Lunch & Learn | Tailoring the digital transition to the challenges of geological disposal in Japan

Based on the huge volume of raw and processed information (here grouped as “knowledge”) to be handled in a national geological disposal programme, it is no longer a question of whether advanced KMS will be introduced into radwaste management programmes or not – only whether such systems can be developed and implemented before total collapse of conventional approaches.
The Japanese decision to rapidly move into advanced KM was driven by the boundary conditions of the large and diverse nuclear programme, with special considerations resulting from required responses to the Fukushima Daiichi accident. In particular, imminent loss of many experienced staff as they retire leaves only a small window to capture tacit knowledge (a common problem throughout the nuclear industry).
The basic concept of the KMS under development is to structure knowledge according to the logical structure of an integrated “Safety Case” that brings together key pre- and post-closure safety goals together with closely related requirements, such as minimising environmental impacts and assuring public acceptance. The incorporated functionality supports synthesis and integration of material from diverse sources, identifying trends and inconsistencies, and providing feedback to data producers. It should assure the flexibility to cope with a rapidly-growing, technically-diverse knowledge base and the user-friendliness required to encourage its adoption. For these purpose, maximum use of advanced electronic information management technology is critical.
In this presentation, such development of an integrated digital KMS for geological disposal as part of NUMO’s digital transformation is illustrated and future challenges discussed.