China's Spent Fuel Management and Fuel Cycle Scenarios

Abstract

Although China's nuclear industry is relatively young and nuclear waste and spent fuel are not yet a major concern, China's strong commitment on nuclear energy and rapid pace on nuclear energy development call for analyses and strategies on China's future spent fuel management. This presentation first discussed the status of China's current nuclear energy program and future nuclear expansion. Second, it provided a review of spent fuel management methods and storage capability at China's current 11 commercial reactors. Third, this presentation estimated and calculated accumulated spent fuel and spent fuel storage required up to 2040 based on three different nuclear development scenarios. Last, policy recommendations were provided over the future spent fuel management which will reduce costs and proliferation risks.