuclear waste management
If we could do it all over: stakeholder acceptance may not be enough
Real challenges for the next generation of repository programmes

09:30

Eric Knox
Operations Manager
URS WASHINGTON DIVISION, USA

Yucca Mountain: US repository program status update and expectations

The US Policy for disposal of spent nuclear fuel and HLW were established by law in 1982 with The Nuclear Waste Policy Act. Although subsequent laws have upheld and advanced Yucca Mountain as the repository site, the current Administration plans to form a Blue Ribbon Commission to re-examine US Nuclear Waste Policy

History of US waste management policy
Current status of the Yucca Mountain Project
Current Status of Yucca Mountain license application review
Status of the Blue Ribbon Commission
Path forward and what is required to change course
Expectations: a look ahead

10:00

Morning refreshments

New innovations and the value of research

10:30

Wilhelm Hund
Head of Repository Planning,
BFS

German Case Study: Challenges in site selection for a HLW repository

HLW disposal - A national problem that requires a local solution
Significant political, technical and societal boundary conditions
Approach to site selection for a HLW repository
Safety requirements on HLW disposal in geological formations
Investigations into conceptual and safety-related issues
Development of safety-related tools for comparing potential repository sites
Participation and engagement of the public and of stakeholders

11:00

Pierre Forbes
Director of Underground Research Laboratory
ANDRA, FRANCE

Keynote presentation
FRANCE CASE STUDY: new developments from ANDRA’s Underground Research Laboratory

The French Senate has approved a nuclear waste bill aimed at getting the construction of a deep geologic repository in full swing by 2015 and beginning repository operations in 2025. This presentation will inform delegates of progress to date with ANDRA and clarify current developments in the construction of the repository.

The role of the Underground Research Laboratory and underlining its importance
Updating new developments and progress to date: working towards 2015
Demonstrating the feasibility and safety of the disposal solution satisfactorily
Practical demonstration of technical elements
Predicting the performance of complex natural and engineered systems for extended times periods
Looking into the future to ensure long term safety of the disposal
Highlighting the plans for 2010

11:30

Simon Webster
Head of Unit
EUROPEAN COMMISSION, BELGIUM

Overview of the Euratom Framework Programme: priorities and current status

One of the European Commissions priority areas is and has been for many years, geological disposal. This presentation will concentrate on the Euratom programme, not so much the technical details of the research projects supported, rather the objectives of this research, including strategic and political, and how it links in with the national programmes and other EU policy areas such as energy.

Analysing the support provided to Member States' programmes in the area of research in geological disposal: highlights, achievements, the EU dimension and EU added value
Brief overview of recent and current major projects supported by Euratom
Overview of Euratom support to research/studies in the field of governance, the decision making process and public acceptance regarding radioactive waste management issues
The future for European collaborative R&D in geological disposal, in particular the development of so-called "Technology Platforms"
Links with other R&D priority areas and with EU policy, in particular related to energy in general
Latest EU policy and legislative initiatives affecting geological disposal, in particular the area of nuclear safety

12:00

Lunch

13:20

Juhani Vira
Research Director
POSIVA, FINLAND

FINLAND CASE STUDY: challenges for licensing a high-level nuclear waste repository in Finland

An underground rock characterisation facility, ONKALA, is being constructed in the bedrock at Olkiluoto, which has been chosen as the site of a spent fuel repository in Finland. The plan is that the ONKALA should later become a part of the actual repository. However, the construction of the repository can only begin once the Government has granted a separate construction licence for the implementer. For the operation of the facility, another licence is required before nuclear waste can be taken to the repository. The granting of an operating licence also falls under the jurisdiction of the Government.

Balancing the options, constraints and requirements in the design of a repository
Managing the licensing process
Setting the priorities right for the pre-licensing research and technical development (RTD) programme
Managing the resources for smooth progress

Coping with different geological situations

13:50

Richard Shaw
Project Leader
BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, UK

Geological settings for the disposal of radioactive waste: what does the UK offer?

The geological environment in which a facility for the disposal of radioactive waste may be built forms an important part of the barrier system that provides long term isolation of the waste from the surface/near surface environment. The UK has a long geological history and as a result is varied geologically. This means that there are several different geological situations in the UK that would provide suitable environments for radioactive waste disposal.

What does geology need to do?
Key geological factors that make rocks suitable for hosting a deep geological disposal facility
Favourable geological situations in the UK context;
Unsuitable geological situations;
Examples of available deep geological data

14:50

Jitka Miksova
Technical Development Project Manager
RAWRA

Main research and engineering works aimed at the geological repository development: Czech approach and experience

RAWRA’s mission is to ensure the safe disposal of existing and future radioactive waste in the Czech Republic. Except three nuclear facilities in operation for L/ILW disposal there is a need to manage works leading to the safe disposal of HLW and SNF from both the public health and the environment point of view. According to the Atomic Law RAWRA is responsible for a co-ordination of the R&D in this area. This support is provided in two main directions: aiming at gaining data for the development of a geological repository and as a generic research solving the management of HLW and SNF in a broader sense.

Possible approach to the support of the research activities in limited conditions of the state organisation.
Overview of previous and current projects supported by RAWRA: near field, far field, design.
How to harmonise results from R&D with site selection needs?
How to organise data and information acquired for decision making process?
Geological background, conflict of interest and siting: how to put them together?

14:20

Afternoon refreshments

15:20

Johan Swahn
Director
MKG, SWEDEN

Presentation
Critical analysis of the status of the Swedish system for final disposal of HLW

The KBS-3 concept, developed by SKB is the solution based on the multiple barriers principle. Radioactive substances are contained within several redundant protective barriers so that no deficiency in one barrier and no predictable geological or other change will endanger the isolation.

Brief description of the Swedish KBS system for final disposal of spent nuclear fuel
Environmental factors important for the siting of a mined repository using man-made barriers of copper and clay
Challenges for long-term safety when using man-made barriers of copper and clay
Analysis of the possibility to ascertain the long-term safety of the KBS method
A brief discussion of alternative methods for final disposal of high-level nuclear waste

15:50

Closing remarks from the Chair and close of day two