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Exploring how innovative nuclear systems require innovative waste management solutions

The NEA Joint Project on Waste Integration for Small and Advanced Reactor Designs (WISARD) focuses on exploring how front-end and design phase decisions impact back-end strategies to support sustainable future nuclear systems.

Participants

WISARD project signatories:

• Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)
• Saltfoss Energy
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd
• Nuclear Abundant Affordable Resourceful Energy for All (NAAREA)
• Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit gGmbH (GRS)
• Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)
• Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP)
• Blykalla
• United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratories (UKNNL)
• Nuclear Waste Services (NWS)
• Deep Isolation
• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
• Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)

Third parties (organisations contributing to the WISARD programme of work under the invitation of a signatory):

• Moltex Energy
• New Brunswick Power
• Gesellschaft für Nuklear-Service mbH (GNS)
• KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS)
• UK Environment Agency
• Holtec International Inc.
• NAC International
• Orano USA
• World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI)

Overview

WISARD is an ambitious project which builds on global interest in innovative fuels, small modular reactors (SMRs), and advanced reactor systems for sustainable nuclear energy. The project capitalises on the opportunity to integrate a sustainable spent fuel and waste management strategy from the very beginning of advanced reactor lifecycles.

The main goal of the WISARD project is to evaluate the compatibility of spent fuel and waste streams from SMRs and advanced reactors with existing waste management solutions. Considering the back-end from the beginning will further our understanding of the impacts of new technology choices and fuel cycle options; allow waste management perspectives to inform design decisions; and improve design optimisation and robustness by creating opportunities to address potential future challenges early.

Structure

The WISARD project is made up of six tasks focusing on specific areas of work:

1. Irradiated fuel and coolant characterisation
2. Treatment and recycling
3. Storage
4. Transportation
5. Disposal (DGR and borehole)
6. Cross-cutting integration and interdependencies across the project

The specific SMR and advanced reactor systems under consideration were chosen to reflect the interests and expectations of the participating organisations. To enable effective information sharing and ensure data protection, the WISARD project operates as a closed activity and all participants retain ownership of any intellectual property provided as part of the project work.

Following a one-year preparatory phase, the WISARD project will run as a 3-year initiative from April 2025 - March 2028. All results will be subject to a non-disclosure period following the project completion.

Joining WISARD

Additional participants are welcome to join WISARD throughout the project, subject to the approval of the project Management Board. Interested parties are invited to contact the NEA Secretariat (WISARD@oecd-nea.org) for further information on the joining process.