Working Party on Decommissioning and Dismantling (WPDD)

Overview

Within the NEA, the Working Party on Decommissioning and Dismantling (WPDD) of the RWMC provides a focus for the analysis of decommissioning policy, strategy and regulation, including the related issues of management of materials, release of buildings and sites from regulatory control and associated cost estimation and funding. Beyond policy and strategy considerations, the WPDD also reviews practical considerations for implementation such as techniques for characterisation of materials, for decontamination and for dismantling.

The WPDD brings together senior experts in decommissioning from 17 OECD countries: Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, with involvement also from other international organisations such as the European Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Its membership includes policy specialists, regulators, implementers, researchers and waste management experts. It has a specialist sub-group devoted to the exchange of information and experience on costing issues, the Decommissioning Cost Estimation Group (DCEG).

WPDD tracks decommissioning developments worldwide and develops reports and position papers on emerging issues. Its overarching aim is to contribute to the development of best practice through circulation of its reports and through dialogue between policy makers, practitioners, regulators, researchers and international organisations.

Annual meetings and workshops

The WPDD meets once each year, at a host location that rotates among the member countries. Each meeting normally includes a topical session on an issue of special interest, and a session focussing on the framework for decommissioning in the host country. After the meeting, the host country normally arranges a visit to a local facility undergoing decommissioning.

In meetings, workshops and joint projects, the WPDD collaborates with other groups working in the field of decommissioning. These include the NEA’s programme for the exchange of scientific and technical information on the decommissioning of nuclear installations (CPD), as well as the NEA Forum on Stakeholder Confidence (FSC), to help reflect on the links between decommissioning, decision-making and public confidence, and with the RWMC Regulators’ Forum on regulatory issues.

WPDD flyers and document maps

Working Party on Decommissioning and Dismantling (A4 printing format)

Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities: It can and has been done (2009)

A Map of International Activities on Decommissioning and Dismantling: December 2009 [NEA/RWM/WPDD(2009)9]

The Decommissioning and Dismantling of Nuclear Facilities in NEA Member Countries: National Fact Sheets

These country reports and profiles present the radioactive waste management and decommissioning programmes of OECD/NEA member countries. They include information on national policies and strategies for decommissioning as well as on current decommissioning projects and associated funding arrangements and research programmes.

Task Groups of the WPDD

Decommissioning Cost Estimation Group (DCEG)

The WPDD Decommissioning Cost Estimation Group (DCEG) was created to foster the exchange of information and experience on issues in this field. In promoting collective learning on the subject, it aims to enhance the credibility, reliability, and auditability of the cost estimation process - thereby enhancing stakeholder confidence in the process of managing radioactive waste management liabilities. The group helps define best practices in the field of decommissioning cost estimation and to examine the scope for achieving consensus on overall objectives and developing common approaches.

DCEG members only area (requires password | reminder)

Large Components Task Group (requires password | reminder)
The Large Components Task Group is developing a guidance report that will provide a basis for the different involved parties (regulators, decommissioners and waste management organisations) to reach convergence on the most relevant management option for the management of large components; to identify the criteria that should be assessed to appreciate this relevance; and to promote a communication tool that takes benefit from the experience gained by different countries concerned with this issue.

R&D Needs Task Group (requires password | reminder)
The task group on R&D Needs for Decommissioning was created to study current R&D needs for decommissioning against an overall objective of increasing safety, reducing secondary waste production and/or increasing efficiency in decommissioning projects. A report from the group will present the study findings and will outline R&D projects that merit consideration for future funding by governments or by the decommissioning industry.

WPDD news articles

Applying decommissioning experience to the design and operation of new nuclear power plants (NEA News, Volume 27.1, 2009)

Cost estimation for decommissioning (NEA News, Volume 27.2, 2009)

Libération des matériaux et bâtiments radioactifs du contrôle réglementaire (Revue Générale Nucléaire, Année 2009 – N°4 – Juillet-Août)

The Programme of work of the NEA in the Field of Decommissioning (Revue Générale Nucléaire, Année 2008 – N°6 – Novembre-Décembre)

WPDD studies and reports

Applying Decommissioning Experience to the Design and Operation of New Nuclear Power Plants (2009)
Although the decommissioning of a nuclear facility occurs many decades after its construction, important provisions for decommissioning need to be incorporated at the plant design stage. The third generation nuclear power plants incorporate many improvements that facilitate dismantling. These also provide for easier replacement of components, more efficient maintenance, greater safety and/or lower costs during plant operation. Key design considerations include incorporation of modular concepts, innovations in equipment, materials and system layout, and measures to reduce potential levels of contamination, e.g. by careful selection of materials to reduce activity buildup and by use of fewer components and less piping.

Regulators increasingly require that a decommissioning plan be provided at the time of the request of a construction or operating license and that this plan be updated regularly during plant operation. This requirement, coupled with the need for transparent financial guarantees or the timely accumulation of decommissioning funds, makes decommissioning an integral part of lifetime plant management.

Regulating the Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities (2008)
Achieving the Goals of the Decommissioning Safety Case (2005)
The removal of fuel from a shutdown nuclear facility eliminates the major source of radiological hazard i.e. that associated with nuclear operation. This, together with the cessation of operations at high temperatures and pressures, means that risks to public health and to the environment are significantly reduced. The process of decommissioning does however include dismantling operations and waste treatment processes with associated conventional and radiological hazards. Some radiological hazards for the workforce remain because of the possibly of coming into contact with radioactively contaminated or activated material.

Regulators today adapt their procedures to the changing levels of risk in a nuclear facility that is undergoing decommissioning. One emerging practice involves greater use of internal authorisation systems for minor plant modifications, with a first level of oversight by an independent safety committee established by the plant operator. In this situation national regulatory resources are focussed on issues with greater safety or environmental significance.

Release of Radioactive Materials and Buildings from Regulatory Control (2008)
The Release of Sites of Nuclear Installations (2006)
The process of decontamination and dismantling of nuclear installations generally results in disused materials (often in large quantities) and buildings that present no safety risk to the general public. Releasing such materials from regulatory control, e.g. for free use outside the nuclear industry, provides one option for their long term management. Other management possibilities include the recycling of these materials, especially metals, within the nuclear industry, and/or their direct emplacement in dedicated disposal facilities. Similarly, once a nuclear installation has been completely dismantled the final step involves the decontamination of the site for industrial (nuclear or non-nuclear) purposes, or for other uses (e.g. agricultural or recreational).

The step of removal of materials or a site from regulatory control is taken only after extensive surveys have shown that any resulting radiological exposure of the public will be trivial.

Stakeholder Issues and Involvement in Decommissioning Nuclear Facilities (2007)
Decommissioning Funding: Ethics, Implementation, Uncertainties (2006)
What We Heard Within WPDD on Stakeholder Involvement in Decommissioning, 2001-2004: A Compilation of Papers
As in other phases of the nuclear facility life cycle, it is necessary to build and demonstrate to stakeholders a trustworthy basis for decommissioning and dismantling projects. This may be accomplished through involving local and regional actors in decision-making, and is facilitated by monitoring activities, so as to have a better grip on the continuous changes taking place at the site. Transparency is needed in decision-making and in the respective roles played by regulators, implementers and local authorities. At all times, proactive information, and efforts to ‘translate’ technical information into language meaningful to the chosen audience, will contribute to building mutual understanding and trust. Partnership arrangements, by which institutions enter into structured project-management relationships with local communities, have been found beneficial.

Decommissioning may be viewed as an opportunity to improve the sustainability of the host community, e.g. by helping to create added cultural or economic value that increase the quality of life over the years. Also, plant designs integrating reflection on the end use of the facility and site, or technical provisions for quick transitions to other types of facilities, provide better assurance to the host community that there will be flexibility for future planning.

Selecting Strategies for the Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities (2006)
Many current plant operators intend to follow a strategy of ‘immediate dismantling’, following quickly upon a transition period following plant shut-down. Other operators prefer to defer dismantling for periods as long as several decades during which the residual radioactivity decays importantly while the facility or site is maintained in a safe condition.

The factors that affect the choice of decommissioning strategy are dependent on country- and facility-specific conditions. Site reuse considerations, the availability of a waste management path, the extent of knowledge of the plant’s history and the availability of equipment needed for the plant’s dismantling are the main factors considered. Relevant socio-economic considerations include future plans for regional development and local employment in the often remote site area. Inadequate pre-funding potentially creates a major constraint, which may make immediate dismantling impracticable in certain cases.

WPDD workshop and topical session proceedings

Topical Session on Management of Large Components from Decommissioning to Storage and Disposal
Issy-les-Moulineaux, 18-19 November 2009, NEA/RWM/WPDD(2010)/2

Topical Session on Applying Decommissioning Experience to the Design and Operation of New Nuclear Power Plants
Senec, Slovak Republic, 12-13 November 2008, NEA/RWM/WPDD(2009)/3

Topical Session on Human and Organisational factors in Decommissioning
Harwell, United Kingdom, 7-8 November 2007, NEA/RWM/WPDD(2008)/8

Topical Session on Stakeholder Involvement in Decommissioning
Brussels, Belgium, 14 November 2006, NEA/RWM/WPDD(2006)/5

Topical Session on Funding Issues in Connection with Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants
Paris, France, 9 November 2004, NEA/RWM/WPDD(2005)4

WPDD Workshop on Safe, Efficient, and Cost-Effective Decommissioning: Workshop Conclusions/Final Stocktaking.
Rome, Italy, 6-10 September 2004, NEA/RWM/WPDD(2005)6

Strategy Selection for the Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities
Seminar Proceedings, Tarragona, Spain, 1-4 September 2003

Topical Session on Liabilities Identification and Long-term Management at the National Level
Paris, France, 13 March 2003, NEA/RWM/(2003)14

Topical Session on the Decommissioning and Dismantling Safety Case
Paris, France, 5 December 2001, NEA/RWM/WPDD(2002)2

Topical Session on Materials Management
Paris, France, 6 December 2001, NEA/RWM/WPDD(2002)7

Topical Session on Buildings and Sites Release and Reuse
Karlsruhe, Germany, 7-10 June 2002, NEA/RWM/WPDD(2002)8