_{Image adapted from Romolo Tavani, Shutterstock.}

Exploring how innovative nuclear systems require innovative waste management solutions

The new NEA Joint Project on Waste Integration for Small and Advanced Reactor Designs (WISARD) will focus on exploring how front-end and design phase decisions impact back-end strategies to support sustainable future nuclear systems.

Project Information

WISARD is an ambitious project which builds on global interest in innovative fuels, small modular reactors, and advanced reactor systems for sustainable nuclear energy. The project capitalises on the opportunity to integrate a sustainable spent fuel and waste management strategy from the very beginning of advanced reactor lifecycles.

The main goals of the WISARD project will be to investigate how innovative reactor fuels, materials, and operating schemes may in turn require innovative options for radioactive waste management in areas such as:

• Spent fuel and waste storage;
• Treatment, recycling or reprocessing;
• Transportation; and
• Disposal.

This will assess the back-end impacts of front-end and reactor design decisions, provide opportunities to avoid unnecessary costs by addressing possible future issues during the design phase, and publicly showcase a robust ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The WISARD project will span three years, with development of the project scope ongoing through 2023 and 2024 in collaboration with interested parties. Work is expected to officially start in Q1 2025 and progress until Q1 2028.

Joining WISARD

The NEA is looking forward to welcoming additional participants throughout the project development phase and interested parties are invited to contact the NEA for further information on the joining process.

Please contact the NEA Secretariat at: WISARD@oecd-nea.org.