The responsible management of the used nuclear fuel by the nuclear industry

Used Fuel is generated from the operation of nuclear reactors of all types. The nuclear industry is currently implementing strategies ensuring a safe and cost effective overall management of these used fuel. The strategies considered are the open cycle and the closed cycle. Besides these strategies, some countries may decide to consider the open cycle but, depending on a number of drivers (such as country policy, technology availability, geology, public acceptance, present and future nuclear program, …) may also examine alternative options. The used fuel is in that case interim stored. The paper aims at presenting the existing and under development industrial infrastructures for used fuel management which ensure that whatever the options the used fuel is safely managed by the nuclear operators. On the long-term, integrated system approaches are implemented in stages to mitigate risks and uncertainties. Moreover, the paper describes as well the innovative solutions which could be implemented in the mid-term and the constraints to their development. Lessons learnt from the successful used fuel management from research reactors that could be applicable to nuclear power reactors are also presented. The Sustainable Used Fuel Management Working Group of WNA main objectives are to share and promote sound, safe, sustainable and proliferation-proof used fuel management and explain how used fuel management could further contribute to the sustainability of nuclear energy. (author)