Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT) (방사성폐기물학회지)

Korean Radioactive Waste Society (한국방사성폐기물학회)
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The French Underground Research Laboratory in Bure: An Essential Tool for the Development and Preparation of the French Deep Geological Disposal Facility Cigéo

  • Received : 2023.07.25
  • Accepted : 2023.09.14
  • Published : 2023.12.30
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Abstract

This article presents the crucial role played by the French underground research laboratory (URL) in initiating the deep geological repository project Cigéo. In January 2023, Andra finalized the license application for the initial construction of Cigéo. Depending on Government's decision, the construction of Cigéo may be authorized around 2027. Cigéo is the result of a National program, launched in 1991, aiming to safely manage high-level and intermediate level long-lived radioactive wastes. This National program is based on four principles: 1) excellent science and technical knowledge, 2) safety and security as primary goals for waste management, 3) high requirements for environment protection, 4) transparent and open-public exchanges preceding the democratic decisions and orientations by the Parliament. The research and development (R&D) activities carried out in the URL supported the design and the safety demonstration of the Cigéo project. Moreover, running the URL has provided an opportunity to gain practical experience with regard to the security of underground operations, assessment of environmental impacts, and involvement of the public in the preparation of decisions. The practices implemented have helped gradually build confidence in the Cigéo project.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The author wishes to acknowledge Andra for the kind permission to use its illustrations. The author thanks Dr. Hong June Park (iKSNF) and Messrs. F. Plas and S. Farin (Andra) for helping with the manuscript. The author is also very grateful to Dr. Kyungsu Kim (President of iKSNF) and to Mrs. A.L. Khov and Mr. J.C. Masy (French Embassy in Seoul) for enabling his mission in Korea.

References

  1. French Law n˚1991-1381 of the 30th of December 1991 (1991).
  2. Radioactive Waste Management, For the Role of URLs See "Underground Research Laboratories (URL)", NEA/RWM/R(2013)2, February 2013 and the Updated Information on the Websites of Relevant Institutions Listed in Its Appendix A (2013).
  3. Currently, Cigeo's closure is envisaged around 2150 at the end of disposal operations. After closure, it's safety will be achieved passively, meaning that no human intervention is required. Cigeo's evolution and performance will be monitored from the surface with no predefined duration limit to date.
  4. Autorite de surete nucleaire. June 22 2023. "L'ASN considere que le dossier de demande d'autorisation de creation de Cigeo est recevable- Note d'information." ASN homepage. Accessed Jul. 20 2023. Available from: L'ASN considere que le dossier de demande d'autorisation de creation de Cigeo est recevable - 22/06/2023 - ASN.
  5. French Environmental Code, Article n˚ L542-10-1.
  6. The National evaluation commission, created by the law of 1991, evaluates the research carried out for the safe management of HLW on behalf of the Parliament. Its missions and organization CNE were adapted in 2006 to follow the development of the project (CNE2 - CNE2).
  7. Agence nationale pour la gestion des dechets radioactifs. December 2022. "Plan Directeur de l'exploitation - premiere edition." Andra homepage. Accessed Jul. 20 2023. Available from : Les documents de reference (andra.fr).
  8. The four rock formation selected in 1987 were Granite in the "departement des Deux-Sevres", Salt in the "department de l'Ain", Shale in the "departement du Maine-et-Loire" and Clay in the "departement de l'Aisne", Etude d'impact du projet global Cigeo, Volume II, decembre 2022. Available from : Les documents de reference (andra.fr).
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  10. A substantial water table was present above the granitic rock. It may have had various uses, for example for agricultural purpose. Etude d'impact du projet global Cigeo, Volume II, decembre 2022. Available from: Les documents de reference (andra.fr).
  11. Lately, at the occasion of the public enquiry concerning Cigeo's public interest carried out in 2021, both departmental assemblies voted in favor of the disposal project.
  12. De la Vaissiere Remi, Talandier Jean, Armand Gilles, Vu Minh-Ngoc, Cornet Francois Henri, "From Two-Phase Flow to Gas Fracturing into Callovo-Oxfordian Claystone", 53rd U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium (2019).
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  14. The assessment material and the results of the reviews are published on ASN's and Andra's websites. Available respectively from: Projet de centre de stockage Cigeo - 22/04/2022 - ASN and Les documents de reference (andra.fr).
  15. Examples of environmental requirements of Cigeo include the ban of phytosanitary products in outdoor area, total recycling of industrial water, light and sound emission reduction, preference to rail for heavy load transportation, landscape integration of buildings, zero net-loss of biodiversity.
  16. French Law n˚2006-739 of the 28th of June 2006 (2006).
  17. French Law n˚2016-1015 of the 25th of July 2016 (2016).