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Techno-economic Comparison of Ultimate Disposal Facilities for CO2 and Nuclear Waste
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
I12004CRP
1544Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
5 September 2012Description
Participants will explore a range of issues in the geological disposal of CO2 and nuclear waste (NW) relevant for their country in a comparative framework. They will draw on results of earlier research in the relevant fields and on the background material arranged by the IAEA in preparation for this CRP. The investigations will focus on the feasibility, options and capacities for disposing CO2 and NW with a view to geological conditions, potential environmental impacts and socioeconomic circumstances (costs and benefits, legal issues, public acceptance, etc.) prevailing in the participating countries or selected regions thereof.
Objectives
The major objective of the CRP was to review the state-of-the-art aspects of the geological disposal of carbon dioxide (CO2) and radioactive waste (radioactive waste) focusing on features and issues of particular relevance to the participating Member States; to prepare an in-depth comparative assessment of the similarities and differences of the geological disposal of CO2 and radioactive waste relevant for the country or selected regions; to identify the already resolved issues and the remaining key challenges; and to evaluate the policy implications emerging from the comparative study.
Specific objectives
As part of the Agency’s ongoing work on ‘Sustainable Energy Development’, this CRP generated state-of-the-art information about a range of issues in the geological disposal of CO2 and nuclear waste (NW) relevant for the participating countries in a comparative framework.
Impact
Within this CRP the comparative assessment for each disposal option required the involvement and interaction between scientists, engineers, economists, safety analysts, and experts in politics and public acceptance from the participating countries. In each area of the theme sections of the CRP, i.e. geology, site engineering, environment, risk and safety, monitoring, costs, public acceptance, policy, institutions and regulations, very good contacts on the working level have been established. They allow participants to continue to work together and share knowledge and experience in their respective area on a bilateral or multilateral level also after the formal closing of the CRP.
The different CO2 storage and radioactive waste disposal options are in general considered by two different communities, which are not (yet) very well linked for sharing information. The results of this CRP, as documented in this report, indicate that there are a number of similarities within these two options and that the two communities may learn from each other. But the results also show that from the differences, indicated in this report, useful valuable information may also be derived from both disposal options.
Relevance
The CRP research and findings will assist existing and potential interested stakeholders in identifying state-of-the-art information about a range of issues in the geological disposal of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and radioactive waste (radioactive waste). The investigations on the feasibility, options and capacities for geological disposal of CO2 and radioactive waste, prevailing in the participating countries will assist policymaking, particularly in energy and environmental policy field.