Liquid waste solidification consultation for TVO, Finland
In 2023, Fortum began supporting Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO), the operator of the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant in Finland, with the implementation of a new liquid waste solidification system. This initiative was prompted by the commissioning of Olkiluoto 3, which increased the volume of liquid waste requiring safe and efficient management. Under the agreement, Fortum provided expert consultation and developed a tailored concrete matrix “recipe” to encapsulate liquid waste while optimizing both storage efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Project background and objectives
Historically, TVO used bitumen solidification for managing radioactive liquid waste at the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant. However, the commissioning of Olkiluoto 3 prompted TVO to adopt a more advanced and sustainable approach. The company transitioned to cement-based solidification, reflecting its dedication to long term safety and cost efficiency. This method allows liquid waste to be encapsulated in durable concrete units, optimizing storage in the low and intermediate level waste (LILW) repository and reducing overall costs by minimizing the number of required storage units. Fortum played a key role by developing a tailored concrete matrix that maximizes the amount of waste per waste drum, while ensuring the long term safety of the waste packages.
Fortum’s approach and expertise
Fortum’s competitive advantage lay in its ability to develop the concrete matrix using actual liquid waste from Olkiluoto, ensuring the solution was precisely tailored to TVO’s operational needs. The project leveraged Fortum’s extensive experience in radioactive waste management, gained through similar work at the Loviisa Nuclear Power Plant. This expertise was a key factor in TVO’s selection of Fortum as a partner.
Collaboration with Fortum has been smooth and efficient. TVO has received prompt and professional responses to all inquiries. The working atmosphere has consistently remained positive, says TVO´s Project Manager Marco Steen.
Value delivered
By developing an optimized concrete matrix and providing expert consultation, Fortum has enabled TVO to transition to a more economical and space-efficient waste management solution. This supports TVO’s mission to produce safe, carbon-free, and cost-effective energy for Finland. The project also further strengthened Fortum’s expertise in nuclear waste solidification, providing valuable experience for future projects.
The solidification system is expected to be operational in 2027, at which point TVO will fully implement Fortum’s solution for ongoing waste management needs.
