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2025 ANS Winter Conference & Expo
November 8–12, 2025
Washington, DC|Washington Hilton
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Illinois legislature lifts ban on nuclear energy, funds clean energy
The Illinois General Assembly passed a clean energy bill on October 30 that would, in part, lift a 30-year moratorium on new nuclear energy in the state and create incentives for more energy storage.
Warren C. Lyon, Thomas S. Bustard, Adoniram C. Hiebert
Nuclear Technology | Volume 4 | Number 2 | February 1968 | Pages 79-87
Technical Paper and Note | doi.org/10.13182/NT68-A26333
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Use of a radioisotope power source coupled to a thermoelectric converter represents one attractive technique for filling the need for a long-life reliable electrical power supply in the range from 100 to 1000 mW. Reliable supplies that require no maintenance for 5 years are available. Existing systems weigh 400 to 850 lb and cost $12 000 to $15 000/W(e). Systems weighing <10 lb and costing $20 000 to $27 000 can be built using existing designs and technology. The radioisotope power supply is attractive for underwater power and other specialized applications where reliability, long life, low weight, or compactness is more important than cost. Radioisotope thermoelectric generators in this size range provide power from ≈$0.27 to $0.70/(Wh), depending upon the design. The design characteristics of five typical generators are described. They include 1-Wdesigns for oceanographic applications and a 300-mW design for an ordnance application. One generator is commercially available, while others are concepts. Characteristics of several other available generators are summarized.