Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities: The Work Ahead and How to Succeed

Transcription

1 Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities: The Work Ahead and How to Succeed William D. Magwood, IV Director General Nuclear Energy Agency International Workshop on Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants 30 June 2017, Tokyo Japan 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

2 The NEA: Advanced Nations Seeking Excellence in Nuclear Safety, Technology, and Policy 31 member countries + key partners (e.g., China) 7 standing committees and 75 working parties and expert groups The NEA Data Bank providing nuclear data, code, and verification services 21 international joint projects (e.g., the Halden Reactor Project in Norway) 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2

3 NEA Standing Committees NSC Nuclear Science Committee The NEA's committees bring together top governmental officials and technical specialists from NEA member countries and strategic partners to solve difficult problems, establish best practices and to promote international collaboration Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 3

4 Major NEA Separately Funded Activities 21 Major Joint Projects (Involving countries from within and beyond NEA membership) Nuclear safety research and experimental data (e.g., thermal hydraulics, fuel behaviour, severe accidents). Nuclear safety databases (e.g., fire, commoncause failures). Nuclear science (e.g., thermodynamics of advanced fuels). Radioactive waste management (e.g., thermochemical database). Radiological protection (e.g., occupational exposure). Halden Reactor Project (fuels and materials, human factors research, etc.) NEA Serviced Organisations Generation IV International Forum (GIF) with the goal to improve sustainability (including effective fuel utilisation and minimisation of waste), economics, safety and reliability, proliferation resistance and physical protection. Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP) initiative by national safety authorities to leverage their resources and knowledge for new reactor design reviews. International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) forum for international discussion on wide array of nuclear topics involving both developed and emerging economies Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 4

5 Decommissioning Cooperation at the NEA Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) Working Party on Decommissioning and Dismantling (WPDD) Co-operative Programme for the Exchange of Scientific and Technical Information on Nuclear Installation Decommissioning Projects Decommissioning Costs Radiological Characterisation Preparing for Decommissioning Optimising Waste Management Nuclear Site Restoration Management Board Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Task Group on Recycling and Reuse of Materials Project Coordinator Government Experts and Leaders Industry Input 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 5

6 Considering A New NEA Standing Committee: Decommissioning and Legacy Management The NEA is reviewing whether to establish a proposed Committee on Decommissioning and Legacy Management to: Bring together leading officials and experts to coordinate national policies, share experiences and knowledge, establish best practices, and improve understanding of decommissioning costs Conduct joint activities and identify research needs Cover both commercial nuclear power plant decommissioning and management of radiological legacies from past research or other governmental activities A Decision by the NEA Steering Committee is possible in October Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 6

7 Decommissioning: Areas of NEA Work Lifecycle of a Nuclear Facility Siting/Design/ Construction Startup/Operation/ Shutdown Decommissioning Decommissioning & Dismantling Site Clean Up / Remediation Planning Execution of Dismantling Management of Materials Disposal of Radioactive Waste Areas of Focus for the NEA Decommissioning Programme 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 7

8 Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Reactors and Expected Shutdowns In operation Shutdown/Under Decommissioning Fully Decommissioned Nuclear Power Reactors Worldwide Country Permanent Shut Down* Decommissioning Completed NPR In Operation Add l Shut Down before 2030** U.S.A Canada Korea Japan * Based on PRIS database ** General assumption shutdown after 40 years operational time (except US, where most reactors will operate at least 60 years) 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

9 Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Reactors and Expected Shutdowns in Europe Country Permanent Shut Down* Decommissioning completed NPR In Operation* Add l Shut Down before 2030** UK France Finland Germany Hungary Russia Belgium Sweden Switzerland Spain * Based on PRIS database ** General assumption shutdown after 40 years operational time (except France, where many reactors will enter extended operation) Italy Netherlands Slovakia Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

10 Global Decommissioning Experience Globally, about 15 reactors have been fully decommissioned. More than 50 are currently being dismantled, roughly another 50 are in safe enclosure mode, and 3 have been entombed. The total dismantling of prototype facilities (e.g., JPDR in Japan; WAGR in UK; Gundremmingen in Germany; BR 3 in Belgium) demonstrated that decommissioning could be performed safely and cost effectively. These projects also resulted in the further development and optimization of decommissioning techniques, i.e. some novel first use techniques have now become routine as applied in several US projects including Big Rock Point, Maine Yankee, Trojan, Yankee Rowe and others. Large nuclear fuel cycle facilities have also been dismantled (e.g. the Eurochemic reprocessing plant in Belgium) Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 10

11 Decommissioning: The Big Picture Decommissioning does not present major technical challenges. There is a sound technical base for executing decommissioning work. However, experience with completed decommissioning projects is limited. There is, therefore, uncertainty regarding the costs of decommissioning specific facilities. Evolving circumstances and requirements in several countries further complicate the development of good estimates: Some plants are being shutdown earlier than expected Prompt decommissioning is becoming more common Some countries are requiring greenfield outcomes 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 11

12 Funding for Decommissioning All countries much assure the adequacy of financing arrangements for future decommissioning projects Decommissioning funding mechanisms differ from country to country. There is no single best system Polluter Pays principle remains generally valid All NEA countries should have a program that is both reasonable and workable There are considerable uncertainties when planning for decommissioning: Changing financial markets Evolving governmental policies Changing conditions and requirements 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 12

13 6000 Estimated Regional Decommissioning Costs Stacked yearly costs [million US$] Asia / Pacific Eurasia / Middle East North America Assumptions (1) Costs from NEA studies (2003) (2) Duration of 25 years from shutdown to release (3) Linear distribution of costs over time (4) Unless other information available, assumes shutdown after 40 years Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

14 Evolution of Decommissioning Cost Estimates Example: Lubmin and Rheinsberg NPPs, Germany Date Cost Estimation Boundary Conditions 1994 ~ 3.2 billion Euros Decommissioning strategy: immediate dismantling End state green field expected in > 4 billion Euros ~2.5 billion Euros already spent until ~ 4.2 billion Euros ~3.1 billion Euros already spent until ~ 6.5 billion Euros ~ 3.2 billion Euros already spent Change of decommissioning strategy to save costs: immediate dismantling & safe enclosure (50 years) End state green field expected ~2065 Outlook: Main decommissioning activities to be completed in 2015 (immediate dismantling) End state green field expected ~2065 Return to decommissioning strategy immediate dismantling End state green field expected in 2028 Decommissioning scope: Lubmin NPP: 5 PWR, VVER 440s (440 MWe each), operation: Rheinsberg NPP: 1 PWR, VVER 210 (70 MWe), operation: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

15 Estimating Decommissioning Costs The 2012 International Structure for Decommissioning Costing (ISDC), a joint effort of the NEA, IAEA and EC): Provides an improved base for preparing comprehensive and comparable decommissioning cost estimates internationally Still, we require expanded and improved cost benchmarking data and must develop broader acceptance of global benchmarking as a tool in developing reliable estimates. The NEA will soon update this work 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 15

16 Decommissioning can be optimized by: Reducing occupational exposure Developing more cost effective methodologies Identifying lessons learnt for new build NEA s report R&D and Innovation Needs for Decommissioning highlights opportunities: Innovation Can Lead to Improvements Characterization and survey prior to dismantling Segmentation and dismantling Decontamination and remediation Materials and waste management Site characterization and environmental monitoring Scanning and pattern recognition technologies Robotic and automation system applications 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 16

17 The Role of Remote/Robotic Systems Robotic/remote systems can support: Planned decommissioning of facilities: predictable area of deployment Decommissioning of post-accident facilities: unknown conditions The benefits of Remote/Robotic Systems: Reduces total staff required for operations Enhances protection of health and safety Can operate in high-hazard areas (high dose, rates, underwater, smoke, gases, high temps, etc.) Allows operations in difficult-to-access areas Supporting/augmenting tasks where hands-on work is required Automates routine processes (e.g. for decontamination, waste packaging) Provides advanced training opportunity for workers that can be applied in other, post-project employment 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 17

18 Key Elements for Successful Decommissioning: Lessons Learned Over the Decades Early development of a decommissioning plan is essential must be acceptable to regulatory authorities and realistic in terms of activities, time frames, and cost. Maximize use of existing knowledge and techniques, identifying the most cost effective approach while understanding that each project presents a unique situation. Assure clarity of regulations and planning to assure safety of the public, workforce, and environment during transition from operational phase to decommissioning Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 18

19 Key Elements for Successful Decommissioning: Lessons Learned Over the Decades Assure safety via proper analysis of surveillance results, maintain up to date safety documentation that reflects project status. Optimize use of existing plant operations staff to achieve safe and efficient decommissioning. Non technical factors (e.g. organization and management) are often more crucial to the success than technological factors. Developing a clear understanding of the costs of the project and their uncertainties is essential standardized decommissioning cost models (ISDC) can help Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 19

20 Key Elements for Successful Decommissioning: Lessons Learned Over the Decades Public engagement is essential lack of societal and stakeholder support may lead to project delays. International cooperation, independent peer reviews, continual exchange and dissemination of innovative decommissioning technology worldwide can improve project effectiveness and improve safety Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 20

21 Final Considerations and Reflections The basic technologies and methodologies for decommissioning are well understood, but: There are opportunities for optimization The decommissioning project experience base is small and diverse and impacts the ability to develop quality cost estimates The human resource considerations are very important: Long term sustainability of qualified human resources needed over the life of the project Building translatable and tranferable skills for workers can help address job loss at the end of a project 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 21

22 Final Considerations and Reflections The closure and decommissioning of a nuclear facility can have significant impacts on local communities: Understanding stakeholders expectations of final decommissioning outcomes is an aspect of project planning and execution. Some countries are considering nuclear decommissioning as a redevelopment and reuse project, rather than aiming at greenfield restoration. Evolving requirements in some countries will increase costs and make current estimates appears unreliable: This presents a major challenge to planning and for public communications 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 22

23 Thank you for your attention 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 23