Interim storage of spent extended-burnup LWR fuel

The existing data base for interim storage of spent water reactor fuel has been reviewed and is summarized. Relevance of current experience with storage of spent fuel to storage of extended-burnup fuel is described. There is no evidence to date that extended burnup will lead to degradation of spent, light-water reactor fuel during wet storage. The availability of well-characterized extended-burnup fuel assemblies offers a cost-effective opportunity to obtain additional evidence of spent fuel behavior in wet storage. Extending fuel burnup has a favorable impact on the spent fuel inventory: it reduces the rate at which spent fuel accumulates, which lowers the storage requirements. A disadvantage of extended-burnup fuel designs is their increased initial enrichment, which may necessitate changes in storage facilities or methods.