NEW: 4–6 July 2022

Cologne

Due to the persisting uncertainties caused by the Corona pandemic, DAEF 2022

has to be postponed again to 4-6 July 2022.

If you have already registered for the conference, you will receive a separate mail.

The already submitted contributions remain valid and we very much hope

that all authors are available for the new date.

 

WELCOME!

There is a broad international consensus that high-level radioactive waste arising from electricity production by nuclear fission has to be safely isolated from the biosphere. Disposal in deep geological formations is considered the best approach to protect human beings and the environment from radiological exposures. However, the design of an appropriate site selection process for a repository still represents a challenge and different strategies are pursued in those countries with advanced geological disposal programs.

A site selection process for a repository for high-level radioactive waste and / or spent nuclear fuel has to consider and to reconcile:

• Safety related scientific technical principles and knowledge bases as well as regulatory constrains / guidelines;
• Geoscientific information based both on existing data and on site investigations and its utilization for safety, feasibility and demonstration purposes;
• Detailed knowledge about type and amount of waste to be disposed of (data bases);
• Ideas / concepts how to provide safety by means of an appropriate repository design;
• Social-science based aspects related to good governance, i.e. a “qualitatively good” procedural design aiming at the development of a fair process;
• Land use concepts and regional planning aspects;
• Legal and political boundary conditions.

The reconciliation of these aspects may differ from country to country but experience shows that “safety first” is the overriding principle.

Considering the time scales of many decades required to implement a repository for high-level radioactive waste from initiating the site selection process to the closure and possibly post-closure monitoring, evidently science and technologies related to nuclear waste disposal have to be developed further during the process. Keeping and improving know-how and expertise during decades requires strong efforts to support and organize research in all related scientific disciplines with a strong focus on interdisciplinary aspects as well as permanently educating and training scientific and technical staff.

The third international conference Key Topics on Deep Geological Disposal – Challenges of a Site Selection Process: Society – Procedures – Safety will focus on the following topics:

• Status of high-level waste / spent nuclear fuel repository siting in Germany: Views of different actors
• Status of high-level waste / spent nuclear fuel disposal programmes in various countries: Technical and societal aspects
• High-level waste / spent nuclear fuel disposal: Research and development in natural sciences and engineering
• High-level waste / spent nuclear fuel management strategies and governance: Research in humanities and social sciences
• Competence building and knowledge transfer.

The conference will provide an adequate forum for fruitful scientific exchange and a valuable instrument for further improving multilateral co-operation for mutual benefit. The program will consist of invited and contributed presentations (oral and posters); the conference language will be English.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our DAEF 2022 Conference in Cologne!

Cordially,

The organizers

The scientific conceptualization and implementation lie in the hands of the German association for repository research (DAEF). DAEF represents leading research organizations active in radioactive waste disposal research. The aim of this association is to contribute to the safe disposal of radioactive waste, to support respective research and education, and to offer respective fact based information.

 

Conference organizer KIT

Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information.

Download Book of Abstracts