p 1 The Integrated Project NF-PRO Project scope and implementation Alain Sneyers FP6 Topical Meeting on Management of Radioactive Waste Brussels, July 11 th 2005 p 2 The IP NF-PRO Presentation 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 p 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 p 4 The Integrated Project NF-PRO NF-PRO: key project information NF-PRO Scope IP investigating key processes and their couplings in a geological repository for vitrified waste and spent fuel Starting dateJanuary, 1 st 2004 Duration4 years Consortium40 organisations Coordinated by Coordinator Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN Alain Sneyers EC contribution8,000,000 Total cost18,000,000 to 19,000,000 p 5 The NF-PRO Consortium CEA CIEMAT EC-JRC-ITU FZK GRS IRSN NRG NRI PSI SCK CEN Serco STUDSVIK VTT UNIVERSITIES, INDUSTRIAL AND GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS AND CONSULTANCY COMPANIES including SMEs ANDRA ENRESA (BGR) NAGRA NIRAS/ONDRA F NIREX POSIVA SKB Nuclear Research Org. RWM Agencies Other organisations NF-PRO Core Group p 6 The IP NF-PRO Presentation 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 p 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 p 8 Interacting near-field components and predominant processes Radiation Thermal Hydraulic Mechanical Chemical Waste matrix Canister EBSGeosphere Matrix alterationCorrosionAdvection/diffusion Reactions: colloid formation, complexes, secondary phases, gas formation, sorption deformation swellingCreep, fracturing Radiation attenuation Heat transport Water uptake p 9 NF-PRO: Underground Research Facilities taking part in NF-PRO Mont Terri HADES URF Olkiluoto GTS Bure sp HRL Tournemire p 10 The IP NF-PRO Presentation 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 p 11 NF-PRO: project structure, components and interactions Synthesis, integration and application for different host rocks and concepts RTDC 5 Process couplings and integration in Performance Assessment Integration Excercises RTDC 1 Dissolution and release from the waste matrix 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 Detailed understanding of key processes Clay Cement Ca diffusion CaCO 3 precipitation Dismantling of the plug of the FEBEX experiment (Grimsel Test Site, Switzerland) Fractured zone at the Mont Terri site (Switzerland) p 12 Vitrified HLW NF-PRO RTD Component 1: dissolution of/release from the waste matrix Spent fuel WP1.6 Synthesis and integration in RTD Component 5 WP1.1 Review and integration of previous R&D on vitrified waste and spent fuel WP1.4 Evolution of spent fuel in the normal evolution and early failure scenario and impact on radionuclide release WP1.5 Key processes affecting the alteration of the spent fuel matrix under repository conditions WP1.2 Experimental studies on dissolution of and release from the waste matrix and impact on radionuclide release WP1.3 Geochemical and kinetical modelling of glass dissolution and radionuclide release p 13 Conclusions on NF-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 p 14 The IP NF-PRO Presentation 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 p 15 Timeframe and different phases in the preparation of FP6 (First call) MarchThe EC launches a call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) SeptemberPublication of the analysis of the EoI 17 DecemberPublication of the first Call for Proposals MayDeadline for submission of project proposals for the first call 24 JulyEnd of evaluation, acceptance of proposals for contract negotiation August-OctoberContract negotiation NF-PRO 11 DecemberNF-PRO signature of contract by EC JanuaryStart of execution of work programme NF-PRO 129 EoI submitted 2 NoE, 2 IPs, 1 STREP on geol. disposal Definition of content and scope of FP6 projects p 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) p 17 The IP NF-PRO Presentation 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 p 18 The NF-PRO project management structure GB Policy and overall strategic orientations BE, FI, FR, DE, ES,SW, CH, UK, EC- JRC-ITU GA One representative per partner Amendments to the Contract Budget reallocations General Assembly Governing Board Chairman Core Countries Component leaders Scientific coordination at component level RTDC 5 Component leader Integration Excercises RTDC 1 Component leader RTDC 2 Component leader RTDC 3 Component leader RTDC 4 Component leader RTDC 6 Component leader Coordinator & Coordination team Coordinator Overall project management Scientific management Financial officer Legal officer/contract manager Executive Committee Coordinator RTDC Leaders ExCom Scientific integration Monitoring of work progress Implementation of activities (e.g. CAP, GAP, training courses) p 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 p 20 The IP NF-PRO Presentation 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 p 21 NF-PRO: Project lifecycle and contractual obligations Prefinancing Implementation plan Starting period Expert reviews Adjusted advance Detailed implementat.plan Det. impl.plan 1 st reporting period 2 nd reporting period 3 rd reporting period End of term report Activity report Financial report Activity report Financial report Activity report Financial report Activity report Financial report p 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 p 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 p 24 The IP NF-PRO Presentation 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 p 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 portalKnowlegde Management section Central access point to state of the art knowledge on the near-field Currently under development p 26 NF-Pro training NF-PROs first workshop was held in Spain (Escorial, November 2004) and focussed on integration aspects including identification of outstanding issues NF-PROs Second Training Course and Workshop will be held in Cardiff (UK) p 27 NF-Pro Communication Actoin Plan NF-PROs 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 p 28 The IP NF-PRO Presentation 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 p 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) p 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 p 31