TRAINING IN AND DEMONSTRATION OF WASTE DISPOSAL TECHNOLOGIES

IN UNDERGROUND RESEARCH FACILITIES (URF Network)

(http://

www.iaea.org/OurWork/ST/NE/NEFW/wts_network.html)

B. Neerdael, P. Degnan

P.Degnan@iaea.org

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Network Vision

“Worldwide sharing

and transfer of

experience

leading to safe,

economic and

timely solutions

to high level

waste disposal”

URF Network Members URF Network Participants

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Member Organizations

Network Members, owners of unique facilities, having demonstrated high quality research and offering to be part of the Network:

Belgium (HADES URF at Mol; SCK-CEN), Canada (URL, Lac-du-Bonnet; AECL), Czech Republic (JOSEF Gallery - Educational Facility),France (Underground Test Facility, Tournemire; IRSN),Germany (Deep Disposal in mines; DBETech),Japan (Mizunami/Horonobe UF and Tokai R&D Centre)Sweden (Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory; SKB), Switzerland (GTS, Mont-Terri; NAGRA, Swisstopo), UK (GRC; Cardiff University) and USA (YMP, WIPP facility, Sandia and LBNL; USDOE).

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URF Network – Background

• Geological disposal is generally accepted as the preferred option for the disposal of HLW/SNF and long-lived ILW

• The technologies required are available today• Countries are at various stages of programme development• Construction of a geological repository for HLW/SNF is a

long-term endeavour with complex and multi-dimensional considerations

• URFs contribute to the move from theory to practice• Experiments, technological developments and practical

demonstrations can all be carried out in URFs.• In 2001, several Member States with URFs came together

in an IAEA Network and offered their facilities for sharing training and R&D activities

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Objectives

• Encourage the sharing and preservation of knowledge and technologies

• Work on solutions for Member States currently without URFs

• Supplement national efforts and promote public confidence in waste disposal schemes

• Contribute to the resolution of key technical issues

The URF Network is a mechanism to ensure Member States’ awareness of

the latest state-of-the-art technologyin geological disposal

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NEFW - Waste Technology SectionTechnical Secretary/Officer, Technical Meetings,

Coordinate Research Projects

Technical Cooperation DepartmentTC Project Management Officer, Training Courses,

Fellowships, Scientific Visits

MembersParticipants

Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France,

Germany, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA

Finland

Argentina,Armenia, Brazil,

Bulgaria, China, Croatia,Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Korea,

Lithuania, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia,

Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa,

Ukraine

IAEA Role

Network websiteEmail updates

Training Courses, Fellowships,

Scientific Visits

Technical Meetings

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Challenges

1. Clarify terminology and objectives

• Network title, technical focus, members & participants

2. Make the Network a true network with a unique and valuable offering

• More than just a mechanism for subsidised training

• Improved interactions directly between participants, sustained by recognition of mutual benefits

3. Better address the “real” needs of all participants

• Identify strategic objectives for developing programmes

• More effective screening and preparation for training and more focused syllabuses

4. Select the appropriate trainee or fellow for the event

• Recognise the URF Network benefits for developed programmes and ensure they are better met (participant selection)

5. Look for win-win situations and expand the membership

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URF Network – Discussion Points

• Problematic wastes – high activities, long-lived and in relatively high concentrations

• Need for special experiments or disposal demonstration projects?

• Fully accounted for in national inventories and WAC?

• Organise institutional framework, define RWM policy and implement strategies at all levels

• Manage the back-end having in mind the final destination of waste

• Promotion of public confidence – consistent approaches to stakeholder interactions