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Description
The project will provide an exceptional opportunity to work together to improve expertise in nuclear decommissioning and competencies to reduce risk of negative impact on people and the environment and gain, together with VATESI and the DSA, the best world practices in a safe and efficient decommissioning.
The objective of the project is to improve management, control and prevention of negative impact of radioactive materials stored at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) on the environment and the population. This project will contribute to the safe management of radioactive waste.
Specifically, the project will allow Lithuania to start the initial stages of a Deep Geological project, which is necessary for the long-term storage of radioactive waste and required safety assessments for storage of industrial waste from INPP and assessments for a third waste stream - bituminized waste.
The project will also conduct training and capacity building exercises, including experience sharing between Lithuania and Norway through the partnership with DSA and VATESI.
The project includes:
- Social and economic evaluation and criteria for selection of potential region for Deep Geological Repository
- Geophysical (seismic) survey programme
- Geophysical (seismic) investigations
- Site descriptive model for deep borehole
- Development of concept for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive waste (RW) final disposal in clay
- Establishment of conditional radiological clearance levels for industrial waste storage site
- Review and evaluation of bituminized waste storage facility transformation into a repository concept and safety analysis report review
- Final review report on bituminized waste storage facility transformation into a repository site
- Training of professional employees
- Technical meetings for professional employeesTarget groups of the project: INPP, VATESI, DSA, society.
Summary of project results
The goal of the project was to improve the management, control and prevention of the negative effects of radioactive materials stored at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) on the environment and public health. The project helped ensure the safe management of radioactive waste.
One key outcome of the project was the beginning of Lithuania’s Deep Geological Repository (DGR) project. This is an essential step for the long-term storage of radioactive waste and included safety assessments for storing industrial waste from INPP, as well as assessments for a third type of waste – bituminised waste. The project also provided training and capacity-building opportunities, including sharing knowledge and experiences between Lithuania and Norway, in collaboration with the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.
Project activities:
- A report was created evaluating the social and economic factors and establishing criteria for selecting a potential region for the Deep Geological Repository (DGR).
- A program for geophysical (seismic) surveys was developed.
- A report on the site description for deep boreholes was prepared.
- A program for geophysical research was created.
- A safety justification report was prepared to determine radiological clearance levels for the industrial waste storage site ("Polygon").
- A report was created reviewing and evaluating the transformation of the bituminized waste storage facility into a repository.
For the first time, the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) partnered with the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) and the State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) to implement this project. It was a unique opportunity for collaboration, aimed at improving knowledge and expertise in decommissioning nuclear facilities. This partnership helped gain global best practices to ensure a safe and efficient decommissioning process. Throughout the project, training sessions and capacity-building exercises were held, allowing Lithuania and Norway to share experiences. The skills and network formed during the project will continue to benefit the daily activities of INPP and its partners.
One of the main achievements of the project was improving the management and control of radioactive materials stored at INPP to prevent negative impacts on the environment and public health. This project also contributed to the safe management of radioactive waste. Specifically, it allowed Lithuania to begin the initial stages of a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) project, necessary for the long-term storage of radioactive waste. Additionally, safety assessments were carried out for storing industrial waste from INPP and for a third waste stream—bituminised waste.
From a media communication perspective, the project had a positive impact not only on the direct participants but also on other stakeholders, including the general public, Lithuanian institutions, and municipalities. INPP believes that the general public was one of the biggest beneficiaries. Through articles, news releases, and brochures, the project reached and educated a large number of people—up to a few thousand—helping them better understand the process of radioactive waste management.
Summary of bilateral results
To carry out the project activities, technical assistance from independent experts was enlisted. VATESI, with support from the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) and the IAEA mission, conducted an expert evaluation. They reviewed safety documents related to the reconstruction of the Ignalina NPP’s bituminised radioactive waste storage facility into a repository, and helped identify and justify safe disposal methods for the bituminised waste.During the review with IAEA experts, certain safety standards were highlighted that needed to be addressed in the technical project development. International experts also pointed out key safety aspects that needed to be demonstrated reliably. These issues were analyzed and improved during the site safety assessment for the design phase of the repository. The conceptual and site safety assessment documents were reviewed and coordinated with VATESI.VATESI also played an active role in preparing the report for the "Industrial Waste Storage Site" ("Polygon"), which determined the conditional levels of uncontrolled radioactivity. This report considered possible exposure scenarios and calculated safe levels for releasing industrial waste from radiation control. The research program, methodology for radiation control elimination, and all reports were approved by VATESI.Representatives from DSA, VATESI, and IAE worked closely together, participating in three training sessions and seven technical meetings to improve their qualifications. Following this collaboration, IAE received a proposal from DSA for further joint projects.