RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

Newfound knowledge since RD&D 2001
The short-lived waste from decommissioning of NPPs will be disposed of in an extension
to SFR, which must be finished before a major decommissioning programme starts. This is
estimated to occur no earlier than 2020. The power companies bear overall responsibility for
obtaining the permits required and planning for decommissioning of their own plants.
Since RD&D 2001, the following activities have been carried out:
• Development of method for dry interim storage of core components as an alternative to
storage in Clab.
• Establishment of register of decommissioning documentation.
• Introduction of system for registration of waste intended for disposal in future repository
for low- and intermediate-level waste.
24.4 Programme
The overall goals of SKB’s activities in the decommissioning field are to:
• Ensure that knowledge and technology for decommissioning are developed in good time
before detailed planning of the decommissioning work begins. Is is, however, the owners
of the nuclear installations who are responsible for ensuring that the necessary permits are
obtained and for carrying out decommissioning of their own installations.
• Carry out cost calculations as a basis for determining the need for allocations to a sinking
fund for future decommissioning costs.
• Ensure that the radioactive waste from decommissioning can be properly managed,
transported and disposed of.
These goals are being met by keeping track of international development efforts and applying
this experience to Swedish conditions, as well as by conducting independent studies and
following the rebuilding and repair work being done in the Swedish nuclear installations.
A final repository for the short-lived waste must be ready to receive waste when decommissioning
is begun on a large scale. The plan is to add an extension to SFR and license the entire
facility for short-lived waste from both operation and decommissioning. Final disposal of the
long-lived core components is planned to take place at a later stage, when most of the Swedish
NPPs have been decommissioned. This means that the waste has to be kept in interim storage
for some time. This is possible today in Clab, but an extension of Clab is required if all longlived
decommissioning waste is to be placed in interim storage there. SKB has therefore studied
alternative interim storage alternatives.
The main thrust of the work during the upcoming six-year period will be:
• Studies regarding disposal of whole reactor pressure vessels and other large components.
This should be possible, with savings in the form of both reduced dose load and time
savings, but the consequences for transport and deposition need to be studied.
• An update of historical decommissioning studies is being carried out where various
questions are examined in the light of present-day knowledge. A more comprehensive
decommissioning study is being conducted.
• Estimation of dose budget for decommissioning of NPPs.
• Management of inactive waste (quantities, disposal, reuse).
• Overview of decommissioning logistics. Examine the consequences of extending operation
from 40 to 60 years. Plan for the phase-out considering the fact that the resources for the
phase-out will be limited.
• Preliminary safety assessments of final repository for short-lived waste (coordination
of final repository for operational waste with final repository for short-lived waste).
• Work on a preliminary safety evaluation of long-term safety in the final disposal of
long-lived low- and intermediate-level waste will begin at the end of the period.
326 RD&D-Programme 2004