A Turning Point for Deep Borehole Disposal: Reflections from Vienna

We had a great week in Vienna earlier this month at the IAEA Deep Borehole Disposal (DBD) Coordinated Research Project (CRP) annual meeting. Experts from nearly 20 countries, including Australia, Ukraine, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands came together to share progress and chart the next steps for advancing deep borehole disposal as a safe, practical solution for nuclear waste. 

I was joined by Deep Isolation’s Director of Engineering, Matt Waples, whose technical insight and experience added depth to our discussions and helped showcase how far our field has come. 

What struck me most was how far this conversation has evolved. A few years ago, the question was whether DBD could  work. Now, the focus is on how to make it happen. This meeting marked a pivotal shift toward DBD maturity, with several countries acknowledging readiness at near-commercial scale, or Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 7 to 8 for most technologies.  

It was inspiring to see so many national programs bringing fresh energy, data, and ideas to the table. The level of collaboration across research institutions, industry, and government was remarkable, a clear sign that the DBD community is growing in both depth and cooperation. The collective progress on drilling, engineering, and safety modeling shows that we are quickly moving from concept toward implementation. 

Throughout the week, we also discussed how DBD complements other disposal approaches. Each method serves a different need, and together they strengthen the global strategy for managing nuclear waste safely and responsibly.  

I left Vienna energized and optimistic. Deep borehole disposal isn’t just an idea anymore. It’s a global effort gaining real momentum.