The Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory was launched 1986 for the main purpose of providing an opportunity for research, development and demonstration in a realistic and previously undisturbed underground rock environment down to the depth planned for the future deep geological repository of long lived nuclear waste in Sweden. An access ramp is now excavated down to a depth of 460 m below surface where experiments will continue in 1995. The work is presently carried through with participation from organizations in Canada, Japan, Finland, France, United Kingdom and United States.
Der Gedanke fuer die Erstellung des Äspölaboratoriums wurde 1986 geweckt. Der Zweck einer solchen Anlage ist realistisch Forschung, Entwicklung und Demonstrationen in einem unberuehrten Bergmiljö zu betreiben. Die Arbeiten sollen sich bis zur Tiefe des geplanten schwedischen Endlagers fuer langlebigen schwedischen Kernabfall erstrecken. Der im Bau befintliche Zufartstunnel soll bis 1995 auf die Tief von 460 m gebracht werden wo umfangreiche Experimente durchgefuehrt werden sollen. Am Projekt nehmen organisationen aus Kanada, Japan, Finland, Frankreich, England und der USA teil.
Les travaux de construction du laboratoire d'Äspö ont ete entrepris des 1986. Leur objet est de suciter une possibilite de recherches, de developpement et d'essai d'installation, dans un milieu stable et adapte, du stockage à long terme et en profondeur de dechets de l'industrie nucleaire suedoise. Un tunnel d'accès est en construction en direction de 460 mètres au-dessous du niveau de sol. L'experience va continuer en 1995. Ce travail est realise avec participation d'organisations canadiennes, japonaises, finlandaises, britanniques, americaines et française.
Production of electricity in Sweden is based mainly on nuclear and hydro power plants. The annual consumption of electricity gives rise to about 250 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel per year. By the year 2010, the accumulated amount will be some 7,900 metric tons. According to Swedish law, the owners of nuclear reactors are responsible for the safe handling and disposal of all radioactive Wastes produced. To meet these requirements, the four utilities that own the power plants have formed the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company Co. (SKB). Plants and facilities for the transportation of waste, temporary storage of spent fuel, and final storage of shortlived, low- and medium-level waste have been constructed and are in opperation. The system now in place will ensure safe handling of all radioactive waste in the country. Included in SKB's responsibility is the execution of a comprehensive programme for Research, Development and Demonstration. This RD&D Programme, SKB (1992a) is basically aimed at the final disposal of spent fuel in Sweden. To prepare for the siting and licensing SKB has decided to construct the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory. The construction of the laboratory, tunnels and shafts down to 460 m, Figure 1 and Figure 2 started 1990 after comprehensive bedrock investigations. Together with the excavation work, which has now (February 1993) reached a depth of more than 280 m, several investigations have been carried out.
SKB has decided to construct the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory for the main purpose of providing an opportunity for research and development in a realistic and undisturbed underground rock environment down to the depth planned for the future final repository. The main activities Laboratory goals for the RD&D in the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory are as follows: -Test the quality and appropriateness of different methods for characterizing the bedrock with respect to conditions of importance for a final repository. - Refine and demonstrate methods for how to adapt a final repository to the local properties of the rock in connection with planning and construction.