Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-m42fx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-17T01:20:13.824Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Further Steps Towards Licensing: Underground Characterisation Started for the Spent Fuel Repository in Finland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Juhani Vira*
Affiliation:
Posiva Oy 27160 OLKILUOTO, Finland
Get access

Abstract

Pursuant to the Decision-in-Principle of 2001 the Finnish programme for geologic disposal of spent fuel has now moved to the phase of underground characterisation of the repository site. The main objective of this programme phase is to confirm – or refute – the suitability of the Olkiluoto site by investigations conducted underground at the actual depth of the repository. The construction work of the access tunnel to the rock characterisation facility (ONKALO) started in the late summer of 2004. The site research and investigations work aims at the maturity needed for submission of the application for construction license of the actual repository in 2012. This requires, however, that also the technology has reached the maturity needed. The design and technical plans form the necessary platform for the development of the safety case for spent fuel disposal. A plan, “road map”, has been produced for the portfolio of reports that should demonstrate the safety of disposal as required by the criteria set by the government and further detailed by the safety authority, STUK.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

LIST OF REFERENCES

1. TKS-2003. Nuclear waste management of the Olkiluoto and Loviisa power plants: Programme for research, development and technical design for 2004-2006 (Posiva Oy, Eurajoki, 2003).Google Scholar
2. ONKALO underground rock characterization facility - Main drawings stage. Working Report 2003-26 (Posiva Oy, Eurajoki, 2003).Google Scholar
3. ONKALO underground characterization and research programme (UCRP). POSIVA 2003-03 (Posiva Oy, Eurajoki, 2003).Google Scholar
4. Olkiluoto Site Description 2004. POSIVA 2005-03 (Posiva Oy, Eurajoki, 2003).Google Scholar
5. Tanskanen, J. & Palmu, M. (editors), Facility Description 2003. Working Report 2004-26. (Posiva Oy, Eurajoki, 2004).Google Scholar
6. Vieno, T. & Ikonen, A.T.K., Plan for safety case of spent fuel repository at Olkiluoto. POSIVA 2005-01 (Posiva Oy, Eurajoki, 2005).Google Scholar