Beijing News Express (trainee reporter Zhang Jianlin) On October 13, the reporter learned from the State Atomic Energy Agency that the Beijing Geological Research Institute of the Nuclear Industry of CNNC was designated as the "International Atomic Energy Agency High-Level Radioactive Waste Geological Disposal Collaboration Center", which is also the first high-level radioactive waste geological disposal coordination center set up by the International Atomic Energy Agency in the world.
The State Atomic Energy Agency of China and the International Atomic Energy Agency jointly witnessed the signing of the Agreement on the Collaboration Center. Courtesy of the National Atomic Energy Agency
The reporter learned that the center will promote international academic exchanges in the research and development of high-level radioactive waste geological disposal technology and the design and construction of underground laboratories, increase joint research and talent training, and better promote the global research and development process of technology in this field.
International Exchange Center of Underground Laboratory for Geological Disposal of High-level Radioactive Waste in Beishan, China. Courtesy of the National Atomic Energy Agency
The safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste is related to the health and safety of all mankind. Zhang Kejian, director of the State Atomic Energy Agency of China, said that the IAEA should further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries in the field of geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, improve the technical level of geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, promote the safe and sustainable development of nuclear energy, and contribute Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.
According to Chudakov, Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Director of the Department of Nuclear Energy, the safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste is a major issue affecting environmental protection and the sustainable development of nuclear energy, and it is a problem that scientists from all countries are working hard to solve. The current internationally recognized solution is geological disposal in a stable geological body hundreds of meters underground.
It is reported that China has continued to carry out exchanges and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in the selection and evaluation of high-level radioactive waste geological disposal sites, the design and construction of underground laboratories, and the research and development of buffer materials, and has cultivated a number of scientific research backbones and professionals, so that China's technical capabilities in the field of radioactive waste management, especially in the field of geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, have entered the forefront of the world.
In June 2021, the Beishan High-level Radioactive Waste Geological Disposal Underground Laboratory approved by the State Atomic Energy Agency officially started, and the Beijing Geological Research Institute of Nuclear Industry of CNNC was responsible for design and construction, which will become the world's largest and most fully functional underground laboratory after its completion.
A three-dimensional perspective view of the underground laboratory for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste in Beishan, China. Courtesy of the National Atomic Energy Agency
Wang Ju, chief designer of the Beishan High-Level Radioactive Waste Geological Disposal Underground Laboratory and vice president of the Nuclear Geological Research Institute, told reporters that the Cooperation Center will share China's practice and experience in the field of high-level radioactive waste geological disposal technology by carrying out collaborative research, holding international conferences, organizing training seminars, etc., and provide a platform for in-depth exchanges and cooperation between China and the International Atomic Energy Agency and other countries.
Beijing News trainee reporter Zhang Jianlin
Edited by Feng Yajun Proofreader Li Ming