The Integrated Project NF-PRO Project s cope and implementation

1. The Integrated Project NF-PROProject scope and implementation Alain Sneyers FP6 Topical Meeting on Management of Radioactive Waste Brussels, July 11th 2005

2. The IP NF-PROPresentation outline • NF-PRO key project data and consortium composition • Project content and scope • The near-field of a geological repository for HLW disposal • Project components and structure • Proposal preparation • Project implementation • NF-PRO project management • NF-PRO project lifecycle and contractual obligations • NF-PRO consortium portal, training and CAP • Conclusions

3. The Integrated Project NF-PRO and FP6 • The Integrated Project NF-PRO forms part of the FP6 EURATOM programme on radioactive waste management –Action line: Geological disposal • NF-PRO investigates key processes and their couplings in the near-field of a geological repository for the disposal of vitrified high-level waste and spent fuel

4. The Integrated Project NF-PRO NF-PRO: key project information

5. The NF-PRO Consortium Other organisations ANDRA ENRESA (BGR) NAGRA NIRAS/ONDRAF NIREX POSIVA SKB CEA CIEMAT EC-JRC-ITU FZK GRS IRSN NRG NRI PSI SCKCEN Serco STUDSVIK VTT NF-PRO Core Group Nuclear Research Org. RWM Agencies UNIVERSITIES, INDUSTRIAL AND GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS AND CONSULTANCY COMPANIES including SMEs

6. The IP NF-PROPresentation outline • NF-PRO key project data and consortium composition • Project content and scope • The near-field of a geological repository for HLW disposal • Project components and structure • Proposal preparation • Project implementation • NF-PRO project management • NF-PRO project lifecycle and contractual obligations • NF-Pro consortium portal, training and CAP • Conclusions

7. The near-field: definition The near-field*of a geological repository for radioactive waste disposal consists of the excavated area of a repository near or in contact with the waste packages, including filling or sealing materials, and those parts of the host medium/rock whose characteristics have been or could be altered by the repository or its content. *Source:IAEA Radioactive Waste Management Glossary - Edition 2003

8. Canister Waste matrix EBS Geosphere Radiation Thermal Hydraulic Mechanical swelling Creep, fracturing deformation Matrix alteration Corrosion Advection/diffusion Chemical Reactions: colloid formation, complexes, secondary phases, gas formation, sorption Interacting near-field components and predominant processes Radiation attenuation Heat transport Water uptake

9. NF-PRO: Underground Research Facilities taking part in NF-PRO Äspö HRL Olkiluoto HADES URF Bure GTS Tournemire Mont Terri

10. The IP NF-PROPresentation outline • NF-PRO key project data and consortium composition • Project content and scope • The near-field of a geological repository for HLW disposal • Project components and structure • Proposal preparation • Project implementation • NF-PRO project management • NF-PRO project lifecycle and contractual obligations • NF-Pro consortium portal, training and CAP • Conclusions

11. Clay CaCO3 precipitation Cement Ca diffusion Dismantling of the plug of the FEBEX experiment (Grimsel Test Site, Switzerland) Fractured zone at the Mont Terri site (Switzerland) NF-PRO: project structure, components and interactions Detailed understanding of key processes Synthesis, integration and application for different host rocks and concepts RTDC 1 Dissolution and release from the waste matrix RTDC 5 Process couplings and integration in Performance Assessment Integration Excercises RTDC 2 Chemical evolution of the EBS RTDC 3 Thermo-hydromechanical processes in the EBS RTDC 4 EDZ initiation and evolution RTDC 6 Training & Knowledge Management

12. Spent fuel Vitrified HLW NF-PRO RTD Component 1:dissolution of/release from the waste matrix WP1.1 Review and integration of previous R&D on vitrified waste and spent fuel WP1.2 Experimental studies on dissolution of and release from the waste matrix and impact on radionuclide release WP1.4 Evolution of spent fuel in the normal evolution and early failure scenario and impact on radionuclide release WP1.3 Geochemical and kinetical modelling of glass dissolution and radionuclide release WP1.5 Key processes affecting the alteration of the spent fuel matrix under repository conditions WP1.6 Synthesis and integration in RTD Component 5

13. Conclusions onNF-PRO project structure and content • Key characteristics of NF-PRO • The project scope is very broad as it addresses all aspects relevant to the near-field • NF-PRO brings together multi-disciplinary expertise and research groups that worked largely independently in previous Community supported projects • Key factors to success of the/an integrated project • Integrate research efforts • Establish collaborations between the (independent) research groups working in the different RTD Components • The Integrated Project NF-PRO • Establish a coherent project structure and define links between the RTD Components • Establish mechanisms for collaboration and information exchange • Establish consortium portal as central resource for communication • Define common goals (consensus on outstanding key issues) and concentrate resources/research efforts • Organise targeted workshops • Draft of topical reports

14. The IP NF-PROPresentation outline • NF-PRO key project data and consortium composition • Project content and scope • The near-field of a geological repository for HLW disposal • Project components and structure • Proposal preparation • Project implementation • NF-PRO project management • NF-PRO project lifecycle and contractual obligations • NF-Pro consortium portal, training and CAP • Conclusions

15. Timeframe and different phases in the preparation of FP6 (First call) Definition of content and scope of FP6 projects 129 EoI submitted 2 NoE, 2 IPs, 1 STREP on geol. disposal

16. Proposal preparation:recommendations • Project definition • Top-down approach • Define first an overall project structure (define basic components/content) • Add content to the project structure and select/include the best available expertise • Selection of project partners and proposal negotiations • Define a realistic budget and work content • Select partners on the basis of their competences, field of expertise and contribution to the project (avoid duplication and redundancy) • Proposal submission • Opt for electronic submission • Easy file sharing between between consortium partners (EPPS) • Electronic version required for contract preparation (CPF)

17. The IP NF-PROPresentation outline • NF-PRO key project data and consortium composition • Project content and scope • The near-field of a geological repository for HLW disposal • Project components and structure • Proposal preparation • Project implementation • NF-PRO project management • NF-PRO project lifecycle and contractual obligations • NF-Pro consortium portal, training and CAP • Conclusions

18. The NF-PRO project management structure RTDC 1 Component leader RTDC 5 Component leader Integration Excercises RTDC 2 Component leader RTDC 3 Component leader RTDC 4 Component leader RTDC 6 Component leader General Assembly Coordinator & Coordination team Coordinator Overall project management Scientific management Financial officer Legal officer/contract manager Governing Board Chairman Core Countries GB Policy and overall strategic orientations BE, FI, FR, DE, ES,SW, CH, UK, EC-JRC-ITU Executive Committee Coordinator RTDC Leaders GA Onerepresentative per partner Amendments to the Contract Budget reallocations ExCom Scientific integration Monitoring of work progress Implementation of activities (e.g. CAP, GAP, training courses) Component leaders Scientific coordination at component level

19. Conclusions and recommendations on project management • Establish an effective management structure • The ExCom plays a foremost role with respect to project implementation and execution (e.g. integration, avoiding duplication, efficient use of resources) • Important delegation of responsibilities to the coordinator • Clear definition of roles and responsibilities of the different management bodies is fundamental • Consortium Agreement • EC funding for ‘management activities’ is limited to a max of 7% • Insufficient for support to RTDC leaders • Committed ‘unfunded’ RTDC leaders

20. The IP NF-PROPresentation outline • NF-PRO key project data and consortium composition • Project content and scope • The near-field of a geological repository for HLW disposal • Project components and structure • Proposal preparation • Project implementation • NF-PRO project management • NF-PRO project lifecycle and contractual obligations • NF-Pro consortium portal, training and CAP • Conclusions

21. NF-PRO:Project lifecycle and contractual obligations Prefinancing Implementation plan 1st reporting period Activity report Detailed implementat.plan Financial report Adjusted advance 2nd reporting period Activity report Detailed implementat.plan Financial report Adjusted advance 3rd reporting period Activity report Det. impl.plan Financial report Adjusted advance End of term report Activity report Financial report 2004 2005 2006 2007 Starting period Expert reviews

22. Project execution and contractual :recommendations • Period reporting • Large set of data required (progress of work and resource usage) • Short and strict deadlines (reports to be submitted within 45 days of end of reporting period) • Requirement to submit Financial Audit Certificates every 12 months • Deadlines extremely short • High cost • Difficulties with independent auditors – EC guidelines complex • Extreme pressure on coordinator • Recently, simplification of requirements (clause 39) • NF-Pro approach • Data collection and processing via consortium portal • Review of data at different levels

23. Project execution and contractual :recommendations • Assessment of reports and acceptance by the Commission • Review by the Commission assisted by external reviewers • Acceptance of updated ’18 months Programme of Work’ • Complex administrative process with long lead times • NF-PRO experience • Waiting for official acceptance of reports and revised “18 months programme of work” ‘Amendment to the Contract’ • Some partners may run short in resources (in particular SMEs and universities) when the review/acceptance process undergoes further delays

24. The IP NF-PROPresentation outline • NF-PRO key project data and consortium composition • Project content and scope • The near-field of a geological repository for HLW disposal • Project components and structure • Proposal preparation • Project implementation • NF-PRO project management • NF-PRO project lifecycle and contractual obligations • NF-Pro consortium portal, training and CAP • Conclusions

25. NF-Pro consortium portal • No tools/instruments adapted for EC IP-type of projects for management available at the project start • Development of a consortium portal http://project.nf-pro.org/home • Knowlegde Management section • Central access point to state of the art knowledge on the near-field • Currently under development

26. NF-Pro training • NF-PRO’s first workshop was held in Spain (Escorial, 23-25 November 2004) and focussed on integration aspects including identification of outstanding issues • NF-PRO’s Second Training Course and Workshop will be held in Cardiff (UK)

27. NF-Pro Communication Actoin Plan • NF-PRO’s CAP was submitted in June 2004 • The implementation was delayed due to shortage in resources and administrative workload at coordination level • External Web site will be launched in the second half of 2005 • Directed to a broad audience • High quality (not a collection of proposal texts) • Lack of guidance / common approach from EC

28. The IP NF-PROPresentation outline • NF-PRO key project data and consortium composition • Project content and scope • The near-field of a geological repository for HLW disposal • Project components and structure • Proposal preparation • Project implementation • NF-PRO project management • NF-PRO project lifecycle and contractual obligations • NF-Pro consortium portal, training and CAP • Conclusions

29. IP NF-PRO: conclusions (1/2) • NF-PRO is a FP6 Integrated Project investigating key processes and their couplings in the near field of a geological repository for vitrified HLW and spent fuel • All aspects of the near-field are covered by NF-PRO • Different materials, processes and their interactions (waste matrix, chemical evolution, THM, EDZ) • Integrated approach focusing on a better understanding of the total system behaviour • Emphasis on integration and applicability of results in PA • Added value • Strengthening scientific basis for waste disposal • Development of international consensus/resolving of outstanding key issues • Strong interaction between R&D organisations and implementing bodies (end-users)

30. IP NF-PRO: conclusions (2/2) • The mechanism of the IP represents a major change compared to previous Framework Programmes • The scale and ambition of the IP allows for the assessment of the total system behaviour of the near-field • The scientific and adminstrative coordination of an IP put most weight and responsibility on the coordinator • Key elements to success of an Integrated Project • Ensure effective communication with consortium partners (Web portal) • Establish mechanisms for integration • Adopt a phased approach with periodical reviews/assessments • Establish a ‘modus operandi’ (consortium + EC) to warrant continuity and to avoid ‘administrative impasse’ and obstruction