Challenges for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste in the deep underground. Socio-technical, legal, and planning perspectives.

The project “ Challenges for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste in the deep underground . Socio-technical, legal, and planning science perspectives” (HErAN) places the undertaking of “final disposal of high-level radioactive waste” in the context of current economic and social developments .

Against the background of the advancing climate crisis as well as current wars, conflicts, and economic and geopolitical challenges, both existing uses of the subsurface (such as groundwater extraction, mining, hydrocarbon exploration and extraction) and possible future uses (e.g., raw material extraction, deep geothermal energy, CCS) are gaining in importance. The deep subsurface is also playing a growing role in securing national independence in terms of raw material and energy supply. At the same time, the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste has legal priority in Germany. The importance and urgency of better understanding the mutual effects of various underground activities, resolving conflicting goals, and setting priorities for the use of underground space is therefore increasing. Sustainable use of the subsurface, which also includes ensuring safety (especially with regard to a final repository) and environmental protection, is becoming ever more significant. These developments are changing the planning requirements for underground projects. The question also arises as to how these developments will affect the site selection process and a future final repository for high-level radioactive waste.

The aim of this project is to proactively address interactions and potential conflicts that may arise from the increasing spatial use of the deep subsurface for the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste and to analyze existing planning requirements and possible needs. This will contribute to the long-term safe and resilient disposal of high-level radioactive waste. HErAN will investigate challenges and uncertainties from a scientific, technical, legal, and ethical perspective, identify planning requirements, and specify approaches for long-term governance of the deep underground. Building on this, research topics that should be examined more closely in the future are identified in collaboration with scientists and practitioners. It is therefore an exploratory pilot project with the aim of broadly analyzing the research topic, clarifying the need for action, outlining initial solutions, and identifying remaining research gaps.

The Öko-Institut is leading AP4 on long-term governance and is also working on issues of socio-technical uncertainty, particularly from a geological and scientific perspective.