Summary of International Activities in Spent Fuel Storage

In 1986, nuclear power electrical generating systems in operation worldwide numbered 397 with a combined net capacity of 273 Gigawatts electric (GWe). This net production resulted in approximately 39 thousand metric tonnes of Initial Heavy Metal being discharged as spent fuel from these systems. The storage requirements for spent fuel discharged differ in each nation and are dependent on national strategies for fuel cycle management. The design of spent fuel storage facilities is a function of the type of nuclear electrical generating system adopted, and, therefore, the spent fuel characteristics. This paper summarizes the current international status of spent-fuel storage strategies.