Final storage: ITAS investigates conflicting goals in the underground

Deep geological layers are gaining importance in the light of climate crisis and geopolitical developments. In a project launched by State Secretary Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, ITAS investigates how this affects the search for a nuclear waste repository.
Übergabe der Förderurkunde durch besuchte Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parlamentarische Staatssekretärin im BMUKN
At ITAS Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter (2nd from right), Parliamentary State Secretary, met KIT Vice President Stefan Schwarze, head of research group Sophie Kuppler, and Matthias Kautt, head of the Project Management Agency Karlsruhe (from left to right).
Das HErAN-Projektteam
The HErAN project team with researchers from ITAS, the Oeko-Institut, and the Swiss company risicare (Source: ITAS/KIT).

Geothermal energy, CO2 storage, or domestic raw material and energy production: the use of the deep subsurface is playing an increasingly important role for a variety of purposes. However, the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste has legal priority in Germany.

In the HErAN project (German acronym for “Challenges for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste in the deep underground”), ITAS researchers are now investigating the interdependencies and conflicting goals that could arise from this development as well as their impact on the search for a final repository in Germany. The project is commissioned by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).

Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the BMUKN, took the project launch as an opportunity to visit ITAS in February. There she learned about the diverse activities of the research group “Radioactive Waste Management as a Socio-Technical Project” and presented its head, Sophie Kuppler, with the funding certificate.

HErAN wants to contribute to the long-term safe and resilient disposal of high-level radioactive waste in Germany. It aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of possible interdependencies, anticipated areas of conflict, risks, and gaps in relation to planning, governance, and research by engaging with relevant practitioners.

To this end, the HErAN project team investigates challenges and uncertainties from a scientific, technical, legal, and ethical perspective. The researchers also want to identify planning requirements and develop approaches to a long-term governance for the deep underground.

HErAN is scheduled to run for two years. ITAS cooperates with the Oeko-Institut e. V. and the Swiss company risicare GmbH. (13.03.2026)

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