NEA Mandates and Structures

Expert Group on Innovative Technologies and Techniques to Support Characterisation and Decommissioning of Complex and Legacy Sites (EGTCD)

Mandate (Document reference):

• Mandate of the Working Party on Technical, Environmental and Safety Aspects of Decommissioning and Legacy Management (WPTES) [NEA/DLM(2021)3/FINAL]
• Summary Record of the WPTES-1 meeting held on 23-24 February 2022 [forthcoming] - CDLM Bodies Guidance [NEA/DLM(2021)7] 
• Summary Record of the Third Plenary meeting of the CDLM (CDLM-3) held on 16-17 March 2021 [NEA/DLM/M(2021)9/PROV]
• Summary Record of the Fifth Plenary Meeting of the CDLM held on 24 March 2023 [NEA/DLM/M(2023)5/PROV] 
• Mandate of the Expert Group on Innovative Technologies and Techniques to Support Characterisation and  Decommissioning of Complex and Legacy Sites (EGTCD) [NEA/DLM(2023)8/PROV]

Mandate (Document extract):

Extract of document NEA/DLM(2023)8/PROV

Background

In order to more effectively address the Nuclear Energy Agency’s (NEA) mission, the Committee on Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations and Legacy Management (CDLM) created the Working Party on Technical, Environmental and Safety Aspects of Decommissioning and Legacy Management (WPTES) on 15 March 2021.

To support the WPTES in its work, the creation of a task-oriented Expert Group on Innovative Technologies and Techniques to Support Characterisation and Decommissioning of Complex and Legacy Sites (EGTCD) was proposed and agreed by WPTES Members at their Plenary Meeting on 23 – 24 February 2022.

Scope

The EGTCD will provide an overview on innovative technologies and techniques for characterisation and decommissioning of nuclear installations and legacy management. EGTCD will be set up under WPTES as a level-three NEA body.

Objectives

The EGTCD will:

• provide a forum to address the current state-of-the-art technologies and techniques used in decommissioning of complex and legacy sites, including:
  • Radiological and site characterisation during all stages of decommissioning (e.g., subsurface survey design optimisation and data analysis; collection, visualisation, analysis of continuously collected data);
  • Decontamination, remediation, dismantlement, and demolition, including resulting dose reduction and minimising waste generation;
  • Materials management including reuse and recycling of materials;
• identify specific decommissioning tasks, processes, and functions for which new technologies are likely to have clear benefits;
• identify and address challenges to the successful implementation of innovative techniques and technologies including additional research needs, regulatory acceptance, and availability of guidance; and
• share lessons-learned and good practices related to the implementation of innovative technologies.

Working methods

The mode of operation of the EGTCD is based upon yearly plenary meetings (more, if needed, upon decision of the group and taking into account the Secretariat’s resources) and a yearly adopted, project-oriented, programme of work (PoW).

Communication within the EGTCD will primarily take place through annual plenary meetings. The EGTCD plenary meeting will be devoted to the following:

• exchange of information on recent developments in the member countries;
• in-depth discussions of current developments and of topical issues, where additional specialists may also be invited;
• identification of main lessons to be reported to the CDLM, including preparing topical sessions at the CDLM plenary meetings; and
• discussion and co-ordination of the PoW.

A Bureau consisting of the Chair and one or more Vice-Chairs will coordinate and facilitate the work of the EGTCD. The Bureau would normally meet once or twice a year, with one meeting held in conjunction with the annual WPTES plenary meeting. 

The EGTCD will report to the WPTES at the annual meetings of the parent body.

Additionally, the EGTCD will: (i) identify resources and schedules for its activities; (ii) form task teams to work on specific projects and organise workshops, as appropriate; and (iii) review the working programme and the effectiveness of the programme.

In fulfilment of its mandate, the EGTCD will primarily be supported by the staff of the NEA Division of Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning (RWMD).

Membership

The EGTCD is a task-oriented body. It aims for a composition which includes a diverse range of senior specialists who have considerable experience and knowledge in the area of technical, environmental and safety aspects in decommissioning and legacy management. This representation will be wide-ranging, and includes policy-makers, regulators, implementers, and specialists in decommissioning and legacy management. 

Interactions

Through the WPTES and NEA Secretariat, the EGTCD will co-operate with other CDLM bodies, as appropriate (such as the Regulators' Forum (RF)), other NEA standing technical committees, and their subsidiary bodies, when relevant. In particular, the EGTCD may cooperate with subsidiary bodies of the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC), such as the Expert Group on the Application of Robotics and Remote Systems in the Nuclear Back-end (EGRRS).

The EGTCD may also co-operate with the NEA Co-operative Programme for the Exchange of Scientific and Technical Information Concerning Nuclear Installation Decommissioning Projects (CPD), the OECD Environment Directorate, and other international organisations on matters of common interest.

The work of the EGTCD is complementary to that of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and European Commission (EC); EGTCD will co-operate with its relevant counterparts and will provide input to these institutions, as appropriate.

Deliverables

The EGTCD will produce one technical report, as well as presentations or workshops (as appropriate), with the support of the Secretariat.