7 - 11th November 2011: Peine, Germany

This five-day course is in collaboration with DBE TECHNOLOGY and the IAEA. It is a component of the IAEA Network programme for 2011. The course is designed for project managers and scientists, regulatory agencies and geoscientific organisations concerned with the development of geological repositories for long-lived wastes. This course will look in some detail at the more practical aspects of repository construction, operation and closure. Full use will be made of DBE Technology's excellent facilities at Peine, which is easily accessible from either Hannover or Berlin.

You can register on-line using this form.

Course programme

This comprehensive training course is designed to inform and update participants with knowledge about the methods and technologies used in the development of geological repositories for high-level waste/spent fuel and other long-lived waste and specifically concerning the engineering aspects of the repository operations. The course will examine a range of pertinent technologies from the surface handling of the wastes to be disposed right through all the stages to geological disposal, post closure monitoring and consideration of waste retreivability. The training course is multi-disciplinary in its outlook and will provide a comprehensive overview of the key issues that need to be considered in a radioactive waste management programme where geological disposal in a sedimentary environment is an option.

The majority of the programme consists of interactive lectures, discussions and group exercises in an informal classroom atmosphere structured into five topical sessions. Sufficient time will be allocated for questions and discussions. The participants will be provided opportunity to discuss their specific issues with the assembled group of international tutors.

Visits of the the Gorleben exploration mine, situated in the community of Gorleben in the district of Lüchow-Dannenberg in Lower Saxony, and the engineering facilities of DBE Tec at Peine will provide participants with an appreciation of the considerable and impressive scientific work that has been done in Germany, especially concerning the characteristics of salt, the engineered barriers and engineering technology available. In addition, the excellent engineering facilities at DBE Technologies workshops will be examined to gain an appreciation of the wide range of technology currently available. Lectures will include reference to other underground and surface research facilities.

Download the course agenda here. 103 kb [UPDATED 20th October 2011]

Participants Profile

The participants should be specialists in organisations charged with implementation or regulation or they should hold support roles in national high-level waste management programmes. Younger professionals as well as those with some years of experience would benefit from the course. A wide range of technical subjects will be covered. Consequently, it is essential that participants should have a strong background (by education and/or experience) in appropriate subjects including nuclear and geotechnical science and engineering and geological sciences.

Course Location

The course will take place at the pleasant modern offices of DBE Technology (www.dbetec.de/en/about-dbe-tec/the-company/) on the outskirts of the town of Peine within easy walking distance of the balladins SUPERIOR Hotel, where participants will stay.

Getting to Peine

Peine is situated 45 km to the east of Hannover, the nearest airport and rail centre. Peine can be reached by rail from either Hannover main railway station or Hannover airport. There are regular connections which take approximately one hour fifteen minutes from Hannover airport to Peine. The hotel is a short taxi ride from Peine railway station. Participants should aim to arrive on the 6th Sunday evening before the course.

Course Fees

The course fees cover tuition, accommodation (November 6th to 10th), breakfast, lunch, dinner and morning and afternoon refreshments. Course notes and other materials are also covered by the fee, as well as all transports during the course to field sites.

CHF 5300 - ITC Members
CHF 5800 - non-members

Final deadline for registration is 7th October, 2011. The course fee is due within four weeks of your registration. Registration is not guaranteed until we have received the course fee. If you have to withdraw from the course after paying your fee, it will be refunded in full up to 1th October 2011. After this date, it is not refundable.

Application form

You can register on-line using this form. The number of places is limited, so we would advise you to register early.

Insurance

Please note that participants on this course, or their employing organisations, are responsible for their own personal insurance.

IAEA Support

Under the auspices of the IAEA, nationally developed Underground Research Facilities (URFs) and associated laboratories are being offered for use by other nations. The URFs and laboratories form a “Network of Centres of Excellence” for training in and development of waste disposal technologies. If your organisation is from a participating country in the IAEA training network scheme you may be able to request financial support from the IAEA for courses run as part of the Network scheme.

Geological Society of London

The ITC is directly associated with the CPD training scheme of the Geological Society of London (GSL – see http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/gsl/op/www%3C/page1.html) and periodically runs courses which have been endorsed by the GSL. These enable Fellows of the GSL to earn credits towards their CPD and offer them a 10% discount on the normal registration fee. This course is currently under consideration by the GSL and the results will be posted soon.

Expected output(s)

Attendance on the training course will provide participants with a firm understanding of operations during geological disposal for radioactive wastes. The course will illustrate through theory and examples the nature of site investigations in sedimentary environments and the importance of safety assessments and repository design studies. It will also provide information on the design and operational requirements of repository systems and waste handling equipment. Waste emplacement preparation, repository operations and monitoring will be reviewed. This will strengthen an individual’s knowledge base and enhance national capabilities to plan and undertake radioactive waste management programmes. Critical aspects of operational safety will also be addressed.