Building Knowledge

Technical and Social Research and Dialogue

The NWMO will advance research to broaden its foundation of technical and social knowledge, bringing to bear the most advanced Canadian and international expertise to support implementation of Adaptive Phased Management.

A program that will evolve over a long period of time will have many opportunities to improve performance, enhance effectiveness, build understanding, and address societal concerns. A vibrant and robust research and development program will aid the realization of these benefits. Citizens and specialists alike have told us of the need for significant and ongoing investment in building knowledge so that Canadians will have the benefit of leading technological innovation and assurance that institutional memory and the technical capacity of the workforce to manage used fuel are not eroded.

The technical and social research programs are designed to meet the objectives described below:

• Enhance understanding to improve confidence in predictions, reduce uncertainty, and evaluate potential program improvements;

• Confirm performance during and after program operations;

• Demonstrate capacity to respond to citizens’ concerns and desires;

• Support mid-course corrections in response to new information or societal decisions;

• Prepare for facility siting, design, licensing, development, and operations, and transportation of the used fuel; and

• Assure human capacity to manage the implementation of APM.

The NWMO understands the importance of involving external parties in identifying research of relevance and interest. In addition to maintaining our in-house staff capability, the NWMO strives to develop effective working relationships with universities and the specialist consulting community within Canada.  We also take advantage of opportunities for collaboration and participation in joint research, development and demonstration programs internationally.