[EN08] Nuclear waste production
Key message
In the 1990-2015 period, the quantity of spent nuclear fuel, which is the only type of high-level waste in Slovenia, increased by 5 % annually. As there is still no satisfactory method of waste storage, the accumulation of this waste poses a reason for concern.
Definition
This indicator monitors the quantity of spent nuclear fuel, which provides a good estimate of the situation in the field of radioactive waste. Furthermore, it contains a projection of the production of electricity from nuclear power, as it is a rough indication of the quantity of spent nuclear fuel in the future. It also monitors the volume of intermediate and low-level waste.
The measurement unit for the quantity of spent nuclear fuel is tHM (tonnes of heavy metal). Nuclear electricity generation is calculated in terawatt hours (TWh). Low and intermediate-level waste is stated in the number of drums or other units or in terms of volume (m3).
Nuclear waste is classified as follows:
• High-level waste (HLW) – highly radioactive, generates a considerable amount of heat and long-lived radioactivity;
• Intermediate-level waste (ILW) – higher amounts of radioactivity; further classified into beta-gamma emitters (low and intermediate-level of radiotoxicity, negligible heat) and alpha emitters (intermediate-level of radiotoxicity, low heat);
• Low-level waste (LLW) – small to negligible amounts of radioactivity and, as is the case with intermediate-level waste, classified into beta-gamma emitters and alpha emitters (Agency for Radwaste Management, 2007).
Charts
| Quantity of spent <br>nuclear fuel <br>per year | Quantity of spent <br>nuclear fuel in the <br>storage pool | Storage pool <br>capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 16.35 | 106.94 | 281.99 |
| 1991 | 0 | 106.94 | 281.99 |
| 1992 | 14.99 | 121.92 | 281.99 |
| 1993 | 16.35 | 138.27 | 281.99 |
| 1994 | 0 | 138.27 | 281.99 |
| 1995 | 12.26 | 150.53 | 281.99 |
| 1996 | 9.54 | 160.07 | 281.99 |
| 1997 | 9.54 | 169.60 | 281.99 |
| 1998 | 10.90 | 180.50 | 281.99 |
| 1999 | 10.90 | 191.40 | 281.99 |
| 2000 | 10.90 | 202.30 | 281.99 |
| 2001 | 12.26 | 214.56 | 281.99 |
| 2002 | 11.24 | 225.80 | 281.99 |
| 2003 | 14.99 | 240.78 | 576.93 |
| 2004 | 19.07 | 259.85 | 576.93 |
| 2005 | 0 | 259.85 | 576.93 |
| 2006 | 19.07 | 278.93 | 576.93 |
| 2007 | 18.05 | 296.98 | 576.93 |
| 2008 | 0 | 296.98 | 576.93 |
| 2009 | 19.41 | 316.39 | 576.93 |
| 2010 | 19.07 | 335.46 | 576.93 |
| 2011 | 0 | 335.46 | 576.93 |
| 2012 | 19.07 | 354.53 | 576.93 |
| 2013 | 19.41 | 373.95 | 576.93 |
| 2014 | 0 | 373.95 | 576.93 |
| 2015 | 19.07 | 393.02 | 576.93 |
| Quantity of low and medium radioactive waste | |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 1706 |
| 1991 | 1783 |
| 1992 | 1914 |
| 1993 | 2019 |
| 1994 | 2078 |
| 1995 | 1872 |
| 1996 | 1971 |
| 1997 | 2042 |
| 1998 | 2074 |
| 1999 | 2086 |
| 2000 | 2154 |
| 2001 | 2203 |
| 2002 | 2208 |
| 2003 | 2253 |
| 2004 | 2289 |
| 2005 | 2256 |
| 2006 | 2258 |
| 2007 | 2174 |
| 2008 | 2189 |
| 2009 | 2209 |
| 2010 | 2211 |
| 2011 | 2234.10 |
| 2012 | 2262 |
| 2013 | 2250.63 |
| 2014 | 2258.42 |
| 2015 | 2264 |
Goals
- to ensure safe management of all nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel in all phases of their existence;
- to provide permanent solutions for waste management (construction of the low and intermediate level radioactive waste repository, providing a long-term solution for depositing spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste).
Methodology
Data for Slovenia
Source database or source: Data on spent nuclear fuel and the quantity of intermediate and low-level waste (Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration – Annual Report) and Quantity of low and intermediate level waste at the repository of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (Agency for Radwaste Management – Annual Report).
Data administrator: Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration and Agency for Radwaste Management.
Date of acquisition for this indicator: 15 June 2017
Methodology and frequency of data collection for the indicator: Data are prepared on an annual basis.
Data processing methodology: Average annual growth is calculated using the following formula: [(last year)/(first year)]^(1 / the number of years) – 1] x 100.
Information concerning data quality:
- Advantages and disadvantages of the indicator: Data on spent nuclear fuel are reported by the Krško Nuclear Power Plant and the Jožef Stefan Institute and are of a high quality. Data on the volume of low and intermediate-level waste are of a lesser quality, as they encompass different shapes of waste.
- Relevance, accuracy, robustness, uncertainty:
Reliability of the indicator (archival data): The indicator is reliable.
Uncertainty of the indicator (scenarios/projections): Scenarios and projections are not available.
- Overall assessment (1 = no major comments, 3 = data to be considered with reservation):
Relevance: 1
Accuracy: 1
Completeness over time: 1
Completeness over space: 1