Deep geological disposal of radioactive waste:
The role of geoscience
Convenors Mike Bowman (University of Manchester), Tom Berry (Jacobs), Jonathan Turner (Radioactive Waste Management), Fiona McEvoy (BGS)
Online, 27th & 28th September 2021 | 12:00pm - 5:00pm
A series of invited talks and discussions reviewing the critical role played by the geosphere in deep geological disposal of radioactive waste.
Click here to download a poster for the event
Agenda
Download a copy of the agenda here
Day 1
12:15 -12:30 Joining the Event
12:30 - 12:45 Introduction & Context Setting: Mike Bowman (University of Manchester)
Session 1
Chair: Mike Daly (University of Oxford)
12:50 - 13:30 What is a geological disposal facility and what opportunities does it present for the geoscience community? Jonathan Turner (Radioactive Waste Management)
13:30 - 14:10 Site investigations at Forsmark, Sweden, for a repository of spent nuclear fuel. Kaj Ahlbom (SKB International)
14:10 - 14:20 Break
14:20 - 15:00 Hard evidence from soft rock – Long-term isolation arguments and design challenges for repositories in a claystone. Tim Vietor (NAGRA – National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste)
15:00 - 15:40 Interdisciplinary investigations in rock salt as a potential host rock for high level radioactive waste in Germany. Lukas Pollok & Nicole Schubarth-Engelschall (BGR - Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Germany)
15:40 - 15:50 Break
15:50 - 16:45 Live Panel Discussion
Geoscience and engineering focus – the subsurface facing challenges of deep disposal and other options, understanding subsurface and technical uncertainties and risks and how they focus technical activities and enable community engagement.
Pannel: Mike Daly (University of Oxford), Cherry Tweed (Radioactive Waste Management), Julia M West (West Consult), Tom Berry (Jacobs), Fiona McEvoy (BGS)
16:45 Closing Remarks, Mike Bowman
Day 2
12:15 - 12:30 Joining the Event
12:30 - 12:45 Introduction & Context Setting: Tom Berry (Jacobs)
Session 2
Co-Chair: Cherry Tweed (Radioactive Waste Management) & Jonathan Turner (Radioactive Waste Management)
12:50 - 13:30 No Planet B: Earth resources, geostorage & sustainability. Jon Gluyas (University of Durham)
13:30 -14:10 Predicting geological and climatic change over the next 1 million years: A UK perspective. Fiona McEvoy (BGS) & David Schofield (BGS)
14:10 - 14:20 BreaK
14:20 - 15:00 Geosciences, GDF Design and the Long-Term Safety Case. Neil Chapman (University of Sheffield)
15:00 - 15:40 Geology, a very human conversation. Implications for the GDF. Penny Harvey (University of Manchester)
15:40 - 15:50 Break
15:50 - 16:45 Live Panel Discussion
The geopolitical challenges of deep disposal – safely & securely locking the waste away in the subsurface environment, reducing the need for on-going human intervention etc., understanding the uncertainties and risks in engaging communities and wider impacts.
Pannel: Jen Roberts (University of Strathclyde), Mike Daly (University of Oxford), Neil Chapman (University of Sheffield), Penny Harvey (University of Manchester), Sir Keith O’Nions (BGS)
16:45 Closing Remarks, Nick Riley - YGS President