RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

environment. The barriers can also be given different dimensions, and deposition depth and
layout can vary. We wish to preserve freedom of choice for as long as possible, since this provides
greater flexibility and makes it possible to make use of the latest technical and scientific
advances.
In the next few years, horizontal deposition of the copper canisters will be studied as an alternative
to vertical deposition, see section 11.4. The final choice of deposition method will be based
on an evaluation of safety, technology, costs and environmental aspects.
3.1.2 Safety assessment and research
The goal of the research on long-term safety which SKB is conducting is to understand the processes
(long-term changes) that occur in a deep repository and how they affect the repository’s
ability to isolate the spent nuclear fuel. The results delivered by the research are then used in
the safety assessments conducted at regular intervals by SKB. At present work is proceeding on
SR-Can, the safety assessment that will be submitted as supporting material for the application
for a permit to build the encapsulation plant. After that, another safety assessment, SR-Site, will
be appended to the application for a permit to build the deep repository.
A new aspect of SKB’s research programme compared with previous years is that we have
started a programme for social science research. This is in response to the review of RD&D
2001, where a number of municipalities, universities and interest organizations wanted the
RD&D-programme’s technical and scientific focus to be broadened to include a social sciences
aspect with research on e.g. attitudes, decision making in complex societal issues, and the longterm
evolution of society. There are four general research areas of relevance to the waste issue
which SKB intends to support:
• Socioeconomic effects.
• Decision processes.
• Public opinion and attitudes – psychosocial effects.
• Global changes.
The emphasis should be on applied research. The results must be able to be put to practical use,
but there should also be an interface with basic research. Furthermore, SKB’s research areas,
site-specific studies and investigations should have clear links with each other and support each
other.
3.2 RD&D-Programme 2004 – LILW
The facilities included in the LILW programme are the Swedish nuclear power plants and SKB’s
facilities. In addition, SKB may manage and dispose of radioactive waste from Studsvik, the
fuel factory in Västerås, Ranstad and Ågesta. This lies beyond SKB’s undertaking for its owners
and therefore requires that special agreements be signed.
3.2.1 Decommissioning
In Sweden, decommissioning of the nuclear power plants will take place relatively soon after
the spent fuel has been removed from the plant. The greatest quantity of waste obtained during
decommissioning is conventional building material, which is not radioactive at all. Of the
radioactive material, a large portion is very low-level. Following decontamination or melting,
a large portion of this waste can be reused. How large a portion depends partly on how reliable
the measurement methods that are used are, and partly on what rules are applied for free release.
Today there are no general rules; instead, the regulatory authorities decide this from case to
case.
36 RD&D-Programme 2004