The German P&T study – results and conclusions in the view of the contributing Helmholtz research centers


The German P&T study – results and conclusions in the view of the contributing Helmholtz research centers

Merk, B.; Geist, A.; Modolo, G.; Knebel, J.

The governmental decision to phase out electric energy production in nuclear power plants in Germany has put some questions on the future of the P&T research. The Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft (ministry of economics) and the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (ministry of education and research) have launched a study managed by acatech (national academy of science and engineering) in 2012 to answer these questions on a broad scientific basis. The major mandate was to evaluate scientific and technological as well as socio-economic challenges and opportunities of the P&T technology in the view of the phase out decision. The scientific and technological aspects of P&T are analyzed with respect to a possible contribution to the nuclear waste management using the following structure:

  • Starting point and boundary conditions – waste amounts and final disposal strategies
  • Definition and description of scenarios – possible ways for transmutation in the view of the phase out, European vs. national
  • Technological challenges of P&T – description of the major challenges to be solved on the way to industrial application
  • Current status of R&D – discussion of possible transmutation systems, current R&D status of P&T, development gaps, and future research strategy
  • Safety aspects – special safety aspects including all steps of the P&T cycle
  • International projects & competences in Germany – what is going on around the world and what can be served by the German industry
The socio-scientific, the ecologic, and the economic aspects have been analyzed in parallel using expert interviews, group Delphi, and independent expert opinions on economic, legal, and environmental aspects.
An overview on the results of the study in the view of the contributing Helmholtz research centers (KIT, HZDR, and FZJ) will be given with special focus on the political recommendations and the developed research strategy which has been proposed to the ministries.

Keywords: nuclear; nuclear waste; nuclear reactors; nuclear waste management; partitioning; transmutation

  • Open Access Logo Contribution to proceedings
    Actinide and Fission Product Partitioning and Transmutation 13th Information Exchange Meeting, 23.-26.09.2014, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • Lecture (Conference)
    Actinide and Fission Product Partitioning and Transmutation 13th Information Exchange Meeting, 23.-26.09.2014, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-20121
Publ.-Id: 20121