Zwischenlager

Zwischenlager is a German term meaning intermediate storage facility, used to describe sites that hold materials temporarily while awaiting further processing, transport, or disposal. The concept applies in various contexts, including nuclear waste management and general logistics.

In the context of nuclear and radiological waste management, Zwischenlager denote interim storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive waste after removal from reactors or processing plants. Spent fuel is initially kept in cooling pools at reactor sites; when cooling capacity, licensing, or regulatory considerations require, fuel assemblies are transferred to dry storage systems housed in Zwischenlager. These facilities are designed to provide shielding, cooling, and monitoring, using dry casks or modular canisters placed in reinforced structures or vaults. They are intended as temporary solutions, typically for years to decades, until a final repository or reprocessing path becomes available. In Germany, safety and licensing are governed by federal authorities and the Atomic Energy Act; oversight involves agencies such as the Federal Office for Radiation Protection and the Federal Environment Ministry, with regular inspections and reporting on inventory, radiation, and security. The development and operation of Zwischenlager have been part of Germany's post-Fukushima energy policy, reflecting the absence of an operational final repository for high-level waste and the need for secure, regulated interim storage.

Alternatively, Zwischenlager is also used in logistics and supply chains to designate temporary storage facilities where goods are held between production and distribution, during handling, customs clearance, or transport handovers. They serve as buffers to balance supply and demand and can be located at production sites, ports, or distribution hubs. They typically include warehousing, inventory management, and material handling capabilities.