1. Disposal of Spent Fuel Science and Acceptance in Sweden
Magnus Holmqvist President
SKB International AB

2. Sweden 10 reactors at 3 sites (after June 1st 2005) ~45% electricity
10,600 (12,000) tonnes of spent fuel
Phase out of reactors in

3. License application submitted March 2011
Backfill
Spent Fuel Repository at Forsmark
Rock
Buffer
Både lokalisering- och teknik
Platsvalet genomfördes i juni 2009
Två miljarder år gammalt urberg
Tektonisk lins
Få vattenförande sprickor
De sprickor som finns är mycket gamla
Stabilitet ger förutsägbarhet
Synnerligen väl lämpad plats för vår metod
Canister
Typområden
1977–1985
Översiktsstudier
1990-tal
Förstudier
1993–2002
Encapsulation plant in Oskarshamn

4. The KBS-3 concept for disposal of spent nuclear fuel
Fuel pellet of uranium dioxide
Spent nuclear fuel
Copper canister with cast-iron insert
Cladding tube
BWR fuel assemblies
Bedrock
Bentonite clay
Primary safety function: Total containment
Secondary safety function: Retardation
Final repository for spent nuclear fuel

5. Research, development and siting A long science based process
2015
Technology implementation, licensing
and building of encapsulation plant
and repository
2010
2015
m/s Sigrid in operation
Site investigations, Technology development
2005
2010
Site selection Forsmark
2000
Bentonite Laboratory
2005
Feasibility studies and development of scientific basis
2000
1995
Canister Laboratory
Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory
1995
Methodology development
1990
1990
1988
RD&D programme reviewed and approved every three years
SFR in operation
1985
1985
Clab in operation
1983
1980
KBS-3 concept
1976
m/s Sigyn in operation

6. Geological disposal - a new and broad field for research in 1976
Long time perspectives requires detailed understanding of processes
Broad and cross-cutting scientific research needed – basic and applied:
Fuel behaviour and dissolution
Canister corrosion and mechanical stability
Buffer stability
Hydrogeology in fractured rock
Geochemistry and groundwater processes
Speciation and transport of radionuclides in buffer and rock
Surface ecosystem – changes over time (glaciations)
R&D at universities, in laboratories and in the field – driven by safety assessments

7. Safety assessment – scientific areas
Climate
Surface ecosystem
Transport of radionuclides
Geology
Bentonite
Hydrogeology
Canister material
Geochemistry and Microbiology
Fuel

8. SKB’s full scale laboratories
Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory,
in operation since 1996
Preceeded by Stripa mine project
Canister Laboratory, in operation since 1998
Bentonite Laboratory, in operation since 2007 8

9. An open and peer reviewed RD&D process
All results from research activities published openly in SKB reports and in peer reviewed journals
RD&D programme published every three years describing:
Results of RD&D performed
Plans for RD&D still needed
Plans for development of remaining facilities
Formal review by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) based on a broad review by scientific communities, affected municipalities, NGOs and others
Approved by the Government as planning document
Provides possibilities to adapt and change directions.

10. International cooperation – key for success
International cooperation sought from the start of the project, as
All knowledge was not available in Sweden, and
Other countries were more advanced
International projects coordinated by SKB in Swedish facilities:
Stripa Mine Project (under NEA auspices)
JSS project with Japan on vitrified waste
Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory – wide international participation
EU projects in Äspö
Participation in projects abroad
International peer review (NEA) of the safety assessment submitted with the licence application

11. Siting of the repository for spent nuclear fuel
Knowledge accumulation
Siting process
Decision on site
2009
Hultsfred
Malå Nyköping Oskarshamn Storuman Tierp Älvkarleby
Östhammar
Oskarshamn (Laxemar)
Östhammar (Forsmark)
Feasibility studies
Site investigations
Study sites
General siting studies
1990s
Licensing ca
Construction ca
Feasibility studies – describes local pros and cons – opens local discussions

12. From then to now Announcement of site selection Forsmark
June 3rd, 2009
Protests against drilling at a study sites

13. Public consultation and involvement - key to success
Broad national information
Focused dialogue with potential local communities
Strong local involvement of SKB and municipalities
Ear-marked funding for municipality involvement

14. Factors for success
Clear responsibilities for implementation and financing
Scientific/engineering approach
Trustworthy regulator
Strong public involvement
Close cooperation with local municipalities

15. Remaining challenges
Licensing and accepting a First of a Kind facility
Going from theory to practice – Industrialization
Keeping public confidence

16. Thank you for your attention