ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
Meeting Spotlight
2024 ANS Annual Conference
June 16–19, 2024
Las Vegas, NV|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
Latest Magazine Issues
Apr 2024
Jan 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
June 2024
Nuclear Technology
May 2024
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Commercial nuclear innovation "new space" age
In early 2006, a start-up company launched a small rocket from a tiny island in the Pacific. It exploded, showering the island with debris. A year later, a second launch attempt sent a rocket to space but failed to make orbit, burning up in the atmosphere. Another year brought a third attempt—and a third failure. The following month, in September 2008, the company used the last of its funds to launch a fourth rocket. It reached orbit, making history as the first privately funded liquid-fueled rocket to do so.
UWC Opening Plenary: Driving Transformational Change Keynote SPeaker
Chief Generation Officer and Executive Vice President
Tim O’Connor is Executive Vice President and Chief Generation Officer for Xcel Energy in 2020. He is responsible for all generation assets within Xcel and its jurisdictions nuclear, fossil, hydro and renewables. Responsible for enterprise supply chain and commercial operations which include fuels and energy markets.
Mr. O’Connor was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer for Xcel Energy in 2012. He was responsible for the Xcel nuclear strategic direction, business plans, finance, and operations for the company. That includes corporate, the operations of the Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear generating plants, and the decommissioning and nuclear fuel storage. In June 2012, he was appointed Vice President of Corporate Engineering/Nuclear Regulatory Compliance and Licensing for the nuclear fleet after 5 years as Monticello site vice president.
Mr. O’Connor joined Xcel Energy in 2007 as Site Vice President at the Monticello plant. He has over 38 years of commercial nuclear experience with both boiling water and pressurized water reactors. During that period of time, Mr. O’Connor has held a variety of senior leadership and executive leadership positions in several utilities and sites and variety of complex situations. This also included a position with the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) as a Nuclear Plant Evaluation Team Manager on a reverse loaned assignment. Mr. O’Connor received his mechanical engineering degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and has completed several executive business programs with the Chicago Kellogg School of Business and with GAP International.
He serves on the executive advisor group for the DOE/INL Nuclear Science and Technology areas, the Holtec Decommissioning Industry Advisory Group, NEI coalition of the Nuclear Strategic Industry Advisory Committee, NEI Chairman of the Industry High Level Waste Committee, USA Board of Directors and Terrestrial Energy Industry Advisory Committee. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Minneapolis St. Paul Jeremiah charitable organization for single mothers.
Last modified July 16, 2020, 2:16pm EDT
