Status of Deep Borehole Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste in Germany

Guido Bracke, Wolfram Kudla and Tino Rosenzweig
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Guido Bracke: GRS gGmbH, Schwertnergasse 1, 50968 Cologne, Germany
Wolfram Kudla: Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Bergbau und Spezialtiefbau, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
Tino Rosenzweig: Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Bergbau und Spezialtiefbau, 09599 Freiberg, Germany

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: The phase-out of nuclear energy in Germany will take place in 2022. A site for final disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) has not yet been chosen, but a site selection process was restarted by the Site Selection Act in 2017. This Act was based on a recommendation by a commission which also advised to follow up the development of deep borehole disposal (DBD) as a possible option for final disposal of HLRW. This paper describes briefly the status of DBD in Germany and if this option is to be pursued in Germany. Although DBD has some merits, it can only be a real option if supported by research and development. The technical equipment for larger boreholes of the required size will only be developed if there is funding and a feasibility test. Furthermore, any DBD concept must be detailed further, and some requirements of the Act must be reconsidered. Therefore, the support of DBD will likely remain at a low level if there are no political changes.

Keywords: deep borehole disposal; Germany; high-level radioactive waste; Site Selection Act (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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