The nuclear energy sector is experiencing a renaissance, with an increasing number of countries turning to nuclear power to secure their energy supply and reduce carbon emissions. This resurgence has brought the spotlight back onto radioactive waste management, a critical component of the nuclear fuel cycle that demands international collaboration and innovative solutions. Rebecca Tadesse and Gabriele Grassi, experts from the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, emphasise the urgency of this global cooperation.
The 2020s have seen a significant uptick in countries expressing interest in nuclear energy programmes. In 2023, 30 countries signed a declaration to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, underscoring the sector’s pivotal role in achieving net-zero commitments. This growth, coupled with the rapid development of new and advanced nuclear technologies, necessitates a reassessment of how to manage the life cycle of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive waste.
Since the inception of civilian nuclear energy over 70 years ago, the industry has responsibly addressed the entire life cycle of its materials. However, the global nature of the industry, the urgency to develop effective low-carbon energy solutions, and the speed of technological innovation make managing radioactive waste most effectively pursued through international collaboration. This collaboration involves sharing information, harmonising approaches, and avoiding duplication of work.
The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) has been at the forefront of radioactive waste management research, technology, and policy since 1958. It is committed to supporting its 34 member countries in this long-term endeavour. The NEA’s work is crucial as the world grapples with the challenges of managing radioactive waste, particularly spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste (HLW).
Radioactive materials produced in nuclear reactors are classified based on their radioactivity and decay time, ranging from very low-level waste to high-level waste. Much of this waste’s radioactivity decays over a few centuries, but a small fraction remains hazardous for thousands of years. This long-term hazard has sparked debates about the sustainability of nuclear energy. However, the global scientific consensus is clear: the permanent disposal of SNF/HLW in a deep geological repository (DGR) is a safe and effective solution.
DGRs are engineered tunnels excavated several hundred metres underground in carefully selected host rock formations. These repositories house SNF/HLW within secure cannisters, providing a reliable method for ensuring environmental and human safety over the long term. Decades of research worldwide have led independent national regulators to endorse DGRs as the optimal solution for the permanent disposal of SNF/HLW.
The construction of DGRs is a complex process that requires extensive geological studies and stakeholder engagement. Countries like Finland, Canada, France, Sweden, and Switzerland are advancing their DGR programmes with effective stakeholder involvement and by identifying suitable sites and establishing the required regulatory and legal frameworks. Securing public trust and obtaining a ‘social licence’ for the repository’s construction and operation is crucial.
The extended timeframe of a DGR’s operation poses unique challenges, such as communicating the repository’s importance to future generations and adapting to advances in science and technology. Extensive and transparent dialogue with all stakeholders is indispensable when planning a DGR. This includes agreeing on the solution, finding a site, and building, filling, and maintaining it. Stakeholder engagement can take many forms, from expert consultations to public hearings and parliamentary sessions.
The NEA plays a vital role in supporting these efforts, maintaining a database of features, events, and processes (FEP) that can inform the scenarios to be examined within the safety case for a DGR. The NEA’s work is crucial as the world navigates the complexities of radioactive waste management in the context of a growing nuclear energy sector.
The growing interest in nuclear energy as a low-carbon source of power and heat has led to the development of a multiplicity of new reactor concepts. These advancements, while promising, also present new challenges for radioactive waste management. International collaboration, as advocated by Tadesse and Grassi, will be key to addressing these challenges and ensuring the safe and effective management of radioactive waste in the 21st century.
The news of increased international collaboration in radioactive waste management is a game-changer for the nuclear energy sector. It signals a shift towards a more coordinated and harmonised approach to managing the challenges of nuclear waste. This collaboration is not just about sharing information and avoiding duplication of work; it’s about building a global consensus on the best practices for radioactive waste management.
As more countries turn to nuclear energy to meet their energy needs and reduce carbon emissions, the importance of effective radioactive waste management cannot be overstated. The work of the NEA and the international collaboration it advocates will be crucial in shaping the future of the nuclear energy sector. This collaboration will not only help to address the challenges of radioactive waste management but also pave the way for the safe and sustainable growth of nuclear energy. The sector
