The symposium will last for three days and start with an introductory session covering an opening speech by a representative from EDF followed by presentations by invited speakers from international organisations.
Seven sessions in total are scheduled with the following topics:
1. Preparation for decommissioning – strategic issues
Preparation for decommissioning requires several strategic decisions with significant impact on the activities. This session will cover a wide span of strategic issues such as:
- Immediate vs. deferred dismantling
- Timing and strategic approach for the decommissioning preparations
- Prioritised strategic decisions in case of a non-scheduled final shutdown
2. Early characterisation challenges
There are significant advantages with an early characterisation of a facility to be decommissioned but an early characterisation is faced with constraints, limitations and challenges. The session is open for all approaches and strategies for early characterisation issues, including facility characterisation using theoretical models.
3. Workforce transition, flexibility and knowledge management
The transition from normal operation to facility dismantling involves several important evaluations, decisions and actions. This session covers project organisation issues like:
- Dismantling by former operators or by specialised teams
- Concepts for how the transition could be structured to secure that the required knowledge is kept within the organisation
- Ways to achieve the required workforce flexibility for a cost efficient decommissioning project
4. Key aspects for efficient and cost effective waste management
This session will cover activities in the preparation phase that supports an efficient and cost effective waste management and how different decisions affect the preparatory activities. Example of such decisions:
- Clearance or disposal as VLLW and its implication on the preparation for decommissioning activities
- Optimisation of waste treatment and management of large masses and volumes (balancing On-Site and Off-Site waste treatment, capabilities in local waste treatment center, etc.)
- Radiation protection and sustainability considerations in the planning of the decommissioning
5. Regulatory framework and industrial needs
The regulatory framework is one of the most important factors in a decommissioning project. It is vital that the industrial experience and needs are communicated and considered in development of the regulatory frameworks and in the application of regulatory processes. The overall objective for all parties is to perform the decommissioning as efficiently as possible while maintaining the high level of safety. Typical topics to be covered within this session:
- Regulator and licensee views on how the decommissioning process can become more efficient
- Which activities should be possible to perform after final shutdown and before the decommissioning license is granted
6. Good examples and lessons learned in preparation for decommissioning
This session will contain feedback from decommissioning preparation activities including experiences of transition between the operating phase and the start of dismantling.
7. Best practices in characterisation of material and waste
There are a lot of good examples in radiological characterisation of material and waste. In this session leading experts will share their experiences in characterisation including the benefits the conducted characterisation activities have resulted in.
Sessions 2 and 3, 4 and 5 as well as 6 and 7 will be parallel.
Each session will contain three to five presentations and group discussions. An overview and conclusion of the different sessions including outcome of the group discussions will be presented in the Summing up session the third day.
Posters for the poster session are welcome on all the session topics of the symposium.
After the formal closing of the symposium, half a day is dedicated for guided tour. You can choose the EDF storage ICEDA for long lived intermediate level waste located at Bugey site, under construction.