• Topics
    • Work & Education
    • Circular Economy
    • Digital & Self-learning
    • Energy & Resources
    • Mobility
    • Technology & Society
    • Biotechnology
    • Innovation
    • Healthcare Technologies
    • Security
    • Topic networks
  • Publications
  • Projects
  • Dialogue
    • International Cooperation
    • acatech HORIZONS
    • Parliamentary events
    • Public dialogue events
    • Policy advice at European level
    • #FutureWorkDebatte
  • Events
  • Media
    • News
    • Media Library
    • Ask acatech
    • Subscriptions
  • About us
    • What we do
      • Mission
      • Guidelines for Advising Policymakers and the Public
      • Quality management
      • How we communicate
    • Organisation
      • Executive Board
      • Management Board
      • Members
      • Senate
      • Board of Trustees
      • acatech Office
    • Locations
    • Jobs (German)
  • DE
  • Topics
    • Work & Education
    • Circular Economy
    • Digital & Self-learning
    • Energy & Resources
    • Mobility
    • Technology & Society
    • Biotechnology
    • Innovation
    • Healthcare Technologies
    • Security
    • Topic networks
  • Publications
  • Projects
  • Dialogue
    • International Cooperation
    • acatech HORIZONS
    • Parliamentary events
    • Public dialogue events
    • Policy advice at European level
    • #FutureWorkDebatte
  • Events
  • Media
    • News
    • Media Library
    • Ask acatech
    • Subscriptions
  • About us
    • What we do
      • Mission
      • Guidelines for Advising Policymakers and the Public
      • Quality management
      • How we communicate
    • Organisation
      • Executive Board
      • Management Board
      • Members
      • Senate
      • Board of Trustees
      • acatech Office
    • Locations
    • Jobs (German)
  • DE

The societal implications of partitioning and transmutation research

Work on the Duisburg-Walsum CHP plant. At the Academy Day, experts discussed the prospects of achieving a sustainable resource supply in an era of dwindling raw material stocks and climate change. © acatech/T. Ernsting

Background und aims

Partitioning and transmutation refers to the conversion of long-lived radioactive nuclides into shorter-lived or stable isotopes. To date, the majority of studies on this subject have been technical or scientific in nature, focusing on the options for deploying P&T technology. If it becomes possible to use this technology on an industrial scale, partitioning and transmutation could help to reduce the volume of long-lived nuclides and thus the overall longevity of radioactive waste.

The permanent disposal of radioactive waste is a particularly controversial issue in Germany. However, it is also true that Germany possesses both the expertise and the technological resources to investigate partitioning and transmutation. Accordingly, we urgently need to take a position on this issue, not least in the context of the energy transition and the rapid phase-out of nuclear power. What could partitioning and transmutation mean for the permanent disposal of current and future radioactive waste in Germany? Which societal requirements and conditions influence public acceptance of partitioning and transmutation technology?

The project aims to provide input that will help Germany formulate a position in the partitioning and transmutation debate. One concrete goal is to produce a study containing recommendations that can serve as a basis for future policy decisions in the field of partitioning and transmutation. The study will set out the scientific, technological and societal opportunities and risks of partitioning and transmutation research, with the information on the technological aspects being largely based on the work of project partners. It will also assess these opportunities and risks and use the results to formulate recommendations for developing an appropriate communication and action strategy for policymakers.

Project group members

  • Prof. Dr. Heinz Bonfadelli
    Universität Zürich
  • Prof. Dr. Armin Grunwald
    Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
  • Prof. Dr. Helmut Jungermann
    TU Berlin
  • Dr. Roman Lahodynsky
    Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
  • Prof. Dr. Alex C. Mueller
    National Institute for Nuclear and Particle Physics
  • Dr. André Reichel
    Zeppelin University
  • Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Dr. h.c. Prof. E. h. Ortwin Renn
    IASS Potsdam

Further information

Partitioning and Transmutation of Nuclear Waste: Evaluation of Societal Implications

 

  • Project duration

    09/2012 — 10/2014

  • Partners

    • DBE Technology GmbH
    • Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) gGmbH
    • Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf e. V.
    • Karlsruher Institut für Technologie KIT
    • RWTH Aachen
  • Funding

  • Topic

    Energy & Resources

Publications

Cover of the publication Partitioning and Transmutation of Nuclear Waste

Partitioning and Transmutation of Nuclear Waste – Opportunities and Risks in Research and Application

Published: 27 August 2014

All Publications

Newsletter

Our newsletters (available only in German) keep you up to date with the academy’s current themes, projects and events.
Please click here to subsrcribe.

If you do NOT wish to receive our newsletters in the future, you can unsubscribe here.

  • Social Media




  • Academy

    • Topics
    • Publications
    • Projects
    • International Cooperation
    • Events
    • Media
    • About us
    • Locations
    • Jobs (German)
  • Legal notices

    • Imprint
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact

    acatech – National Academy
    of Science and Engineering

    Munich Office
    Karolinenplatz 4
    80333 Munich
    Germany

    +49 (0)89/52 03 09-0
    info@acatech.de

© 2023 acatech - National Academy of Science and Engineering