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All energy sources have advantages and disadvantages. Nuclear power gives us electricity but doesn’t emit gases that could influence the climate; however it does create radioactive waste that if not managed appropriately could be harmful to humans and the environment. Many countries have benefited from nuclear power and therefore have a responsibility to manage and dispose of the radioactive waste so that it is safe for humans and the environment.

Long-term radioactive waste management usually considers final disposal in a deep geological repository. This includes an engineered barrier system working in conjunction with the surrounding host rocks to minimise migration of radioactivity. As the repository system evolves, gases may be produced, such as hydrogen from the corrosion of metals and from the radiolysis of water, and radon from the radioactive decay of some of the waste. If present, biodegradable wastes can also produce carbon dioxide and methane. Understanding how these gases move in a repository setting is a topic identified for further study. The FORGE project has been initiated to address key gas migration issues in repository performance assessment.