Abstract
Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND) is tasked with the decommissioning of the Norwegian nuclear facilities located at Halden and Kjeller and the related development of disposal solutions. The present report summarises the work carried out in NND’s disposal concept choice study 2023–2025.
The aim of the concept choice study was to present available disposal concepts and evaluate their suitability for management of Norway’s radioactive waste. For evaluation of the disposal options, a systematic and transparent methodology was developed. This method was applied to evaluate the disposal concepts as well as locating them in one or several facilities and to present the argumentation for the evaluation outcome.
Disposal concept options were evaluated for very low-level waste (VLLW), low-levelwaste (LLW), short-lived intermediate-level waste (ILW-SL), long-lived intermediate-level waste (ILW-LL) and high-level waste (HLW)/spent nuclear fuel (SNF). The methodology consisted of three main steps: screening, individual concept assessment and combined concept assessment. The assessment was done by an experienced expert group using a multi-criteria approach.
As a result of the assessment process, the following concepts were recommended to be actively developed in the next phases of the programme:
• Reference option: combination #1 (Cavern/Silo and Vertical Single)
• Alternative option: combination #3 (Cavern/Silo and Deep Borehole)
The concepts enable disposal of the waste in a safe and secure manner. The reference option is based on mature concepts for different waste types applied in the Nordic countries. In this option, HLW/SNF is to be disposed of in individual vertical disposal holes in an excavated deep geological repository, and all other radioactive waste in caverns or silos, depending on the geological conditions of the eventual disposal site.
The alternative option is a combination of a mature concept (Cavern/Silo) for VLLW and LILW, but a developing concept for HLW/SNF, i.e. a deep borehole, which is suited for small inventories with potential to streamline the implementation.
In addition, two options will be followed even though not actively developed: tunnel disposal of HLW/SNF and near-surface disposal of VLLW. Keeping these options open will enhance flexibility in the disposal programme related to siting and in the case of changes in the waste inventory, and disposal schedule
The aim of the concept choice study was to present available disposal concepts and evaluate their suitability for management of Norway’s radioactive waste. For evaluation of the disposal options, a systematic and transparent methodology was developed. This method was applied to evaluate the disposal concepts as well as locating them in one or several facilities and to present the argumentation for the evaluation outcome.
Disposal concept options were evaluated for very low-level waste (VLLW), low-levelwaste (LLW), short-lived intermediate-level waste (ILW-SL), long-lived intermediate-level waste (ILW-LL) and high-level waste (HLW)/spent nuclear fuel (SNF). The methodology consisted of three main steps: screening, individual concept assessment and combined concept assessment. The assessment was done by an experienced expert group using a multi-criteria approach.
As a result of the assessment process, the following concepts were recommended to be actively developed in the next phases of the programme:
• Reference option: combination #1 (Cavern/Silo and Vertical Single)
• Alternative option: combination #3 (Cavern/Silo and Deep Borehole)
The concepts enable disposal of the waste in a safe and secure manner. The reference option is based on mature concepts for different waste types applied in the Nordic countries. In this option, HLW/SNF is to be disposed of in individual vertical disposal holes in an excavated deep geological repository, and all other radioactive waste in caverns or silos, depending on the geological conditions of the eventual disposal site.
The alternative option is a combination of a mature concept (Cavern/Silo) for VLLW and LILW, but a developing concept for HLW/SNF, i.e. a deep borehole, which is suited for small inventories with potential to streamline the implementation.
In addition, two options will be followed even though not actively developed: tunnel disposal of HLW/SNF and near-surface disposal of VLLW. Keeping these options open will enhance flexibility in the disposal programme related to siting and in the case of changes in the waste inventory, and disposal schedule
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND) |
| Number of pages | 140 |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
| MoE publication type | D4 Published development or research report or study |
Publication series
| Series | NND Technical Report |
|---|---|
| Volume | 2025 |