Publications

Technology readiness assessment process adapted to geologic disposal of HLW/SNF

Sevougian, S.D.; MacKinnon, R.J.

Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) is a formal process to aid in defining the remaining R&D needed to bring a new, complex technology system to full technical maturity. A geologic repository for high-level radioactive waste is a prototypical complex system, comprised of novel technologies and complex environmental conditions, but because it is intended to function passively and is comprised of both engineered and geologic barriers, the standard, engineered-system ("hardware") TRA process must be modified. Longstanding precedence employs a Safety Case (or Licensing Case) as the preferred vehicle for assembling all facets of knowledge to make a determination of repository system safety and deployment readiness. However, certain modifications to the established TRA process allow it to be applied advantageously in conjunction with the Safety Case. In particular, an adaptation of the established Features, Events, and Processes (FEPs) methodology can serve as a basis for a "TRA-like" maturity evaluation for various major components and subsystems of a deep geologic repository. The newly proposed Knowledge Readiness Assessment (KRA) process combines the best of both methodologies, i.e., of FEPs analysis and standard TRA evaluation, for establishing confidence in the post-closure performance of major repository components and subsystems.