NUMO’s Open Solicitation of Volunteer Municipalities for a Potential Disposal Site

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazumi Kitayama
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Disposal Site ◽  
Nuclear Waste Management ◽  
The Public ◽  
Construction Operation ◽  
High Level ◽  
Year 2000 ◽  
Selection Of

In the year 2000, the Japanese geological disposal program for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) moved from the phase of generic research and development into the phase of implementation. Following legislation entitled the “Specified Radioactive Waste Final Disposal Act” (hereafter “the Act”), the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO) was established as the implementing organization in October 2000. The assigned activities of NUMO include repository site selection, developing relevant license applications and construction, operation and closure of the repository. To initiate the first stage, NUMO has chosen an “open solicitation” approach for finding candidate sites in the belief that the support of local communities is essential to the success of this highly public, long-term project extending over more than a century. Based on this concept, NUMO announced the start of open solication for volunteer municipalities for selection of Preliminary Investigation Areas to the public on December 19, 2002. This paper describes NUMO’s open solicitation of volunteer municipalities for a potential disposal site.

The Cige´o Industrial Geological Repository Project

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thibaud Labalette ◽  
Alain Harman ◽  
Marie-Claude Dupuis
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Public Debate ◽  
Territorial Development ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Future ◽  
Geological Formation ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
High Level

The Planning Act of 28 June 2006 prescribed that a reversible repository in a deep geological formation be chosen as the reference solution for the long-term management of high-level and intermediate-level long-lived radioactive waste. It also entrusted the responsibility of further studies and investigations on the siting and design of the new repository upon the French Radioactive Waste Management Agency (Agence nationale pour la gestion des de´chets radioactifs – Andra), in order for the review of the creation-licence application to start in 2015 and, subject to its approval, the commissioning of the new repository in 2025. In late 2009, Andra submitted to the French government proposals concerning the implementation and the design of Cige´o (Centre industriel de stockage ge´ologique). A significant step of the project was completed with the delineation of an interest zone for the construction of the repositor’s underground facilities in 2010. This year, Andra has launched a new dialogue phase with local actors in order to clarify the implementation scenarios on the surface. The selected site will be validated after the public debate that is now scheduled for the first half of 2013. This debate will be organized by the National Public Debate Committee (Commission nationale du de´bat public). In parallel, the State is leading the preparation of an territorial development scheme, which will be presented during the public debate. The 2009 milestone also constitutes a new step in the progressive design process of the repository. After the 1998, 2001 and 2005 iterations, which focused mainly on the long-term safety of the repository, the Dossier 2009 highlighted its operational safety, with due account of the non-typical characteristics of an underground nuclear facility. It incorporates the first results of the repository-optimisation studies, which started in 2006 and will continue in the future. The reversibility options for the repository constitute proposals in terms of added flexibility in repository management and in package-recovery levels. They orient the design of the repository in order to promote those reversibility components. They contribute to the dialogue with stakeholders in the preparation of the public debate and of the future act on the reversibility conditions of the repository. The development of the repository shall be achieved over a long period, around the century. Hence, the designer will acquire additional knowledge at every new development of the project, notably during Phase 1, which he may reuse during the following phase, in order, for instance, to optimise the project. This process is part of the approach proposed by Andra in 2009 pursuant to the reversibility principle.

scholarly journals Microscopic and spectroscopic investigations of uranium(VI) reduction by <i>Desulfosporosinus hippei</i> DSM 8344

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 155-156
Author(s):  
Stephan Hilpmann ◽  
Robin Steudtner ◽  
Björn Drobot ◽  
René Hübner ◽  
Frank Bok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Reduction Process ◽  
Opalinus Clay ◽  
Disposal Site ◽  
Luminescence Spectroscopy ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
High Level Radioactive Waste ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
High Level

Abstract. Clay formations are potential host rocks for the long-term storage of high-level radioactive waste in a deep geological repository. Bentonites are supposed to serve as backfill material, not only for a final disposal site in clay formations but also in crystalline rock. For a long-term safety assessment, various aspects must be taken into account. Besides geological, geochemical and geophysical considerations, naturally occurring microorganisms also play a crucial part in the environment of such a repository. In the event of a worst-case scenario when water enters the disposal site, they can interact with the radionuclides and change for example the chemical speciation or the oxidation state (Lloyd et al., 2002). Desulfosporosinus spp. are an important representative of anaerobic, sulfate-reducing microorganisms, which are present in clay formations as well as in bentonites. Various studies have shown that they play a major role in the microbial communities of these surroundings (Bagnoud et al., 2016; Matschiavelli et al., 2019). A closely related microorganism to the isolated species is Desulfosporosinus hippei DSM 8344, which was originally found in permafrost soil (Vatsurina et al., 2008). This bacterium was used to investigate its interactions with uranium(VI) especially regarding the reduction to the less mobile uranium(IV). Time-dependent reduction experiments in artificial Opalinus Clay pore water (Wersin et al., 2011) (100 µM uranium(VI), pH 5.5) showed the removal of about 80 % of the uranium(VI) from the supernatants within 48 h. Corresponding UV/Vis measurements of the dissolved cell pellets exhibited an increasing proportion of uranium(IV) in the cell-bound uranium. Calculations with the inclusion of extinction coefficients led to a ratio of 39 % uranium(IV) after 1 week. Therefore, a combined sorption-reduction process is a possible interaction mechanism. Time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy verified the presence of two uranium(VI) species in the supernatant. A comparison with reference spectra led to an assignment to a uranyl(VI) lactate and a uranyl(VI) carbonate complex. The species distribution showed a decrease of the proportion of the lactate species with time, whereas the proportion of the carbonate species remained almost constant. Uranium aggregates are formed on the cell surface during the process, as determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, uranium occurs inside and outside the cells as well as vesicles containing uranium. These findings help to close existing gaps in a comprehensive safeguard concept for a repository for high-level radioactive waste in clay rock. Moreover, this study provides new insights into the interactions of sulfate-reducing microorganisms with uranium(VI).

Uncertainty Chains in the Geological and Geotechnical Barriers of a HAW-disposal site

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Mintzlaff ◽  
Joachim Stahlmann
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Constitutive Models ◽  
Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽  
Disposal Site ◽  
Geological Model ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Final Disposal ◽  
The Public ◽  
High Level ◽  
Selection Of

&lt;p&gt;When projecting and planning a final high-level radioactive waste disposal site various uncertainties need to be addressed. A geological model is an abstraction of one possibility to interpret the exposed outcrops, drilling results and geophysical data. In numerical modelling the geological model is further simplified due to computational limitations. The behaviour of rocks is modelled with more or less complex constitutive models which are based upon laboratory experiments. Complex constitutive models have a huge range of input parameters, which rarely can be obtained completely by these experiments. The samples, which will be used in the laboratory experiments, are, as the data of the geological model, always a selection of drilling cores. For example, in a mechanical laboratory, harder rocks will be overrepresented in comparison to softer parts of the core.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Since the mentioned uncertainties are not avoidable many authors suggest that an open communication of these uncertainties can support the confidence of the public in the work of the professionals and as well as the projected development of the final disposal site. This contribution will present an overview of these uncertainties in the geological and geotechnical barriers of an final disposal site to discuss the relevance of these.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Public Acceptance as a Driver for Repository Design

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Ian G. McKinley ◽  
Sumio Masuda ◽  
Susie M. L. Hardie ◽  
Hiroyuki Umeki ◽  
Morimasa Naito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Communities ◽  
Concept Development ◽  
Public Acceptance ◽  
Geological Disposal ◽  
The Public ◽  
Safety Case ◽  
Construction Operation ◽  
Traditional Manner ◽  
Selection Of

The Japanese geological disposal programme for radioactive waste is based on a volunteering approach to siting, which places particular emphasis on the need for public acceptance. This, as established in law, emphasises the development of a repository project as a partnership with local communities and involves stakeholders in important decisions associated with key milestones in the selection of repository sites and subsequent construction, operation, and closure. To date, however, repository concept development has proceeded in a more traditional manner, focusing particularly on ease of developing a post-closure safety case. In the current project, we have attempted to go further by assessing what requirements stakeholders would place on a repository and assessing how these could be used to rethink repository designs so that they meet the desires of the public without compromising critical operational or long-term safety.

CSAMT exploration at Sellafield: Characterization of a potential radioactive waste disposal site

Geophysics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 1070-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martyn J. Unsworth ◽  
Xinyou Lu ◽  
M. Don Watts
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽  
Disposal Site ◽  
Waste Disposal Site ◽  
Controlled Source ◽  
High Level ◽  
Cultural Noise ◽  
And Inversion

The long term disposal of radioactive waste in an underground repository requires the detailed geological evaluation of a potential site. Owing to their inherent sensitivity to the presence of fluids in rocks, electromagnetic (EM) methods have an important role in this assessment. Controlled‐source EM techniques are especially useful in strong anthropogenic noise environments such as industrial locations. However the complexity of modeling and inversion can limit the quantitative interpretation of controlled‐source EM data. A potential radioactive waste disposal site at Sellafield in Great Britain has been investigated using a variety of EM exploration techniques. Controlled‐source audio‐frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) data have given the best subsurface information in an environment that has a high level of cultural noise. One‐dimensional inversions of the Sellafield CSAMT data were found to be inadequate; 2.5-D forward modeling and inversion were used to interpret the data. The resulting resistivity models show good agreement with well log data collected at the site. These resistivity models show the presence of a large zone of hypersaline groundwater extending 1 km inland towards the potential repository and indicate the effect of faults on the hydrogeology.

Issues in the Timing of High Level Waste Disposal: An International Perspective

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stan Gordelier ◽  
Pa´l Kova´cs
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Geological Disposal ◽  
The Public ◽  
Deep Geological Disposal ◽  
High Level

The world is facing energy difficulties for the future, in terms of security of supply and climate change issues. Nuclear power is virtually carbon free and it contributes to energy security, being a quasi-domestic source. Whilst it cannot provide a complete answer to these challenges, it is certainly capable of providing a significant component of the answer. However, nuclear power remains controversial. In order to gain public acceptance, it is widely recognised that a number of key issues need to be addressed, amongst which is resolution of the high-level radioactive waste (HLW) (including spent fuel) disposal issue. This is an important issue for all countries with an existing nuclear programme, whether or not it is intended that nuclear power should be phased out or expanded — the waste already exists and must be managed in any event. It is equally important for countries planning a new nuclear power programme where none has previously existed. Since nuclear power was first developed over fifty years ago, HLW arisings have been stored as an interim measure. It is widely believed by experts (though not by many opponents of the nuclear industry, nor by the public) that deep geological disposal, after a reasonable cooling time in interim storage, is technically feasible and constitutes a safe option [1] at an acceptable cost. The total volume of HLW from nuclear reactors is relatively small. A key issue, however, is the time-scale for developing such a final disposal solution. Considerations of security and inter-generational equity suggest that geological disposal should be implemented as soon as possible irrespective of whether or not new arisings are created. The question of managing HLW is not necessarily related to the issue of building new nuclear power stations. However, many opponents argue that there has been insufficient demonstration of the long-term safety of deep geological disposal. The same opponents also argue that there should be a moratorium on building new nuclear power plants (NPPs) until the issue of long-term management of HLW is resolved. These arguments have a powerful influence on public opinion towards both the construction of a waste repository and the building of new NPPs. The intent of this paper (developed from the current OECD NEA study on “Timing of High Level Waste Disposal”) is to identify and discuss some of the factors influencing the timing of the implementation of a HLW disposal strategy and to demonstrate to decision makers how these factors are affecting country strategies, based on current experience. Determining an optimum timescale of HLW disposal may be affected by a wide range of factors. The study examines how social acceptability, technical soundness, environmental responsibility and economic feasibility impact on the timing of HLW disposal and can be balanced in a national radioactive waste management strategy taking the social, political and economic environment into account. There is clear evidence that significant fractions of the public still have serious misconceptions with respect to the issues surrounding nuclear waste. The nuclear industry, together with governments in those countries who would like a component of nuclear power in their energy mix, has a responsibility for and a significant challenge in presenting its case to the public.

Disparate Entwicklung der Wohnungsmärkte fordert die Politik

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Arentz
Keyword(s):  
Housing Policy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Housing Allowance ◽  
Main Task ◽  
Trading System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Site Development ◽  
High Level

AbstractThe regional differences in the housing markets are enormous and will continue to exacerbate in the future. The main task for the housing policy is to take appropriate long term measures depending on the market structure. A central aspect of future housing policy is the site development. Potential conflicts of interest with other social objectives must be detected and resolved. Creating a trading system for development rights appears to be promising. In order to secure housing for low income households, the housing allowance (Wohngeld) must be promptly adjusted to the market conditions. The public housing sector should be seen as an instrument for the stabilization of neighborhoods. Appropriate market rents secure a housing supply at a high level.

scholarly journals Sustainable Construction by Means of Improved Material Selection Process

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koorosh Gharehbaghi ◽  
Maged Georgy
Keyword(s):  
Energy Savings ◽  
Material Selection ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Construction Operation ◽  
Selection Factors ◽  
Strength And Durability ◽  
Operation Cost ◽  
Selection Of

Whilst sustainable construction relates to both a building’s structure and the use of proper life cycle processes, the selection of the most appropriate material/s is deemed a considerable undertaking. Throughout a building’s lifecycle that extends from design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, until demolition, the selection of sustainable material/s is a particularly crucial task for the development and establishment of such structures. Traditionally, there are three main materials for general construction: (1) Steel, (2) Concrete and (3) Timber. These materials not only influence the function within the structure, but also affect the operation cost and energy usage. Operation cost reduction and energy savings are typically elements of the sustainable construction sphere. However, in developing countries, there is a variety of highly critical factors, which can impact material selection as well as the long-term sustainability of the structure, including: Fire Performance, Environmental Impact, Structural Performance (strength and durability), and Functioning Capabilities. Accordingly, this paper will first compare the sustainability of these three key materials and then converse with appropriate processes for material selection. Attention will be given to the sustainable construction recompense associated with the different material selection factors. Doing so ensures a more sustainable built environment by means of an improved material selection process.

Significance of long-term climate evolution and associated impacts on the long-term safety of a high-level radioactive waste repository within the German siting process

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Wengler ◽  
Astrid Göbel ◽  
Eva-Maria Hoyer ◽  
Axel Liebscher ◽  
Sönke Reiche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
High Level Radioactive Waste ◽  
Safety Requirements ◽  
Climate Evolution ◽  
Safety Assessments ◽  
High Level ◽  
Host Rocks

&lt;p&gt;According to the 'Act on the Organizational Restructuring in the Field of Radioactive Waste Disposal' the BGE was established in 2016. The amended 'Repository Site Selection Act' (StandAG) came into force in July 2017 and forms the base for the site selection by clearly defining the procedure. According to the StandAG the BGE implements the participative, science-based, transparent, self-questioning and learning procedure with the overarching aim to identify the site for a high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repository in a deep geological formation with best possible safety conditions for a period of one million years.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The German site selection procedure consists of three phases, of which Phase 1 is divided into two steps. Starting with a blanc map of Germany, the BGE completed Step 1 in September 2020 and identified 90 individual sub-areas that provide favorable geological conditions for the safe disposal of HLW in the legally considered host rocks; rock salt, clay and crystalline rock. Based on the results of Step 1, the on-going Step 2 will narrow down these sub-areas to siting regions for surface exploration within Phase 2 (&amp;#167; 14 StandAG). Central to the siting process are representative (Phase 1), evolved (Phase 2) and comprehensive (Phase 3) preliminary safety assessments according to &amp;#167; 27 StandAG.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The ordinances on 'Safety Requirements' and 'Preliminary Safety Assessments' for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste from October 2020 regulate the implementation of the preliminary safety assessments within the different phases of the siting process. Section 2 of the 'Safety Requirements' ordinance provides requirements to evaluate the long-term safety of the repository system; amongst others, it states that all potential effects that may affect the long-term safety of the repository system need to be systematically identified, described and evaluated as &amp;#8220;expected&amp;#8221; or &amp;#8220;divergent&amp;#8221; evolutions. Additionally, the ordinance on 'Preliminary Safety Assessments' states in &amp;#167; 7, amongst others, that the geoscientific long-term prediction is a tool to identify and to evaluate geogenic processes and to infer &amp;#8220;expected&amp;#8221; and &amp;#8220;divergent&amp;#8221; evolutions from those. Hence, considering the time period of one million years for the safe disposal of the HLW and the legal requirements, it is essential to include long-term climate evolution in the German site selection process to evaluate the impact of various climate-related scenarios on the safety of the whole repository system.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To better understand and evaluate the influence of climate-related processes on the long-term safety of a HLW repository, climate-related research will be a part of the BGE research agenda. Potential research needs may address i) processes occurring on glacial &amp;#8211; interglacial timescales (e.g. the inception of the next glaciation, formation and depth of permafrost, glacial troughs, sub-glacial channels, sea-level rise, orbital forcing) and their future evolutions, ii) effects on the host rocks and the barrier system(s) as well as iii) the uncertainties related to these effects but also to general climate models and predictions.&lt;/p&gt;

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document