Page 12 - Beyond Decommissioning

Preface xi

unfounded superiority complex: in turn this attitude made nuclear installations more
and more complicated and costly, and on the other side, scared the general public. By
recognizing that nuclear redevelopment has a lot to learn from the nonnuclear expe-
rience, this book aims to instill a sense of normality and humility into the nuclear
industry. The author feels that to see a true “nuclear renaissance” the nuclear industry
should be perceived by the public as little different from other forms of power
generation, and basically just “business as usual.”
Another objective of this book is to highlight that planned redevelopment of the
nuclear facilities and sites may facilitate the decommissioning process. In particular,
this report aims at refuting the common understanding of decommissioning (the
burden of liabilities and the destruction of assets) by highlighting a constructive view
(the keeping or regaining of assets, or the development of new assets). In this sense,
the book is promotional. It does not address any radiological or chemical contamina-
tion issues per se, for example, it does not describe numerical criteria for the release of
sites/facilities, while recognizing that such criteria deeply affect the redevelopment
options.
Structurally, this book first locates industrial reuse/redevelopment into the history
of human activities, with a focus on industrial operations and transition to closures.
Then the book establishes a baseline for industrial redevelopment, including the
understanding of basic concepts and definitions. Third, the various phases of redevel-
opment are described in detail, beginning from conceptual planning through analysis
of relevant factors, selection of alternatives, decision-making, detailed planning, exe-
cution of a project, and follow-on actions. The subsequent chapter is given to the
application of redevelopment as an innovative approach. Then the book highlights
numerous factors that affect the redevelopment of industrial buildings and sites.
Factors of success or failure enable developers, planners, communities, and other
stakeholders to anticipate the issues, benefits, and drawbacks attached to reuse pro-
jects, compare them and decide on a course of action. Based on experience, the book
also tries to explore how any difficulties encountered may be mitigated. A number of
individual projects are briefly discussed based on certain categories. Finally, detailed
case studies from the nuclear sector are presented and discussed in depth.
The ubiquitous, international character of post-decommissioning redevelopment
has been recognized in this book by quoting initiatives, plans, and facts from a number
of countries (see Table below).

Countries and related redevelopment projects discussed in this book
Albania Bunkers, tobacco factory
Austria Research reactor, mills, silos, chimneys
Australia Power plant, bunker, railway structures, harbor
Belgium Nuclear power plant, research reactor, water tower
Brazil Factories
Canada Power plants, industrial plants, research reactors, mills
China Bunkers, silos
Continued