KAZALCI OKOLJA

Key message
Neutral

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. 


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

Figure EN08-1: The annual quantity of spent nuclear fuel from the Nuclear Power Station Krško, increase in quantity of highly radioactive waste in spent fuel pool and the storage capacity for the period 1990-2015
Show data
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
Figure EN08-2: Stored amount of low and medium radioactive waste in Nuclear Power Station Krško's storages from electricity production in the period 1990-2015
Show data
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

 

Date of data source summarization

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