INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION (IFNEC) Status of Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Group Activities on Multinational Repository Concept Michelle Scott Senior Advisor U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy 4th Asia Nuclear Business Platform Hong Kong, China May 18-19, 2016
IFNEC Background and Structure Why Focus on the Multinational Repository Concept The Work of the Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Group Current Efforts and Next Steps.
IFNEC Members Participant Countries Observer Organizations Observer Countries 1. Argentina 18. Korea, Republic of 1. International Atomic 1. Algeria 17. Nigeria 2. Armenia 19. Kuwait Energy Agency (IAEA) 2. Bangladesh 18. Philippines 3. Australia 20. Lithuania 2. Generation IV 3. Belgium 19. Qatar 4. Bahrain 21. Morocco International Forum (GIF) 4. Brazil 20. Saudi Arabia 5. Bulgaria 22. Netherlands 3. Euratom 5. Chile 21. Singapore 6. Canada 23. Niger 4. Organisation for 6. Czech Republic 22. Slovakia 7. China 24. Oman Economic Co-operation 7. Egypt 23. South Africa 8. Estonia 25. Poland and Development / 8. Finland 24. Spain 9. France 26. Romania Nuclear Energy Agency 9. Georgia 25. Sweden 10. Germany 27. Russia (OECD/NEA) 10. Greece 26. Switzerland 11. Ghana 28. Senegal 11. Indonesia 27. Tanzania 12. Hungary 29. Sierra Leone 12. Latvia 28. Tunisia 13. Italy 30. Slovenia 13. Malaysia 29. Turkey 14. Japan 31. Ukraine 14. Mexico 30. Uganda 15. Jordan 32. U.A.E. 15. Moldova 31. Vietnam WWW.IFNEC.ORG 16. Kazakhstan 33. U.K. 16. Mongolia 17. Kenya 34. U.S.
Background on IFNEC Statement of Mission The International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation provides a forum for cooperation among participating states to explore mutually beneficial approaches to ensure the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes proceeds in a manner that is efficient and meets the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation. Participating states would not give up any rights and voluntarily engage to share the effort and gain the benefits of economical, peaceful nuclear energy. Adopted June 16, 2010 in Accra, Ghana IFNEC Snapshot Organization Directed by the Executive Committee, as advised by the Steering Group Supported by the IFNEC Secretariat, which reports to the Steering Group Chair Two standing Working Groups
IFNEC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Ministerial Level Officials or Designees EC Chair Rotates Annually STEERING GROUP SECRETARIAT (U.S.) Chair (China) Vice-Chair (France) Vice-Chair (Japan) Vice-Chair (U.S.) INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP (IDWG) RELIABLE NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES WORKING GROUP (RNFSWG) (U.K.) Co-Chair (U.S.) Co-Chair (UAE) Co-Chair (Slovenia) Co-Chair (U.S.) Co-Chair 5
Why Focus on the Multinational Repository Concept A growing interest among countries Many of these countries could find a shared interest in examining the multinational repository concept based on economic considerations Current options for these countries Having extended in-country storage of the SNF/HLW they generate, Developing a domestic geologic repository, recognizing that some of them will face serious challenges and limitations Exploring other options such as spent fuel takeaway and participating in a multinational repository opportunity
USA Canada Japan Russia South Korea France Ukraine Germany Sweden India Spain Argentina China Taiwan Belgium Lithuania Un. Kingdom Romania Finland Czech Repub. Bulgaria Switzerland Slovakia Hungary South Africa Brazil Mexico Slovenia Pakistan Armenia Kazakhstan Italy Netherlands Spent Fuel in Storage (MTU) Spent Fuel Stored by Country 70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 There are over 250,000 MTU of used fuel in storage worldwide This used fuel is currently stored temporarily in 33 countries awaiting reprocessing or disposal. 19 countries currently store less than 3,000 MTU
Countries with Small Amounts of Used Fuel Existing and Emerging Nuclear Power Countries 60 50 40 30 Currently 19 countries are storing small amounts of used fuel. Over 40 countries are embarking, or considering to embark upon nuclear power programs. With time, perhaps as many as 60 countries will be storing small amounts of used fuel. 20 10 0 Time Less than 3000 MTU used fuel in storage + Power reactors under construction Contracts signed, legal & regulatory infrastructure well-developed + Committed plans, legal & regulatory infrastructure developing Welldeveloped + Developing plans but + plans commitment + pending Discussion as serious policy option
IFNEC s Exploration of Multinational Approaches to Disposal, 2009-2012 The term multinational repository approach refers to situations where countries would enter into arrangements to dispose their SNF/HLW in another country. Within FNEC this was previously referred to as comprehensive fuel services (CFS) The Multinational repository concept and Comprehensive Fuel Services (CFS) has been addressed by the IFNEC Executive Committee since 2009. Any offering for the disposal of SNF/HLW must be based on agreements between the customer country and the service provider country that include the long-term provisions necessary to protect the public and the environment. A multinational disposal approach that focuses on regional cooperation is one of the most promising opportunities for developing disposal options.
IFNEC s Exploration of Multinational Approaches to Disposal, 2013-2014 The 2013 Executive Committee directed the RNFSWG to hold an industry and emerging country workshop. Conclusion of the May 2014 RNFSWG Workshop on Developing Options and Pathways for Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High- Level Waste in Bucharest, Romania Industry is able to provide any fuel services, except disposal capability A multinational repository will increasingly be an attractive option. National programs are a high priority and it is important that exploring the multinational repository concept not impact them negatively. Further development of the multinational repository concept should not wait for the completion of national programs, but it is clear that progress will depend on the success of national programs.
Current Work on the Multinational Repository Concept In response to the report of the Romania Workshop, the Executive Committee meeting in Seoul, recognized the need to further investigate in depth the multinational repository concept. An initial draft of the Practical Consideration to Begin Resolving the final Spent Fuel disposal Pathway for Countries with Small Nuclear Programs, paper was prepared under the direction of the Working Group Co-Chairs. This initial draft was provided to the members of the Working Group for review and comment, and discussion during the recent Working Group meeting held in Paris, France.
Next Steps During the recent RNFSWG meeting in Paris, France, cochairs received comments from member countries on the draft paper. Co-chairs are tasked to refine paper to address the comments received, gain final agreement amongst member countries at the next RNSFWG meeting in Argentina in October. During the Executive Committee meeting which will be during the same time the Working Group will present the final paper to the Executive Committee for approval and propose followon activities.