Information Sheet. A. Background. IAEA Headquarters Vienna, Austria. 3 7 September Ref. No: EVT

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1 Technical Meeting on the Compendium of Results of Research, Development and Demonstration Activities Carried out at Underground Research Facilities for Geological Disposal IAEA Headquarters Vienna, Austria 3 7 September 2018 Ref. No: EVT Information Sheet A. Background Geological disposal has been widely recognized as a permanent management solution for high-level waste (HLW) and spent nuclear fuel (SNF) if declared as waste, because of its distinctive feature being the ability to provide long term post closure safety, through passive means such as containment and isolation. While no geological disposal facilities for HLW and SNF are as yet in operation in the world, a few geological disposal facilities for low- and intermediate-level waste are in operation, or under closure. Furthermore, some Member States of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Page 1

2 have made good progress in the development of a geological disposal programme. For instance, the Finnish Government granted a licence for construction of a geological disposal facility and encapsulation plant for SNF in November 2015; the Swedish regulatory authority is currently finalizing the review of a licence application and has indicated confidence in the potential of geological disposal to provide long term safety; and the French radioactive waste management agency is expected to submit a licence application for a geological disposal facility for HLW later in Many other Member States have also developed an extensive scientific and technical basis to support their geological disposal programmes. Underground research facilities (URFs) have played an important role in developing and implementing geological disposal programmes for HLW and SNF. Since the 1960s, research, development and demonstration (RD&D) activities conducted at such URFs have been providing the scientific and technical basis for the safe geological disposal of HLW and SNF. The URFs were also found to offer substantial benefits in communicating the reality and viability of operations in a geological formation, and as such to be a useful tool supporting public acceptance of HLW and SNF disposal. Previous IAEA publications have addressed the activities of the URFs and have provided information on how to utilize the results obtained from investigations carried out at URFs for the development of a geological disposal facility. However, the most recent report, The use of scientific and technical results from underground research laboratory investigations for the geological disposal of radioactive waste (IAEA-TECDOC-1243), dates back to 2001, and since then there has been significant and notable progress in the activities related to, and results of, RD&D from many Member States striving to implement a geological disposal facility. In this context, a draft version of a compendium of the results of RD&D activities carried out at URFs worldwide has been developed by the IAEA in support of the work of the members of the Underground Research Facilities Network for Geological Disposal (URF Network). This Technical Meeting will provide a valuable opportunity to the meeting participants to revisit and update the draft version of the compendium in detail. B. Purpose The purpose of the meeting is to revisit and update in detail the draft version of the above-mentioned compendium. The meeting aims in particular to: Collect practical feedback on the draft version of the compendium from the representatives of Member States; Gather additional information on in-situ tests and experiments carried out at URFs, and update the URF Information Sheets for closed and existing URFs, including historic RD&D activities, with specific objectives and key findings; and Exchange national experiences, practices and knowledge related to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of URFs, as well as to RD&D programmes at URFs. Page 2

3 C. Expected Output The expected output would be documented practical feedback from the participants on the draft version of the compendium. In addition, the URF Information Sheets providing generic information on closed and existing URFs, as well as on in-situ tests and experiments carried out at the URFs, would be expected to be updated. D. Visas Participants who need a visa for entering Austria should submit the necessary application to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of Austria as early as possible. E. Venue The meeting will start on Monday, 3 September 2017, in the Vienna International Centre, Austria. For local details, please contact the IAEA meeting organizers (see Section G below). F. Working Language The working language of the meeting will be English with no interpretation provided. All communications, abstracts and papers must be submitted in this language. G. Organization Official correspondence with regard to the technical aspects of the meeting should be addressed to the Scientific Secretary: Mr Haeryong Jung Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology Department of Nuclear Energy Vienna International Centre PO Box VIENNA AUSTRIA Tel.: Fax: H.Jung@iaea.org Page 3

4 Official correspondence with regard to administrative issues should be addressed to the Administrative Secretary: Mr Shelby Thomas Elamkunnam Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology Department of Nuclear Energy Vienna International Centre PO Box VIENNA AUSTRIA Tel.: Fax: S.T.Elamkunnam@iaea.org Page 4

5 International Atomic Energy Agency Form A EVT Participation Form Technical Meeting on the Compendium of Results of Research, Development and Demonstration Activities Carried out at Underground Research Facilities for Geological Disposal IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria 3 7 September 2018 To be completed by the participant and sent to the competent official authority (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA, or National Atomic Energy Authority) of his/her country for subsequent transmission to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, 1400 Vienna, Austria, either electronically by to: Official.Mail@iaea.org or by fax to: (no hard copies needed). Kindly send also a copy to the Scientific Secretary of the event, Mr Haeryong Jung (H.Jung@iaea.org), as well as to the Administrative Secretary for the event, Mr Shelby Thomas Elamkunnam (S.T.Elamkunnam@iaea.org). Participants who are members of an invited organization can submit this form to their organization for subsequent transmission to the IAEA. Deadline for receipt by IAEA through official channels: 20 July 2018 Family name: (e.g. Smith) First name(s): (e.g. John) Mr/Ms Institution: Full address: For urgent communications please indicate: Tel.: Fax: Nationality: Designating Government or organization: Mailing address (if different from address indicated above): Do you intend to submit a paper? Yes No Would you prefer to present your paper as a poster? Yes No Title:

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7 International Atomic Energy Agency Form C EVT Grant Application Form Technical Meeting on the Compendium of Results of Research, Development and Demonstration Activities Carried out at Underground Research Facilities for Geological Disposal IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria 3 7 September 2018 To be completed by the participant and sent to the competent official authority (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA, or National Atomic Energy Authority) of his/her country for subsequent transmission to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, 1400 Vienna, Austria, either electronically by to: Official.Mail@iaea.org or by fax to: (no hard copies needed). Kindly send also a copy to the Scientific Secretary of the event, Mr Haeryong Jung (H.Jung@iaea.org), as well as to the Administrative Secretary for the event, Mr Shelby Thomas Elamkunnam (S.T.Elamkunnam@iaea.org). Deadline for receipt by IAEA through official channels: 20 July 2018 Family name: (e.g. Smith) First name(s): (e.g. John) Mr/Ms: Mailing address: Date of birth (yy/mm/dd): 1. Education (post-secondary): Name and place of institution Tel.: Fax: Nationality: Field of study Diploma or Degree Years attended from to 2. Recent employment record (starting with your present post): Name and place of employer/ organization Title of your position Type of work Years worked from to 3. Description of work performed over the last three years: 4. Institute s/member State s programme in field of event: Date: Date: Signature of applicant: Name, signature and stamp of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA or National Atomic Energy Authority