Post-Graduate Educational Course on Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources

I have just returned from Greece where I have delivered lectures on Radioactive Waste Management at the the Post-Graduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources (PGEC). The course is organised by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) in their capacity as IAEA Regional Training Centre for Europe.

The PGEC is a 20 week course attracting post-graduate students and young professionals wanting to expand their knowledge in this important area. On this year’s course were 20 students from across Southern Europe, Central Asia, Central America and the Caribbean.

Inaugural meeting of NND expert Advisory Group

This week I spent two very interesting days in the company of Norsk Nucleær Dekommisjonering (Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND)) where I have been invited as one of the experts on their Safety and Waste Management Advisory Group.

NND has submitted proposals to take over licences for the now shut down research reactors (at Halden and Kjeller) operated by IFE, as well as the waste store and repository (KLDRA) at Himdalen. NND is therefore preparing itself to be responsible for decommissioning the existing facilities and management of all of the subsequent radioactive waste, including disposal of ILW and spent fuel from the research reactors.

NND recognise that there will be many challenges as this plan is implemented and I am very happy to be part of this expert group, alongside Catherine Banet, Johan Andersson, Tom Haldal and Simon Carroll, tasked to provide advice and input to NND’s senior management team.

At this the inaugural meeting, the Advisory Group met NND’s leadership team and were briefed on the status of current plans and future activities. It is expected that the group will meet again in approximately six month’s time.

South Holderness takes part and then it doesn't

In January 2024 it is announced that a Working Group has been established to work with Nuclear Waste Services to explore the possibility of the South Holderness area of the East Riding of Yorkshire hosting a Geological Disposal Facility. On 21 February it is announced that the Local Authority (the East Riding of Yorkshire Council) has voted to withdraw from the Working Group and as a consequence the Working Group is to be wound down.

IAEA Technical Meeting on Site Selection for Geological Disposal

In the week beginning 27 November I was at the IAEA offices in Vienna for the Technical Meeting on site selection criteria for geological disposal siting. This meeting involved 36 participants from 28 countries and considered early outputs from the project which is considering international experience and best-practice approaches to geological disposal siting. I have been associated with the project since its inception in March 2023 and am employed as an expert consultant to support the Technical Officer and core-group in the production of a report that will eventually be published by the Agency within the Nuclear Energy series.

Design Principles and Approaches for Radioactive Waste Repositories

Just back from a week in Canada supporting the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in delivering the IAEA designed course on Design Principles and Approaches for Radioactive Waste Repositories. Although initially conceived as a course for waste management organisations, our experience showed that it would work equally well with regulators - especially where they might want hands-on insight to the development of disposal concepts suited to different disposal inventories and geological environments.

Incidentally the course was developed by IAEA and complements this recently published report

Thanks to CNSC for arranging and hosting the event, thanks to IAEA for devising and supporting the course but most of all big thanks to the participants who engaged with the material and exercises with great professionalism and enthusiasm!

NWS has decided not to take Allerdale further in GDF siting process due to limited suitable geology

It was announced today that Nuclear Waste Services will no longer consider the Allerdale community within its search for a suitable site to host a geological disposal facility. Following evaluation of geological information they report that they have identified only a limited volume of suitable rock and that the geology in the area was unlikely to support a post closure safety case. A statement from the Allerdale Community Partnership is available here.

NWS continues to work with three remaining communities.

Workshop on licensing, safety case and siting of radioactive waste disposal facilities

During the week 8 to 12 May, I have been in Bangkok working with engineers and scientists who have responsibility for the safe management of radioactive wastes here in Thailand. We are here at the invitation of the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), facilitating a workshop organised by IAEA on licensing, safety case development and siting of radioactive waste disposal facilities.

The workshop was attended by some 20 engineers and scientists from TINT and OAP, the nuclear regulator and together we worked on a roadmap setting out the key stages and activities within a programme for safe management and ultimately disposal of Thailand’s radioactive wastes.

Training Course on Radiation Protection

I’m very pleased to be here in Riyadh again supporting the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission with their training course on Radiation Protection. My involvement is to provide lectures on radioactive waste management. The course is aimed at young professionals who are, or who will be, working with radioactive materials and/or sources.

Post-Graduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources

For the second time I have been invited to lecture at the PGEC being delivered by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) in their capacity as IAEA Regional Training Centre for Europe. My role during the week has been to deliver a series of lectures on the topic of Radioactive Waste Management.

The Post-Graduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources is a 20 week course attracting post-graduate students and young professionals wanting to expand their knowledge in this important area. This year’s course is held in Athens and attracted students from across Southern Europe and Central Asia.

Class of 22/23