NUCLEAR POWER PLANT LIFE MANAGEMENT AND DECOMMISSIONING

1
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT LIFE MANAGEMENT AND
DECOMMISSIONING

• Peter Wilmer
• Head
• Nuclear Development Division
• OECD/NEA

2
NUCLEAR SHAREIN ELECTRICITY GENERATIONOF OECD
REGIONS IN 2001
Source OECD/NEA Statistics
2
3
AGE OF OECD NUCLEAR UNITS
From start of commercial operation to 31
December 2001
3
4
NUCLEAR UNITS SHUT DOWN IN OECD
Source IAEA/PRIS - 2002
4
5
GENERATION COST STRUCTURE
5
6
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONFROM ELECTRICITY
PRODUCTION CHAINS
6
7
WORLD CO2 EMISSIONSFROM FOSSIL FUEL COMBUSTION
7
8
NATURAL GAS IMPORTSIN OECD EUROPEG m3 (Share of
total consumption )
(63)
(36)
8
9
PLANT LIFE MANAGEMENT (PLIM)

• Optimise the operation, maintenance and service
  life of system, structure and components
• Maintain an acceptable level of performance and
  safety
• Maximise return on investment over the service
  life of the plant

9
10
PLIM ISSUES

• Technology
• Safety, radiation protection, environment
• Economics and business
• Public acceptance

10
11
DECOMMISSIONING

• Unique objective but various approaches
• Technologies exist and have been tested
• Regulatory frameworks andfunding schemes are in
  place

11
12
WASTE MANAGEMENT ISSUES

• Large volumes of low level waste
• Importance of clearance levels for recycle and
  re-use
• Management of mixed waste

12
13
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

• Work jointly to foster mutual trust and learning
  from each other
• Recognise local interests and needs
• Assign clearly roles and responsibility sharing
• Recognition of the rationale for a scientific
  approach

13
14
CONCLUDING REMARKS

• PLIM is a mature often cost-effective practice
• Decommissioning technology and regulatory
  framework are adequate
• Social issues are important especially at the
  local level
• Success of PLIM and decommissioning is key to the
  future of nuclear energy

14