Euradwaste '08 - EU Bookshop - Europa

During the 1980’s it was realized that in order to fully understand the environment down to the repository
depth of a deep geological repository it would be necessary to perform all steps from investigations
in boreholes to the excavation of tunnels and deposition galleries and holes. The plans
to start the construction of an underground laboratory, the Äspö Hard Rock laboratory, in an virgin
rock environment thus was started. Experiences and knowledge gained in the Stripa project was
transferred to the planning of the various activities at Äspö as well as the international cooperation
and the network of specialists.
A consequence of amendment to the Finnish Nuclear Energy Act, made in 1994, meant that also
Fortum had to start planning the disposal of their spent fuel in Finland instead of sending it back to
Russia. After negotiations between TVO and Fortum, a joint company, Posiva Oy, was established
to take care of the disposal of spent fuel from the Olkiluoto and Loviisa reactors. In practice Posiva
took over the programme started by TVO but modified the plans for larger amounts of spent fuel.
The time schedule for preparations for geological disposal remained the same as before. The participation
by TVO in the international cooperation at the Äspö laboratory was transferred to Posiva.
4. Benefits from international cooperation
The model for international networking and cooperation has, ever since the Stripa period, been a
key component in the development of the Swedish wastewaste management programme and the
KBS-3 concept. The Stripa project enhanced the level of international cooperation on geological
disposal and in situ research. It served as a signal to many countries to launch their own field work.
The cooperation between SKB, TVO and IVO and later on with Posiva was strengthened by bilateral
information exchange agreements signed in 1987. This information exchange was performed
in regular meetings on various organisational levels and contacts between experts in various areas.
Joint development of a canister concept (”ACP” Canister) was started as a result of this information
exchange and later on cooperation started at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory.
SKB’s progress in encapsulation and repository technology and Posiva’s progress in the siting process
during the 1990’s of course further increased the incentives to enhance the cooperation. It was
also recognized that since SKB’s and Posivas’s objectives and programs for final disposal of spent
nuclear fuel are very similar both companies would gain considerable benefits both in economical
terms, including sharing of resources but also to maintain and enhance both political and public acceptance.
At the end of the 1990’s the cooperation increased to cover in principle all areas of the
implementation of the KBS-3 concept. A Joint Steering Group was created to manage the cooperation
and to develop future joint strategies. A five-year agreement on extensive technical cooperation
between SKB and Posiva was signed in 2001. During this 5-year period the cooperation comprised
in total 80 joint projects corresponding to a total cost of 30 million Euros. The agreement
was renewed in 2006 for another five years.
The participation in activities at SKB’s laboratory facilities; the underground laboratory at Äspö,
the Bentonite laboratory and the Canister laboratory, are strategic components in Posiva’sPosiva’s
spent fuel programme. These facilities give the possibilities to studying generic problems in crystalline
rock, developing methods and techniques and for demonstration activities. These laboratories
attract many organisations and specialists around the world. An extensive international cooperation
programme has been in operation at Äspö since the laboratory was constructed. This participation
by international experts ensures high scientific and technical quality of the research and
development.
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