Cost Estimation For Research Reactor Decommissioning

The main aim of this publication is to disseminate experience in and guidance on cost estimates for research reactor decommissioning projects. It presents the principles and background for a costing methodology based on the International Structure for Decommissioning Costing (ISDC) of Nuclear Installations. The methodology presented implements actual experience in decommissioning costing and is in line with IAEA efforts promoting harmonization in this field. The IAEA has contributed to the development of software called CERREX (Cost Estimate for Research Reactors in Excel), a simpler version suitable for preliminary costing stages, which is included on the attached CD-ROM, together with a user manual. Several practical examples of software implementation and clarification of some details of available methodologies and models are also provided.

This publication reports on the DACCORD project, which supports Member States in preparing preliminary cost estimates for the decommissioning of research reactors. The report is of particular benefit to programmes with limited decommissioning experience. Costing projects for the decommissioning of research reactors can be broad in scope with many possible inputs and influences that require due consideration in developing the estimate. The publication provides information on unit factors for research reactor decommissioning and a basis for estimating uncertainties and contingencies and for assessing the impact of decommissioning planning and characterization activities. It also addresses the use of the CERREX-D2 (Cost Estimate for Research Reactors in Excel) software code, developed by the IAEA to enable non-specialist users to develop preliminary cost estimates for decommissioning.

Cost estimation for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities can vary considerably in format, content and practice both within and across countries. These differences may have legitimate reasons but make the process of reviewing estimates complicated and the estimates themselves difficult to defend. Hence, the joint initiative of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Commission (EC) was undertaken to propose a standard itemisation of decommissioning costs either directly for the production of cost estimates or for mapping estimates onto a standard, common structure for purposes of comparison. This report updates the earlier itemisation published in 1999 and takes into account experience accumulated thus far. The revised cost itemisation structure has sought to ensure that all costs within the planned scope of a decommissioning project may be reflected. The report also provides general guidance on developing a decommissioning cost estimate, including detailed advice on using the structure.

Taking into consideration the work done to date on research reactor decommissioning, it is timely to provide an up to date basis for ongoing and intended activities in this field. This report reviews, from a historical perspective, decommissioning projects completed in recent years or under way, and assesses progress as well as open and new issues. It is meant to facilitate timely, safe and efficient completion of decommissioning projects for research reactors by highlighting technologies, and planning or management methodologies, and suggesting ways to overcome expected issues. The report includes a CD-ROM providing details of several hundred research reactor decommissioning projects.

This publication is intended to assist those Member States with limited decommissioning expertise, to estimate the overall cost of decommissioning during the early planning stages. The lack of published data has made it difficult to benchmark estimated costs against international practice. The DACCORD (data analysis and collection for costing of research reactor decommissioning) project was established to address this deficiency. Based on the outcome of the three main working groups, this publication provides representative input data and benchmarking data needed for the costing of research reactor decommissioning at preliminary planning stages. All detailed cost cases considered in the DACCORD project are presented in a special format, following a software tool, developed by the IAEA, and which helps to ensure uniformity of the presented data and generally to facilitate the analysis of the available information.

Decommissioning means permanently removing a nuclear facility from service and reducing radioactive material on the licensed site to levels that permit termination of the NRC license.

While refurbishments for the long-term operation of nuclear power plants and for the lifetime extension of such plants have been widely pursued in recent years, the number of plants to be decommissioned is nonetheless expected to increase in future, particularly in the United States and Europe. It is thus important to understand the costs of decommissioning so as to develop coherent and cost-effective strategies, realistic cost estimates based on decommissioning plans from the outset of operations and mechanisms to ensure that future decommissioning expenses can be adequately covered. This study presents the results of an NEA review of the costs of decommissioning nuclear power plants and of overall funding practices adopted across NEA member countries. The study is based on the results of this NEA questionnaire, on actual decommissioning costs or estimates, and on plans for the establishment and management of decommissioning funds. Case studies are included to provide insight into decommissioning practices in a number of countries.