One Step at a Time The Staged Development of Geologic Repositories for High-Level Radioactive Waste (2003) / Chapter Skim
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4. Impacts of Adaptive Staging on a Repository Program
4. Impacts of Adaptive Staging on a Repository Program
Pages 62-98
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From page 62... ...
4.1 Knowledge gaps There are several knowledge gaps that must be consiclered when judging whether to apply the principles of Adaptive Staging in repository development. These fall into three categories related to: the effectiveness of Adaptive Staging; 62
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From page 63... ...
4.~.2 Implementation procedures In addition to generic knowledge gaps of any geologic repository development program,4 there are gaps concerning the implementation of Adaptive Staging, particularly from an institutional perspective. Examples of key questions are shown here: Examples of knowledge gaps common to Linear and Adaptive Staging are: (1)
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From page 64... ...
As for the second issue, there have been few geologic repository programs in which stakeholders or the general public have been engaged in technological decision-making.2 A mechanism for including them in the decision-making process remains untested and thus unknown. However, mechanisms are being debated in many countries (NEA, 2002~.
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From page 65... ...
A guiding principle of Adaptive Staging is that opportunities should be grasped to implement specific scientific or social science research aimed at filling the knowledge gaps, reducing uncertainties, and improving safely. 4.2 Impact on repository program's phases3 Adaptive Staging affects repository operations, costs, schedules, buffer surface storage, waste transportation, monitoring, and the long-term science and technology program.
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From page 66... ...
Both Linear and Adaptive Staging reference designs can be changed through license amendments, but under Adaptive Staging the regulator acknowledges the possibility of changing the repository design after the first license is granted. Another difference between Adaptive and Linear Staging is that with Adaptive Staging if flexibility and reversibility are maintained in the reference framework, agreement on goals is sufficient.
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From page 67... ...
-Planning a long-term science and technology program to address technical knowledge gaps. -Expanding the monitoring program to assess pre-closure and post-closure performance and to address technical, societal, and institutional knowledge gaps.
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From page 68... ...
. The mechanisms most appropriate for societal monitoring of repository development, performance confirmation, and ensuring the transparency and auditability of repository construction and operations.
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From page 69... ...
Research could be devoted to the following tasks: Determining the relative efficacy of alternative methods for engaging independent bodies and stakeholders to assess the development and operational phases of radioactive waste management programs. Identifying the most effective communication mechanisms for the sharing of relevant information among institutional stakeholders, stakeholders, and the public.
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From page 70... ...
. , — r—- — r~ ~, eases on Ine acove reasoning, tne proposed program of social science research, with its provision for societal and institutional learning, for increasing trust in implementing institutions, and for testing methods for stakeholder and public involvement, can enhance knowledge of the societal and institutional context of Adaptive Staging and thus increase the chances of repository program success.
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From page 71... ...
Examples of learning opportunities about participation mechanisms and techniques for stakeholder engagement are: The continued engagement of the stakeholder advisory board during the pilot, the demonstration, and subsequent stages that would: -interact with the technical oversight group; -review new information collected and take part in the evaluations of stage performance; -have input at decision points about how to proceed when a stage is completed; and -advise on the pilot experiments of public involvement mechanisms.
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From page 72... ...
Parallel to the scientific experiments should be societal research whose goal is to test alternative mechanisms for public participation. To ensure transparency, results from such a research program are shared with the stakeholder advisory board and the technical oversight group, who can also provide input on research activities.
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From page 73... ...
First, they maximize learning and improve the repository program throughout the years of operation. Second, they may accelerate the schedule and lower costs of first waste emplacement because of the simplified and limited logistical requirements.
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From page 74... ...
This diagram is a modified version of the schematic concept proposed for a geologic repository facility in Switzerland, which also includes a pilot and a test facility. The nomenclature used here, however, differs from that used by the Swiss Expert Group on Disposal Concepts for Radioactive Waste (EKRA)
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From page 75... ...
The test, pilot, and demonstration activities increase the likelihood of uninterrupled full-scale repository emplacement operations. Although full-scale operations may begin later than with a Linearly Staged program, waste emplacement may end earlier, reducing overall costs (see the impacts on schedule and costs, Section 4.5~.
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From page 76... ...
addressing unresolved questions of repository processes, un hindered by the demands of waste disposal operations Risk · providing for systematic procedures for stakeholder and public involvement (see Sidebar 4.2) as well as for independent technical oversight.
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From page 77... ...
stakeholders and the technical oversight group can contribute to the definition of, and subsequent amendments to, the post-closure monitoring program. As waste emplacement in the repository continues over decades, the repository's maximum allowable capacity will be approached or reached.
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From page 78... ...
A range of options for continued safeguarding should be considered, including planning for the maintenance of a monitoring program that would continue indefinitely into the future as long as it is deemed necessary and important to future generations. Perpetuation of such a program presumes that society's awareness of the existence of the repository persists.
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From page 79... ...
FIGURE 4.3 Commidee's examples of decision tree and activities during the late operational, closure, and post-closure phases of a repository program using Adapfive Staging. A variety of monitoring activities is ongoing during these phases.
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From page 80... ...
Increased buffer storage allows for flexibility in the system, and affects the need for at-reactor storage and transportation capacity. A costand schedule-driven Linear Staging approach tends to minimize buffer storage and aims for "just-in-time" delivery of waste.
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From page 81... ...
The final transportation program may then incorporate more safety features and follow optimized routes, be more cost-effective, and better address public concerns. 4.5 Impact on program schedule and costs The impacts of Adaptive Staging on program schedule and costs are: up-front investments for test and pilot facilities; increased costs for high capability of buffer surface storage; · added time and costs for Decision Points; · investment for a continuing monitoring program (see Section 4.6~; and .
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From page 82... ...
Public concerns, opposition, and controversy are recognized challenges to a geologic repository program (see Section 1.2~. Thus, while the flexibility of Adaptive Staging may lead to short-term delays and added initial costs, the medium-term effect may be a cost saving because of enhanced acceptance of the repository.
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From page 83... ...
4.6 Impact on the monitoring program A credible, comprehensive monitoring program is an integral part of any management approach for repository development, but takes on increased value and importance under Adaptive Staging because monitoring allows for systematic learning. The impacts of Adaptive Staging for the monitoring program are: .
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From page 84... ...
An Adaptively Staged monitoring program will continue for as long as deemed necessary by the implementer, regulator, and stakeholders.~° Second: monitoring by definition is the primary fool for obtaining data required for systematic learning; that is, monitoring provides information for essential repository management decisions. In the context of an Adaptively Staged geologic repository program, the monitoring program should feed into the Decision Points.
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From page 85... ...
During the long operational life of a repository, new monitoring technology will likely lead to modifications of the monitoring program. The monitoring program extends throughout the repository program and well into the post-closure phase.
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From page 86... ...
Baseline measurements are sufficiently diverse and frequent to anticipate future needs in performance confirmation. Eighth: an Adaptively Staged monitoring program is strongly linked to and integrated with the performance confirmation program and the long-term science and technology program in the following way (see Figure E.2 in Appendix E)
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· How extensive should a monitoring program be?
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From page 88... ...
In Linear Staging the role of a science and technology program, particularly after licensing, might be viewed as minimal. While some research might continue to confirm repository behavior, the emphasis is on implementation of the reference case with the minimal changes.
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From page 89... ...
It also requires hiring and retaining qualified scientific staff to function as a sustainable pool of knowledge for long-term science and technology programs. It requires a highly qualified staff to analyze and interpret data collected by the monitoring program and to provide input and feedback into the monitoring program.
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From page 90... ...
The activities associated with the construction and operation of a geologic repository are extensions of familiar industrial activities in mining, handling heavy equipment, and handling substances that emit strong ionizing radiation. The unique aspects in repository operations are that the heavy waste packages that emit the radiation must be removed from a controlled shielded environment at the surface to the underground drifts (shielded or unshielded)
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From page 91... ...
If rapid removal of high-level waste from surface storage at reactor sites is considered to be necessary to address terrorist threats, then other solutions beyond a geologic repository program will have to be considered. From this perspective there appears to be no significant difference in impact on security between Adaptive Staging and Linear Staging.
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From page 92... ...
To the extent that repository design, construction, and operation options are kept open beyond the initial license application, the licensing process with Adaptive Staging might become more complex for both the implementer and the regulator for example, if the implementer builds into the license application mechanisms to change the repository design and operating modes on the basis of information gathered during the early operational phase. In spite of the added complexity, Adaptive Staging may be beneficial to the regulatory framework.
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From page 93... ...
In this context, Adaptive Staging may provide additional confidence to stakeholders. The openness inherent in Adaptive Staging may increase public trust in the regulator and by extension in the repository program.
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From page 94... ...
7~. The need for public confidence to achieve successful implementation of radioactive waste management is also recognized by the International Association for the Environmentally Safe Disposal of Radioactive Materials (EDRAM)
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Therefore, social science work needs to be an integral component of the overall process of developing a successful repository program. In paralle!
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3. Adaptive Staging provides stakeholders opposed to the repository program additional opportunities to deliberately delay the program (with obstructions at Decision Points)
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From page 97... ...
· Societal: Allowing stakeholder participation in the decision-making process can make the repository program more credible and trustworthy. Previous National Research Council committees have discussed the benefits of broad public participation in governmental agencies' decision-making processes (NRC, 1994, 1996, 2001~.
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From page 98... ...
Given the limited successes of Linear Staging, and given Adaptive Staging's use of multiple Decision Points for addressing Linear Staging's limitations, the committee judges that a successful repository program is more likely with Adaptive Staging.
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