Nuclear Waste from Fusion Power Plants

Radioactive waste from fusion reactors is fundamentally different from that from fission systems, consisting primarily of tritium-containing waste forms and neutron-activated structural materials, with no high-level waste or transuranic elements. This presentation provides an overview of the applicability of national and international waste management frameworks to fusion-derived radioactive waste. It compares national and international regulatory approaches and standards with the German regulatory system and acceptance criteria for existing repositories. Emphasis is placed on the classification, interim storage and disposal pathways for low- and intermediate-level fusion waste. Based on some likely inventories and radiological characteristics, we present possible needs for fusion-specific adaptations to ensure consistency, safety and feasibility in future repository planning.