Geologist Johanna Hansen's quarter of a century at Posiva

Hansen was finishing her studies in geology at Åbo Akademi University in 1997 when she was hired to work at Posiva's local office in Loviisa to cover a maternity leave.

- I had summer jobs at STUK and the Loviisa plants as a Radiation Protection employee. I've been told I said during my first study year that I was going to be a nuclear waste geologist, so I have clearly always been interested in this field, Hansen explains.

- Olkiluoto was selected as the site for final disposal and I arrived here in 2000. At first there was only a handful of us employed by Posiva. Later, as the number of personnel increased, Posiva's offices were relocated at ONKALO as well as to Vuojoki Mansion where I also worked for years.

- We were quite happy at the Vuojoki Mansion which provided a magnificent setting to work in. Although I must confess that once when working late at night on an EU project, I did think I might come eye to eye with the famous ghost of the Mansion. In the end, the "ghost" that made noises at the other end of the third storey turned out to be my colleague Timo Salonen, Hansen chuckles.

Ms. Hansen's area of responsibility covers various tasks related to the development of technical barriers for the final disposal system. Her job description also includes the development of the monitoring of the components to be emplaced in the facility at the operational stage (e.g., canisters, buffers, backfill, plugs, seals) as well as participation in the FISST monitoring project (Full Scale In Situ System Test). She is the system owner of some facility systems, too.

- I have been closely involved in the coordination of cooperation between SKB (Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company) and Posiva, almost from the start. The full-scale tests (FISST) were the most extensive of their kind at the time and demonstrated the feasibility and safety of final disposal in these conditions.

Diversity of workdays and interesting cooperation opportunities

For Hansen, the most rewarding aspect of her work is Posiva's role as a forerunner watched by the whole world. The turning of the first plans into reality in the early days of her career was an amazing experience. Posiva has made strategically wise decisions which other countries are now learning from. This shows that in Finland we move things forward efficiently and proactively.

- My working days vary a lot, sometimes I'm underground, sometimes in meetings, with occasional business trips abroad. My work also includes representation related to the content of the research programme and cooperation on a European level. Visits to ONKALO® also appear on my to-do list.

- Travelling for work usually involves trips to Europe, although these days we travel less than before. In 2019, for example, we could travel to Paris for a meeting that lasted a few hours. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more rational procedures were introduced and today we can visit also Paris virtually.

- The swift progress of our project has been made possible by the extremely wise strategic decision to build ONKALO so that it can later be a part of the final disposal facility and included in the licensing process.

"Forerunner role was not something Posiva strived to achieve as the company started to promote final disposal activities, but rather a by-product."

- We are forerunners, of course, but there is knowledge and expertise also elsewhere that has contributed to us being in this place now. Without the community engaged in final disposal efforts it would not have been possible for us to reach this stage on this scale, Hansen points out.

In her free time, Hansen participates in the activities of the Finnish Red Cross. Cycling and hiking in the woods with her dogs are a nice way to get away from the work mode. In the summer, she cycles also to and from work getting 30 km of exercise every day. At best, the odometer on her bicycle will show thousands of kilometres per year.

- Hopping on the bike is the best way to free your brain from work issues or anything weighing on your mind. After cycling, I feel refreshed both physically and mentally. As late as in October, I would still cycle from Rauma to a village store in Lappi for some small item, which was another trip of 50 kilometres.

- I am also a member of Olkiluoto Hunting Club holding the position of Vice Chairperson.

Hansen is not short of energy, whether at work or in her free time. Hansen's colleagues have also noticed her high energy levels and positivity. She was the first Posiva employee to receive the Olkiva honorary award – given every year to the person voted by colleagues as the most positive co-worker in Olkiluoto.

(Images and text: Natalie Kylliäinen)

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