Decommissioning Cost Estimates A Rational Approach, Employing a Validated Computer Code

Abstract

Decommissioning cost estimating is receiving an increasing amount of attention. Estimates prepared to date, as drawn from the publlshed literature, have displayed a rather wide variability, due, in great part, to the absence of a logical rational approach to cost estimation. This paper puts forward a suggested approach based on the Unit Cost Factor (UCF) method. It further suggests that computerization of the estimation process provides significant benefits and flexibility.The AECL-DECOM computer code for decommissioning cost estimation is described in the context of the recommended approach. Two case studies, the Gentilly-1 and the Nuclear Power Demonstrator Reactor decommissioning projects, are described, as are the efforts made to date to validate the code on these projects. A reasonably good correlation has been achieved and improvements have been made, based on the experience gained.It is concluded that a rational, validated code, such as AECL-DECOM, is tool for the preparation of reliable, decommissioning cost estimates.