Selecting Strategies For The Decommissioning Of Nuclear Facilities

A range of general and site specific factors needs to be considered when selecting a proper decommissioning strategy in a specific nuclear facility, including cost, health and safety issues, environmental (HSE) impact, availability of resources and stakeholder involvement. This publication seeks to identify key aspects of good decommissioning practice and to provide recommendations to Member States on dealing with constraining factors.

Considers the key strategic factors involved in planning for the decommissioning of a nuclear facility which can cover a range of topics from technical matters to socio-economic and environmental issues. This report considers the impact of factors on the strategy selection and how factors in combination can be used to select the optimum strategy.

Nuclear Decommissioning Case Studies: Policies, Strategies, Planning and Knowledge Management focuses on policy, strategy, planning and knowledge management in nuclear decommissioning, offering readers guidance on events that occur in early stages of the lifecycle. The book helps readers plan in advance to avoid and reduce schedule delays and cost overruns to ensure a smooth, safe and successful decommissioning. Events covered in this book range from top-level conception, to strategy selection, the drafting of procedures, and the sharing of best practices. Alongside the other case study books in this series, readers will obtain an understanding of various key points and lessons learned. Decommissioning experts, including regulators, operators, waste managers, researchers and academics will find this book to be suitable supplementary material to Michele Laraia’s reference works on the theory and applications of nuclear decommissioning. Presents a selection of global case studies that focus on the early stages of nuclear decommissioning Highlights the need to ensure sustainability plans are in place at the beginning of a nuclear project Informs decision-makers on selecting the best options Assists the reader in setting clear plans and strategies to avoid schedule delays and cost overruns

As modern nuclear power programmes mature and large, commercial nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities approach the end of their useful life by reason of age, economics or change of policy on the use of nuclear power, new challenges associated with decommissioning and dismantling come to the fore. Politicians and the public may expect there to be a "right answer" to the choice of strategy for a particular type of facility, or even all facilities. Both this seminar and wider experience show that this is not the case. Local factors and national political positions have a significant input and often result in widely differing strategy approaches to broadly similar decommissioning projects. All facility owners represented at the seminar were able to demonstrate a rational process for strategy selection and compelling arguments for the choices made. In addition to the papers that were presented, these proceedings include a summary of the discussions that took place.

Once a nuclear installation has reached the end of its safe and economical operational lifetime, the need for its decommissioning arises. Different strategies can be employed for nuclear decommissioning, based on the evaluation of particular hazards and their attendant risks, as well as on the analysis of costs of clean-up and waste management. This allows for decommissioning either soon after permanent shutdown, or perhaps a long time later, the latter course allowing for radioactivity levels to drop in any activated or contaminated components. It is crucial for clear processes and best practices to be applied in decommissioning such installations and sites, particular where any significant health and environmental risks exist. This book critically reviews the nuclear decommissioning processes and technologies applicable to nuclear power plants and other civilian nuclear facilities. Part one focuses on the fundamental planning issues in starting a nuclear decommissioning process, from principles and safety regulations, to financing and project management. Part two covers the execution phase of nuclear decommissioning projects, detailing processes and technologies such as dismantling, decontamination, and radioactive waste management, as well as environmental remediation, site clearance and reuse. Finally, part three details international experience in the decommissioning of nuclear applications, including the main nuclear reactor types and nuclear fuel cycle facilities, as well as small nuclear facilities and legacy nuclear waste sites. Critically reviews nuclear decommissioning processes and technologies applicable to nuclear power plants and other civilian nuclear facilities Discusses the fundamental planning issues in starting a nuclear decommissioning process Considers the execution phase of nuclear decommissioning projects, including dismantling, decontamination, and radioactive waste management, as well as environmental remediation, site clearance and reuse