News

NF-Pro's fourth workshop

Hotel Metropole entrance

15-17 October, 2007, Hotel Métropole, Brussels, Belgium

Newsletter

This issue introduces the overall project goals, structure and consortium activities, ...

NF-Pro's third workshop

Lawrence speaking

14-16 November, 2006, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain.

Project Information

NF-PRO is a four-year Integrated Project (2004-2007) under the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Commission. NF-PRO brings together 40 leading nuclear research and waste management organisations with the aim of integrating European research on the safe management of long-lived and high-level radioactive waste.

NF-PRO aims to establish a scientific basis for resolving the issue of managing radioactive waste. Research as part of NF-PRO focuses on the disposal of radioactive waste in deep repositories. In particular, NF-PRO investigates key processes affecting the long-term barrier performance of the near-field system, which is an essential component of the geological disposal system ensuring the long-term safety of dispoal.

 

Context

Nuclear power constitues an important share in the energy mix of the European Union. At present, 32 percent of the electricity produced in the EU comes from nuclear power. Nuclear power makes a positive contribution to the energy-independency of the EU and produces only a negligible quantity of CO2. Nonetheless, the future of nuclear energy remains uncertain since the management of long-lived and high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel is one of the most challenging issues regarding nuclear power generation.

In the 1970's, national and international research programmes were set up with the purpose of investigating various options for the long-term management of radioactive waste. Today, broad consensus exists in the scientific community on deep (geological) disposal as the ultimate solution for the safe management of the radioactive wastes. Through geological disposal, radioactive waste is isolated from the biosphere by multiple engineered and natural barriers.