Agenda

Day 1 - October 18, 2004
* denotes presentations that were part of the first Methodologies course in August, 2003.  Course materials available

8:00 – 8:30 am

Introduction to the Training Session
(Bo Bodvarsson, LBNL and Malcolm Gray, IAEA)

8:30 – 9:15 am

*Session 1: Nuclear Waste Disposal Concepts – An Overview of the History of Radioactive Waste Management in the United States
(Chris Whipple, Environ International)

This session will provide a discussion of the approach to nuclear waste disposal; drivers for waste policy and the current situation; technical insights from performance assessment; and regulatory and policy issues.

9:15– 9:45 am

*Session 2: Nuclear Fuel Cycle
(Per Peterson, UC Berkeley)

In this session we will review the nuclear fuel cycle; discuss the characteristics of spent fuel and high-level waste; and discuss advanced fuel cycles and their implications for repository capacity.

9:45– 10:00 am

Break

10:00– 10:45 am

*Session 3: Worldwide Review of URLs and Nuclear Waste Disposal Development
(Paul Witherspoon, DOE/LBNL)

Dr. Witherspoon will present highlights from his review of “Geological Challenges in Radioactive Waste Isolation”

10:45 – 12:00 pm

Session 4: Concepts and Programs for Nuclear Waste Disposal – Trainees’ perspectives

12:00– 1:15 pm

Lunch

1:15 – 2:00 pm

Session 4: Concepts and Programs for Nuclear Waste Disposal – Trainees’ perspectives (continued)
(10 - 15 minutes for each trainee to discuss his/her country’s plans or program)

Felicia Dragolici
Jitka Miksova
Carlos Ninci
Balint Nos
Artiom Popov
Saulius Sliaupa
Peter Tomse
Alena Zavazanova  

2:00–2:30 pm

Session 5:  Overview of Japanese High Level Waste Management Program
(Sumio Masuda, CRIEPI and Obayashi)

2:30 – 3:15 pm

Session 6: Defining Regulatory Dose Standards
(Betsy Forinash, US-EPA) 

This session will discuss the process used to develop the standards for allowable releases from a geologic repository.  At the end of the session, Mr. Masuda will provide comments on the Japanese perspective.

3:15 - 3:30 pm

Break

3:30-4:30 pm

*Session 7: Regulator's Perspective on Judging the Safety of a Proposed Repository - Overview
(Bill Reamer, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (tentative);

Interactions with the Regulator
(April Gil, U.S. DOE)

This session will focus on the regulator’s approach for judging the safety of a proposed geologic repository for disposal of radioactive waste.  At the end of the session, Mr. Masuda will provide comments on the Japanese perspective

4:30-5:15 pm

*Session 8: External Technical Reviews of Nuclear Waste Disposal Programs – Perspectives
(Dan Metlay, USA/NWTRB, Chris Whipple, USA/NAS)

This session will explore the role of independent, external reviewers in development of the technical bases by which a geologic repository program can be demonstrated to meet regulatory requirements.  At the end of the session, Mr. Masuda will provide comments on the Japanese perspective.

5:15 pm

Open discussion of Day 1 Topics and general context
(Discussion leader )

Adjourn for Day 1

6:30 pm

Working Dinner – Guest Speaker:  
John Arthur, Deputy Director OCRWM/ORD

Day 2– October 19, 2004

8:00 – 9:00 am

*Session 9: Institutional Arrangements for Managing Radioactive Waste – Does it Matter?  Should we Care?
(Dan Metlay, NWTRB)

9:00– 10:30 am

Session 10:  Interactions with the Public – Lessons Learned
(Lake Barrett, Chris Whipple)

This session will provide personal insights on interacting with the public in difficult situations (eg Three Mile Island).  At the end of the session, Mr. Masuda will provide comments on the Japanese perspective.

10:00 – 10:45 am

Break

10:45– 11:30 am

Session 11:  The Yucca Mountain Project, A Historical Perspective–Interactions with Congress and Oversight Bodies
(Lake Barrett)

This session will focus on the American experience in working with legislators to assure adequate funding and continuing support for a multi-year, high visibility, controversial program.  

11:30– 12:15 pm

Session 12: International Views onStaged  Repository Development
(Thomas Isaacs, LLNL)

This session will explore alternative methods of repository development that allow for multiple decision points in the repository development process.

12:15-1:30 pm

Lunch

1:30-2:30 pm

*Session 13: Site Screening and Selection
(Michael Voegele, DOE/BSC)

This session will provide a review of the US program from the passage of the Atomic Energy Act in 1954 through the designation of the Yucca Mountain site for development of a geologic repository. 

2:30-3:30 pm

*Session 14: Preliminary Site Characterization
(Michael Voegele DOE/BSC, Frank Hansen, WIPP, and Peter Baumgartner, AECL)

This session will introduce the concepts of using iterative modeling and testing to develop understanding of the features, events and processes that will define performance of a site.  The Canadian Underground Research Laboratory will be used as an example of the site evaluation process.

3:30-3:45 pm

Break

3:45-4:45 pm

*Session 15: Natural and Man-Made Natural Barriers
(Bo Bodvarsson, DOE/LBNL, Frank Hansen, WIPP and Peter Baumgartner, AECL)

This session will review the development of an understanding of the natural barriers to radionuclide migration and the concurrent development of enhancements to the system (“man-made natural barriers”) that can improve performance of the repository site.

4:45-5:00 pm

Open discussion of Day 2 Topics and general context
(Discussion leader: )

5:00 pm

Adjourn for Day 2

Day 3– October 20, 2004

8:00 – 10:30 am

*Session 16: Engineered Barriers
(Peter Baumgartner, AECL, Harris Greenberg, DOE/MTS).

This session will focus on the Canadian experiences in developing a variety of seals and sealing strategies to isolate the emplacement container and retard releases within the repository and to the biosphere.  Comments on the work done in the US and in the European community will follow the main presentation. 

10:30– 10:45 am

Break

10:45 – 12:30 am

*Session 17: Underground Exploratory Studies
(Mark Peters, DOE/ANL, Peter Baumgartner, AECL)

In this session, we will review the types of testing that are best accomplished in an underground facility, including the studies of ambient and disturbed systems and the importance of understanding the role of coupled processes (hydro-geo-chemical interactions)

12:30– 1:45 pm

Lunch

1:45 – 3:45 pm

Session 18: Repository Design – Integrating Natural and Engineered Barriers
(Harris Greenberg, DOE/MTS, Malcolm Gray, IAEA)

The design, layout, and operating considerations for the underground facility play a large role in the long term performance of a repository.  Here we will discuss the engineering aspects (eg spacing, thermal goals, materials selection) that must be considered in modeling long term performance of a repository.

3:55 - 5:00 pm

Tour of LBNL
(Bo Bodvarsson, LBNL, Tour Leader)

5:00 pm

Adjourn for Day 3

Day 4 – October 21, 2004

8:00 – 10:30 am

Session 19: Numerical Modeling and Repository Design
(Bo Bodvarsson, DOE/LBNL; Peter Baumgartner, AECL)

In this session, we will see how numerical models are used to understand the effects of a repository on the natural system.  Consideration will be given to both forward and inverse modeling to design tests, predict performance and conduct sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. 

10:30 – 10:45 am

Break

10:45– 12:00 pm

Session 20: Total System Performance Assessment
(Abe VanLuik, DOE; John Kessler, EPRI)

In this session, we will discuss the development and application of probabilistic modeling in assessing the performance of a geologic repository over thousands of years.  Discussion will focus on scenario development, treatment of uncertainties, and model abstraction.

12:00-1:30 pm

Lunch

1:30 - 2:45 pm

Session 20: Total System Performance Assessment (continued)

2:45-3:00 pm

Break

3:00-3:30 pm

Open discussion of Day 4 Topics and general context.
(Discussion leader: )

3:30-5:30 pm

Tour of Earth Sciences Laboratory
(Bo Bodvarsson, LBNL, Tour Leader)

5:30 pm

Adjourn for Day 4

Day 5– October 22, 2004

8:00 – 9:00 am

*Session 21: Project Management in a Regulatory Environment
(Claudia Newbury, DOE)

This session will provide an overview of the management aspects of developing a geologic repository, including planning work, monitoring progress, and maintaining a record of activities and results.

9:00 – 9:30 am

Session 22 – International Technical Cooperation
(Robert Levich, DOE)

9:30-9:45 am

Break

9:45-10:30 am

Open discussion of Training Week (Topics and general context.
(Discussion leader)

10:30-11:00 am

Brief Comments on the YM ESF
(Mark Peters, DOE/ANL)

11:00-11:30 am

Closing Remarks and Practical Considerations for Week 2, the Underground
(Malcolm Gray, IAEA; and Bo Bodvarsson,
DOE/LBNL facilitator and DOE facilitator)

11:30 am

Adjourn for Day 5 and Week 1