The Importance of Experience Based Decommissioning Planning - 16242

Decommissioning of a nuclear facility is an extensive and multidisciplinary task which involves the management and technical actions associated with ceasing operation and thereafter the step by step transfer of the facility from an operating plant to an object under decommissioning. The decommissioning phase includes dismantling of systems and components, decontamination and clearance, demolition of buildings, remediation of any contaminated ground and finally a survey of the site. Several of these activities generate radioactive or potentially radioactive waste which has to be managed properly prior to clearance or disposal. What makes decommissioning of nuclear installations unique is to a large extent the radioactive waste management. No other industries have that complex regulatory frameworks for waste management. If a decommissioning project in the nuclear industry does not consider the waste aspects to the extent required, there is a large risk of failure causing a reduced trust by the regulators and other stakeholders as well as cost and schedule overruns. This paper will give an overview of important aspects and findings gathered during decades of planning and conducting decommissioning and nuclear facility modernization projects. (authors)