Long-term Management of Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel · 2020. 3. 19. · To develop and implement collaboratively with Canadians a management approach for the long-term care of Canada’s

UN0602 Nuclear Fuel Waste Management

February 28, 2009

Long-term Management of Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel

Anda Kalvins, Ph.D.Director Environment

NWMO Mission

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To develop and implement

collaboratively with Canadians a

management approach for the long-term

care of Canada’s used nuclear fuel that is socially acceptable, technically

sound, environmentally responsible and

economically feasible

Outline

• Used Nuclear Fuel• NWMO Study of Options• Adaptive Phased Management (APM)• Collaborative Design of the Site Selection Process

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CANDU fuel bundle~ 20 kg natural uranium dioxide (UO2)~ 0.5 m length~ 1 million kWh ~ 100 homes/year

• Over 2 million bundles safely stored; approx. 4 million projected by 2035

• Currently stored on an interim basis at 7 major licensed reactor facilities– Ontario: 90%– Quebec: 5%– New Brunswick: 5%

• Excellent storage safety record

• The toxicity of used nuclear fuel reduces with time, but it remains a potential hazard essentially indefinitely

Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel

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Used fuel storage at Ontario Power Generation’s Western Waste Management Facility

Dry Storage Container

Used Nuclear Fuel - Interim Storage

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Used Nuclear Fuel – Interim Storage Sites

Used Nuclear Fuel – History

1978: Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program initiated to develop geologic disposal of used nuclear fuel

1989 to 1998: Seaborn Panel» Found public support for AECL concept not demonstrated

2002: Nuclear Fuel Waste Act» NWMO established» Adaptive Phased Management emerged from 3-y dialogue with

Canadians

2007: NWMO begins to implement government approved plan –Adaptive Phased Management

One billion dollars invested in technical research

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NWMO

• NWMO is a not-for-profit organization, federally registered

• Funded by owners of used fuel– 91% Ontario Power Generation – 8% Hydro-Québec & NBPower – 1% Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd

• Board of Directors– Seven members appointed by Ontario Power Generation– One each for Hydro-Québec and NBPower

• Advisory Council– Ten members appointed by Board– Provides independent guidance and advice

• NWMO is growing: 10 employees in 2002; 80 in 2008 and >2009 ~200

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Study of Options (2002-2005)

Three options:• Deep Geological Disposal in

Canadian Shield• Storage at Nuclear Reactor Sites• Centralized Storage (above or

below ground)

Study Process:• 18,000 contributed to Study• 120 information & discussion

sessions across the country• 2500 Aboriginal people participated

in dialogues• 50,000 visit www.nwmo.ca

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http://www.nwmo.ca/

nwmo NWMO Study Plan

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2002 2003 2004 2005Conversations

About Expectations

Exploringthe Fundamental

Issues2Evaluation

of ManagementApproaches

Finalizingthe Study

Report

NWMO submitted its formal study and recommendations to the Minister of Natural Resources Canada on November 3, 2005.

Discussion Document #1

Discussion Document #2 Draft Study Report

Final Study

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NWMO Study - Phases & Documents

Iterative Study Process with 4 phases of Engagement & Analysis

Public feedback shaped & directed subsequent steps

NWMO observations & conclusions were tested & validated

Listen & learn

Are we asking the right questions?

Understanding the choices

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Safety and security are top priorities

This generation must take action now

Approach must be adaptable to new knowledge and societal priorities

What Canadians Told NWMO

NWMO Recommendation

Available at www.nwmo.ca

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Adaptive Phased Management

A Technical Method A Management System

Centralized containment and isolation of used nuclear fuel in deep geological repository

Continuous monitoring

Potential for retrievability

Optional step of shallow underground storage

Flexibility in pace and manner of implementation

Phased and adaptive decision-making

Responsive to advances in technology, research, Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge, societal values

Public engagement & site selection focused in 4 nuclear provinces (NB, ON, QC, SK)

Open, inclusive, fair siting process to seek informed, willing host community

NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION | Page 1212


A Technical Method

Centralized containment and isolation of used nuclear fuel in deep geological repository

Continuous monitoring

Potential for retrievability

Optional step of shallow underground storage



A Management SystemFlexible in pace & implementation

Phased and adaptive decision-making

Adapts to new technology, research, societal values, Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge

Public engagement & site selection focused in 4 nuclear provinces (NB, ON, QC, SK)

Open, inclusive, fair siting process to seek informed, willing host community


Centralized Deep Geological Repository

• Multi-barrier safety system• Retrievable• Monitored• Future generation will decide

when to close

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DGR Concept: Multi-barrier System

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Deep and low-permeability rock mass

Ceramic used fuel

Long-lived container

Clay seals

Uranium deposit is about 100,000 tonnes at depth of about 400 metresPage 17

Natural Analogue – Cigar Lake Ore Deposit

Used Fuel - International Management Programs

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Country National Decision Repository Program Status

Canada (20) Geological repository Developing siting process

China (11) Geological repository Siting studies underway

Finland (4) Geological repository Site selected in 2001; Operation by 2020

France (59) Reprocessing +Geological repository

Site selection by 2015; Operation by 2025

Germany (17) Geological repository Two candidate sites by 2010?, Operation by 2030?

Japan (55) Reprocessing +Geological repository

Siting process started 2002; Operation by 2035?

Sweden (10) Geological repository Site selection by 2009; Operation by 2020

Switzerland (5) Geological repository Siting process started in 2008; Operation by 2040?

UK (19) Geological repository Siting process started in 2008

USA (104) Geological repository Site selected in 1987; Operation by 2021?

(#) Number of nuclear power plants

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To support a repository in crystalline and sedimentary rockRepository EngineeringGeoscienceSafety Assessment

To assess alternative / emerging technologies:Reprocessing, partitioning and transmutation; Very deep boreholes

Peer review:Independent Technical Review Group established in 2008

International Cooperation:Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and FranceParticipation in Underground Research Laboratories in Sweden (Äspö HRL) and Switzerland (Mont Terri)

Implementing APM - Technical Research

Implementing APM - Collaboration

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Implementing APM - Building Relationships

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Engagement is one of the NWMO’s five values.• Build awareness, understanding and support among Canadians for APM

• Federal and Provincial Governments- Elected officials and staff

• Municipal Forum- Working with Federation of Canadian Municipalities & municipal associations- Discuss local perspectives- Advance research (e.g., sustainable communities, best practices in engagement,

community toolkits)

• Interest-Based Organizations- NGOs, Community Groups

• Young People- Youth Roundtable to advise on youth engagement strategy

Implementing APM - Aboriginal Engagement

• NFWA makes special mention of working with Aboriginal people

• NWMO Elders’ Forum• Aboriginal working group -

Niigani• Work with national

organizations to establish protocols to support Aboriginal involvement in engagement

• Work with geographically related provincial/regional groups to establish protocol agreements once potentially interested communities are in siting process

• Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge

Implementing APM - Social Research

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Study citizen priorities and concerns related to APM through Citizen Panels, focus groups

Study best practices in stakeholder engagement, capacity building, impact assessment and sustaining community well-being

Track and understand citizen expectations and public attitudes

National telephone surveys

e-dialogues

Implementing APM - Timeline

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To seek input to design a process for selecting a site

Step 1: Dialogue to guide the development of a process (2008)

Step 2: Broad public dialogue and review of a proposed Siting Process (2009)

Step 3: Initiate site selection process (post-2009)

Implementing APM - Dialogue on Siting

Dialogue on Siting Process Design

Does the framework of objectives, ethical principles and requirements provide a sound foundation for designing the process for selecting a site?

How can we ensure that the process for selecting a site is fair?

From what models and experience should we draw in designing the process?

Who should be involved in the process for selecting a site, and what should be their role?

What information and tools would facilitate your participation?

What else needs to be considered?

What We Heard – Key Recommendations

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• Clear steps, roles and responsibilities• Clear project description• Fair presentation of the potential benefits and risks to community

• Community-driven process• Willing community• Commitment to community well-being• Involve neighbouring regions• Address concerns of transportation communities • Build capacity

• Third-party review• Active role for NWMO in engaging and supporting communities • Early screening based on exclusionary criteria

Elements of Proposal - NWMO Commitments

• Focus on New Brunswick, Québec, Ontario and Saskatchewan - interest from other provinces welcome

• Informed, willing host community• Site must meet strict, scientifically –

determined safety requirements

• Will meet or exceed all regulatory requirements

• Community well-being enhanced

• Respect Aboriginal rights and treaties

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NWMO final report following a 3-year study between 2002-2005 – available at www.nwmo.ca

Project Description

• National infrastructure project to develop, licence, build and operate a deep geological repository

• $16 to $24 billion high-technology project

• Supported by technical and research programs

• Site will become a centre of expertise and international collaboration

• Sited and developed over 30 years; operated for 60 years or more

• Requirements: – approx. 2 x 3 km (600 hectares); – rigorous scientific and technical specification

• Skilled employment for hundreds over many decades

• Significant economic benefits for community, region and province

• Long-term partnership with NWMO, community, and government

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Proposal for Site Selection Process - Timeline

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• Spring 2009• Publish Draft proposal for public review and discussion

• Spring through Fall 2009• Broad-based engagement program to invite public discussion about the Draft

proposal

• Many activities in regional centres, national and provincial capitals, reactor site communities:- Information and discussion sessions, open houses- Multi-party dialogues – by invitation roundtables- Focus groups - Aboriginal dialogues

• Written submissions, comments, web-based surveys

• Late 2009 • Revise Site Selection Process with public input• Prepare to initiate siting process

www.nwmo.ca

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Canadian & international studies have shown that both crystalline rock and sedimentary rock are suitable for long-term containment and isolation of used fuel

Country Rock Types Considered Status of Research / InvestigationsFinland Crystalline Constructing URL / DGR → graniteSweden Crystalline Äspö URL granite; DGR investigations → 2 sitesBelgium Sedimentary URL → sedimentaryFrance Sedimentary & Crystalline Bure URL sedimentary rock; Siting → sedimentarySwitzerland Sedimentary & Crystalline URLs in both rock types; Siting → sedimentaryCanada Crystalline & Sedimentary URL → granite closing; Studies → both rock typesJapan Crystalline & Sedimentary Constructing URLs → both rock typesSpain Crystalline & Sedimentary Studies → both rock typesUK Crystalline & Sedimentary NDA responsible for implementationGermany Salt URL → salt investigations stopped; Under reviewUSA Volcanic Tuff Yucca Mountain site investigations → issues

Potentially Suitable Host Formations

Research- Engineering

Main R&D Areas:

Used Fuel Integrity

Container Corrosion

Sealing Material Development

Repository Design

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Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission • Regulates the life cycle of nuclear facilities (site preparation, construction, operation and decommissioning)

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency • Requires Environmental Assessment before licensing process is initiated

Transport Canada • Regulates the transportation of radioactive material

Provincial Agencies • Specific regulations (e.g. water quality)

Regulatory Oversight in Canada

Transportation Options – 3 Possible Modes

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1. All Road

(i.e., truck)

2. Mostly Rail

(i.e., rail + road)

3. Mostly Water

(i.e., water + road)