EC MoDeRn Project: In-situ Demonstration of Innovative Monitoring Technologies for Geological Disposal

The EC MoDeRn project aims to provide a reference framework for the development and possible implementation of monitoring and associated stakeholder engagement during relevant phases of the radioactive waste disposal process (site characterisation, construction, operation and staged closure, as well as a post-closure institutional control phase). Monitoring provides operators and other stakeholders with in situ data on repository evolutions, to contribute to operational safety, to help manage construction, operation and/or closure activities, and may also be used to assess safety assessments. Monitoring provides information for decisions during the stages of repository development, operation and closure. When monitoring activities respond to stakeholder needs and provide them with clear, they will also contribute to transparency and help develop stakeholder confidence. The MoDeRn Project work programme addresses both Process (why monitor, developing a monitoring programmes, translating monitoring objectives into practice and using the results from monitoring) and Technology (technical requirements and constraints, state-of-the-art for monitoring technology, focused R&D and the development of techniques through demonstrations in URLs). The projects work includes the development of three sample Case Studies (monitoring in granite, clay and salt environments). Brief descriptions of each of the technical demonstrators are included in this paper.