The Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-08-27, Page 11m
m
O
•4O
C
t!
0
C
m
m
v
0 ipo m
3 -NF
5 01 rt
m
co z
y w 93 3
N fD V O
N
CD SI - d
+ C
(XD o N - O
N
C 1
W O • Q O
Iy N /CR.
Q N et
)
Q o
0) O Q
2)0 w rn
CD 0
n O a
N N. N
l�l1 V N K
rDQ
CD o
fD o
r+ 0
n
a
n1
n N
Wednesday, August 27, 2014 • Lucknow Sentinel 11
))nwmo
NUCLEAR WASTE
nwmo MANAGEMENT
ORGANIZATION
SOCIETE DE GESTION
DES DECHETS
NUCLEAIRES
International Co -Operation and Research
The NWMO has co-operation agreements with its counterparts in Sweden, Finland, France, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and as of
May 2014, South Korea. Partnering with other radioactive waste management organizations allows the NWMO to foster international
co-operation on research, development and demonstration of technology, while also learning from other countries' experiences and
keeping abreast of developments in repository design. By freely sharing information, we can be sure that the Canadian approach to the
safe long-term management of our used nuclear fuel is based on the best available international technology.
Ultimately, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission will have to approve the safety case and all plans for the construction and
operation of a Canadian used nuclear fuel repository, ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met or exceeded.
Q Canada's plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel includes the construction of a deep geological
repository where used nuclear fuel can be safely and securely contained and isolated in a multi -barrier system.
Are other countries doing this?
A. Yes. Most countries that have used nuclear fuel are developing repositories of their own. Repositories are internationally recognized
as the safest way to contain and isolate radioactive waste over the long term. When the NWMO undertook its discussions with
18,000 citizens (including 2,500 Aboriginal people) on the safest way to store used nuclear fuel, Canadians said that a deep
geological repository in combination with a phased and adaptive management system, which ensures continuous learning and
engages citizens in decision-making, best meets the values and objectives they believe are important for the long-term management
of used nuclear fuel.
Q What are some examples of international co-operation?
A.
The NWMO works jointly with five different international underground research laboratories: the Mont Terri Underground Research
Laboratory and the Grimsel Test Site, both in Switzerland; the Aspo Hard Rock Laboratory in Sweden; the ONKALO Underground
Characterization and Research Program in Finland; and the Whiteshell Underground Demonstration Laboratory in Manitoba. These
underground laboratories provide an environment to work collaboratively with international partners to test and demonstrate
components of a deep geological repository.
Another example is the Greenland Analogue Project, conducted in partnership with the NWMO's sister organizations in Sweden
and Finland. This project looks at how glaciers affect groundwater flow and water chemistry around a repository.
The NWMO also partners with researchers in more than a dozen Canadian universities and three universities outside Canada. It is
also an active participant in projects sponsored by organizations like the Nuclear Energy Agency, and has collaborated with experts
from the United States Geological Survey, the Geological Survey of Finland, and swisstopo, Switzerland's geoinformation centre.
Furthermore, the NWMO relies on regular peer reviews of its work by international experts to be sure we are using the best
available technology and applying it appropriately to Canada's repository.
Q Are there areas of co-operation where Canada is taking the lead?
A.
Canada was one of the first nations to work on the development of approaches for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel.
The Seal Development Program underway at the Whiteshell Laboratories during their decommissioning is an excellent example of
international co-operation among Canada, France, Finland and Sweden on a project that has helped to define the technology for
sealing of repositories after completion.
Copper corrosion experimentation at Western University and the University of Toronto forms the foundation of international
understanding in this area. Every nation that is involved in the development of copper containers co-operates in research programs
at these two universities.
Chris Hatton is the NWMO Director of Repository Design and
Development. He oversees the design and development of the
engineered barrier systems that will form the primary boundary
between the used nuclear fuel and the geosphere. A licensed
professional engineer, Mr. Hatton has over 40 years of experience
in designing nuclear and robotic systems.
For more information, please visit our website at
www.nwmo. ca/internationalcooperationandresearch.
"Ask the NWMO" is an advertising
feature published regularly in this and
other community newspapers to respond
to readers' questions about Canada's plan
for managing used nuclear fuel over
the long term and its implementation.
'The Nuclear Waste Management
Organization welcomes your questions.
Please forward your questions to
askthenwmo@nwmo. ca.
www.nwmo.ca