ADVERTORIAL FEATURE | VEOLIA NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS (VNS)
The changing face of nuclear in the UK
Addressing future waste measurement and characterisation challenges
THE NUCLEAR SECTOR IN THE UK is undergoing a transformative phase, facing challenges and opportunities that rival the innovative and exciting times of its inception. Recent developments and initiatives are paving the way for a future that involves decommissioning, waste management, and the construction of new power stations. However, amidst the progress, significant challenges need to be tackled, including well publicised workforce shortages and the need for efficient waste measurement and characterisation.
Decommissioning and waste management: A focus on efficiency One notable recent announcement is the rebranding and launch of Nuclear Restoration Services. This initiative aims to consolidate all the Magnox stations and research sites into a unified entity, streamlining the decommissioning process and highlighting the extensive work that lies ahead over several decades. The focus is not only on Magnox and research stations but also on preparing for the decommissioning of the seven Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR) stations. This shift in pace and approach emphasises the urgency of decommissioning and the immense workload that remains.
Another significant development is the formation of
Nuclear Waste Services, which seeks to integrate all the waste management expertise in the UK. This comprehensive approach ensures effective management, monitoring, and future planning of the country’s waste legacy. By consolidating various aspects of waste management, the industry aims to address both historic and future waste arisings in an integrated manner. Simultaneously, the industry is in the midst of a
renaissance to construct new nuclear power plants including the development of small and advanced modular reactors (SMR/AMR). While the need for energy security is a driving force behind this push, it is important to acknowledge that the industry remains committed to addressing the challenge of cleaning up its legacy waste. This diversification of the nuclear power landscape reflects a commitment to meeting future energy demands while actively exploring innovative and sustainable solutions.
Workforce shortages: Addressing the aging population Despite the promising trajectory of the industry, a critical challenge lies in the shortage of trained personnel to support the various programmes and initiatives. The existing nuclear designers, operators, engineers, and technicians are an ageing population, which has been well documented, but even more skilled staff are going to be needed. Enhancing university programmes and attracting more graduates into nuclear-related fields is needed and clearly possible now that there is a long-term future. In addition to the many good training programmes now available, a focus on transitioning designers and engineers from other sectors, who possess transferable skills and expertise, should be considered.
Right: Ellesmere Port
The overlooked challenge: Waste measurement and characterisation Amidst the workforce shortages and decommissioning efforts, one crucial yet often overlooked challenge is waste measurement and characterisation. While substantial progress has been made in diverting low-level waste from disposal to other streams over the past 15 years, there is still a considerable volume of waste to be processed and/or stored across the UK. Approximately 4 million m3
of waste is
spread across 1,324 different streams, necessitating effective characterisation and management which directly enhances the costs associated with treatment and storage. This characterisation challenge can be divided into four
parts: ● The increase in routine waste and used fuel resulting from new generating stations.
● The rise in waste generated by the growing decommissioning programs.
18 | December 2023 |
www.neimagazine.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53
