RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

and transmutation should not decrease below the current level. On the other hand it is difficult
at present to find strong reasons to increase the funding. The judgement of in what direction and
at what pace the field will develop is still unclear and highly uncertain. A relatively large study
of a European experimental facility with ADS is planned within the EU’s Sixth Framework
Programme. Furthermore, the big French programme during 2006 will probably undergo a
thorough evaluation according to the special law from 1991. These events may lead to a clearer
picture regarding the future of P&T. It does not seem reasonable to increase the Swedish efforts
in P&T at this time.
SKB intends to continue to conduct domestic research at universities and institutes of
technology on roughly the same scale as now. The purpose of the research will primarily be
to participate towards clarification of fundamental technical questions surrounding P&T. The
focus should particularly be on questions of safety, materials, process design, and composition
of the waste streams. In this way, domestic competence will be created and SKB will have
a basis for judging the prospects for and features of systems for P&T. The work will also be
pursued in close contact with international development efforts in the field.
SKB may also want to participate – in an appropriate way, at an appropriate time and on an
appropriate scale – in international (particularly EU) projects that may be launched.
23.2 Disposal in Very Deep Holes
In the disposal alternative known as Very Deep Holes, canisters of spent nuclear fuel are
deposited at a depth of between two and four kilometres. The rock constitutes the most
important barrier for isolating the waste. At a depth of two to four kilometres, groundwater
conditions are assumed to be very stable. Any groundwater movements that do occur are
expected to occur at great depth without any contact with the ground surface. This would
mean that no radionuclides could be transported up to the surface, but this remains to be shown.
Conclusions in RD&D 2001 and its review
SKB has previously studied what scope and content would be needed in an R&D-programme
to make it possible to evaluate the Very Deep Holes concept on equivalent grounds as KBS-3
/23-21/. The study showed that it would take more than 30 years and cost four billion kronor
to achieve the same level of knowledge as for KBS-3. Most of this time would be required for
geoscientific research. Development of drilling technology involves great uncertainties and
could delay the programme further and also increase the costs. SKB’s judgement is that there is
no evidence that safety would increase or costs decrease if the spent fuel were instead disposed
of in Very Deep Holes. There is therefore no reason to carry out the programme. The resources
should instead be concentrated on realizing a repository based on the KBS-3 method in the near
future.
SKI says in its review that the need for and scope of a safety assessment of the VDH concept
should be discussed within the framework of the consultation between SKB and the authorities
that the Government decided on in 1996 and 2001.
SSI says that an account that includes a safety assessment of VDH could comply with the
requirement for an account of alternatives that is mentioned in the Environmental Code.
Kasam shares SKB’s opinion that adequate reasons do not exist for implementing the outlined
RD&D programme for Very Deep Holes. They believe that strong reasons exist for the current
direction of the Swedish nuclear waste programme, i.e. continued development work aimed at
direct disposal according to the KBS-3 method.
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