IAEA Workshop on Deep Borehole Disposal in Vienna
Dr. Toivo Wanne and Tilman Fischer at the IAEA premises in Vienna
During Tilman Fischer's presentation at the IAEA training workshop
From 29 June to 2 July 2026, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held a training workshop in Vienna. It focused on the value proposition of deep borehole disposal as a possible option for geological disposal. The workshop was part of a larger IAEA Coordinated Research Project on Deep Borehole Disposal that runs until 2027. BGE TECHNOLOGY GmbH (BGE TEC) was represented by Dr. Toivo Wanne and Tilman Fischer.
Various aspects relevant to the concept were presented and discussed in a series of presentations. Selected topics, including retrievability and monitoring, were examined in more detail in small groups. The introductory presentations also provided an overview of current developments in deep borehole disposal and of repository programmes internationally.
The results of the workshop are to be published in an IAEA document that sets out the value proposition of the concept and examines it critically. A draft of the document was presented and reviewed in small groups with a view to identifying possible improvements. The exchange forms part of the ongoing international discussion on possible disposal concepts.
BGE TEC's contributions included the presentation "Deep Borehole Disposal – Backfilling and Sealing" by Tilman Fischer. The presentation slides are available in the publication database on the BGE TEC website.