The cornerstone of the nuclear energy industry is ensuring safety throughout the entire lifecycle of the plants. The first key step in the process is carefully conducted site selection. The purpose of geological site selection is to promote the use of safe areas. Geological factors, such as the tectonic stability of the area, rock quality, rock type, geochemistry, and groundwater, must be factored into the assessment of long-term safety, especially in the case of nuclear power plants.
GTK offers geological site selection services for choosing a nuclear waste disposal site and picking a location for the construction of a nuclear power plant or other facility. The first step is to use existing research data to assess the general suitability of the bedrock for plant construction. After the assessment, a set of geological criteria is established based on international and official guidelines, and these criteria are then used to determine the sites that are most suitable for the planned activities. Finally, GTK collaborates with the customer and other operators to choose the best locations for launching the actual site investigations.
Selecting a site for a nuclear power plant involves multiprofessional co-operation of which GTK has unparallelled expertise in Finland.
Drawing on the research and project expertise of an independent expert generally promotes the success of the entire project. The project sectors can be specified according to the customer’s needs, but as a rule, geological site selection includes the following areas:
GTK has the necessary competence to cover the entire scope of site selection studies. Our services include studies in geochemistry, structural geology, and hydrogeology, as well as overall assessments. Our experts will also consider future climate fluctuations and their impacts on the selected area. We can determine the unique features of site selection in areas requiring extreme caution – safely and in accordance with the established requirements.
When selecting a site for a nuclear power plant, the location must be safe in view of reducing emissions and preventing accidents. Especially in the case of nuclear waste disposal, safety must be assessed over a period encompassing several generations.
Along with advancements in the field of small modular reactors (SMRs), the importance of site selection for nuclear power plants has become more topical than ever before. The development work in the field can be introduced in practice by selecting safe locations for both SMR plants and the final disposal of spent fuel. If the issue of disposal remains unresolved, SMR plants cannot proceed with the implementation.
Nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source in which emissions are limited to fuel production and the construction and use of the plants. As technological advancements are achieved, production is gradually approaching the zero-emissions level. Replacing fossil fuels with nuclear energy requires safe plant sites and safe disposal of nuclear waste. Furthermore, site investigations are also needed for the implementation of hydrogen storage facilities in bedrock.
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