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November 2021
Deep Isolation News
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Here are the latest updates about our progress toward offering nuclear waste disposal options.
Newsletter Topics
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Deep Isolation and NAC International Develop Disposal Canister Design
This year Deep Isolation, in partnership with NAC International Inc. (NAC), developed a preliminary design for a drillhole canister for nuclear waste storage, transportation, and deep borehole disposal which would open up new options for managing the lifecycle of nuclear waste. (Pictured above is a 3D printed model at half scale, axially truncated.)
Preliminary structural, thermal, shielding, and criticality analyses were performed for multimodal functions (i.e., storage, transportation, and disposal) that factored in design-limiting conditions to develop a canister design capable of satisfying current regulatory requirements for storage and transportation and future regulatory requirements for disposal. Both U.S. and international regulatory requirements were considered in this design effort.
Each canister is designed to accommodate a single pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuel assembly, and multiple drillhole canisters can be stored and transported in higher capacity casks.
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Nuclear Getting Noticed Despite COP26 Cold Shoulder
At COP26 earlier this month the glaring absence of nuclear energy as a central discussion topic highlights the uphill challenge this clean energy source has in being recognized as a key player in fighting global warming.
Yet the recent flurry of media articles about the potential of nuclear shows there's growing interest globally among governments.
As Matt Bowen of Columbia University’s Center for Global Energy Policy said in a recent Associated Press article: “(Climate change) will be much more daunting if we exclude new nuclear plants — or even more daunting if we decide to shut down nuclear plants altogether… Nuclear waste needs to be dealt with, (but) with fossil fuels, the waste is pumped into our atmosphere, which is threatening us from the risks of climate change and public health impacts from air pollution.”
Please read our blog for a look at what's happening.
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In this episode of Nuclear Waste: The Whole Story, Tom Isaacs takes listeners on a fascinating, easy-to-understand tour of the history of nuclear waste disposal, from New Mexico's WIPP project to Yucca Mountain and current efforts in Canada, Europe and beyond.
And coming soon: Roy Payne of GDF Watch in the U.K. talks about how governments and communities can work together to make hosting a nuclear waste repository a badge of honor not a perceived blight.
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"I think there is hope. I think if you get in the waste business, you'd better be an optimist, but, you have to be a realist too. But if you're not an optimist, you're probably going to be unhappy."
— Tom Isaacs, former Lead Advisor to Obama's Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future
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We welcome your podcast ideas and feedback. Email us at podcast@deepisolation.com.
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Giving Tuesday, on Nov. 30, is a day when the world takes a break from holiday shopping and focuses on supporting worthy causes. At Deep Isolation, the fight against climate change is near and dear to our hearts, so we hope you'll consider supporting Berkeley Earth, the climate science nonprofit that our CEO Liz Muller and our co-founder and CTO Rich Muller founded more than a decade ago.
Your contribution will help Berkeley Earth continue its fundamental work of enabling people to better understand the science of global warming and air pollution and their interwoven relationships with major world events. Thank you for your support.
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Upcoming Events & News About Deep Isolation
 Nuclear seeks more permanent solutions for waste
Paul Day discusses the progress governments are making in finding permanent solutions for nuclear waste. Alongside mined repositories around the world, he also notes the value of borehole disposal options.
 Event, Mar. 6-10, 2022
Waste Management Symposia 2022
Deep Isolation will present three different topics on borehole disposal at WM Symposia 2022: "Developments in Deep Borehole Disposal Around the World," "Preliminary Technology Readiness Assessment of Deep Borehole Disposal," and "Implementing Deep Borehole Disposal: Study of International Stakeholder Views from Regulatory, Policy; WMO Communities."
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From the Editor
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.
If you have any questions about this content or any other feedback, please contact info@deepisolation. We look forward to hearing from you!
Best Regards,
Kari Hulac
Communications Manager
Deep Isolation |
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