Zeno Power and DOE Team Up to Revitalize Radioisotope Power Technology for Strategic Domains

Zeno Power and DOE Team Up to Revitalize Radioisotope Power Technology for Strategic Domains
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 30, 2024

Zeno Power, a pioneer in the field of radioisotope power systems (RPSs), has recently announced a significant advancement in its technology. The company has secured a supply of Strontium-90 (Sr-90) material from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to fuel its initial full-scale RPSs, marking a notable milestone in the pursuit of reliable and clean energy solutions for national security and space exploration missions.

The utilization of Sr-90, a byproduct of nuclear fission, for RPSs is a well-established practice. However, Zeno Power's novel approach focuses on improving the specific power output of these systems, a critical factor in broadening their applicability. Traditionally, the weight of RPSs limited their use, but Zeno's innovative design promises broader deployment, particularly in strategic domains such as space, the Arctic, and the seabed.

Zeno Power's collaboration with the DOE is centered around the recycling of a legacy Sr-90 RPS - the BUP-500, which has been in storage at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for almost four decades. This partnership, involving the DOE's Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM), signifies a proactive approach to utilizing existing resources while reducing taxpayer liabilities.

Tyler Bernstein, Co-Founder and CEO of Zeno Power, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: "This innovative partnership will transform legacy byproduct material - a taxpayer liability - into a clean energy asset that will advance national security and scientific missions. We've now demonstrated the core building block of our technology and secured our initial fuel supply chain - positioning us as the clear leader to commercialize RPS technology."

The company's advancement was further validated in October 2023 with a successful demonstration of its first Sr-90 heat source at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. This event confirmed Zeno's patented innovation in increasing the specific power (Wth/kg) of its Sr-90 heat source, compared to historical models.

Harsh S. Desai, Zeno's Chief Commercialization Officer, encapsulated the essence of this partnership: "The theme of this partnership with DOE is Reduce, Recycle and Revitalize: we're reducing a DOE liability, recycling nuclear material for beneficial re-use, and revitalizing Sr-90 RPS technology for 21st-century applications."

Zeno's contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and NASA, valued at over $40 million, are set to be fulfilled using these newly developed RPSs. These systems are expected to enable critical operations in challenging environments, addressing the pressing need for reliable power sources in increasingly strategic domains.

A commemorative event is scheduled to take place in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on January 26th, bringing together community leaders, officials representing DOE, DOD, NASA, and various other stakeholders. This event will not only celebrate the partnership but also mark a significant step forward in the commercialization of RPS technology, with Zeno Power aiming for broad commercialization by 2026.

Zeno Power's collaboration with the DOE and its innovative approach to enhancing the efficiency of Sr-90 based RPSs represent a fresh chapter in clean energy technology. This development holds promise for a wide range of applications, from national security missions to space exploration, underlining the potential of RPS technology in the 21st century.