The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

Over 70 delegates from 47 organisations, representing radioactive waste producers, Parent Body Organisations, suppliers, regulators, and the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) attended an Upstream Optioneering workshop organised by our Radioactive Waste Management Directorate (RWMD) at the end of July 2012.

 Powerpoint slides from the Upstream Optioneering Workshop July 2012 (3Mb)

Key messages arising from the workshop included:

• How RWMD (through upstream optioneering and with early engagement in the Disposability Assessment Process) can offer support to waste producers when developing radioactive waste management plans
• A commitment from RWMD to work with waste producers to identify and deliver solutions to optimise the management of Higher Activity Waste; and
• Concepts and designs for geological disposal of higher activity waste are still at an early stage of development and changes that might offer solutions for waste producers can be considered through the change control process. 

Ciara Walsh, Project Manager for Upstream Optioneering said:

"The participants actively engaged throughout the day, offering views on some of the opportunities already within the project's three year programme and suggesting potential new opportunities. Their feedback on the day was very positive and suggested that the key messages were heard and very much welcomed. A report of the workshop will be produced and the presentations from the day will be available on the NDA website." 

As well as the formal sessions during the workshop the attendees took advantage of having time to have informal discussions with the NDA staff on a host of topics.