// Disposal Technology and Specialpurpose Machines

KONEKD

Development of a technical concept for a generic repository for heat-generating waste and spent fuel elements in crystalline rock in Germany

In the context of this project, three different concepts are pursued for achieving long-term containment effectiveness of a repository system in crystalline rock. These three concepts were identified in the R&D project CHRISTA/Jobmann 2016a as promising in terms of the realistic occurrence of the underlying geological formations in Germany and the demonstrability of long-term safety. The designation of a containment-effective rock zone according to the site selection law (StandAG 2017) is not mandatory. A repository concept may also primarily rely on technical or geotechnical barriers.

The aim of this project is to develop technical concepts for repositories for heat-generating radioactive waste and spent fuel elements in crystalline rock in Germany. Work on such types of repositories is still in its early stages in Germany. Currently, there is no corresponding safety concept that allows for planning decisions and ultimately technical measures for the post-closure phase of a repository based on long-term safety objectives. The development of a repository concept is an iterative process between repository concept development and safety concept development. The project presented here is part of this process and falls within the scope of repository concept development.