Feb 9, 2026 7:59:56 PM

Nuclear Reactors in Agriculture

Smallnuclear reactors can support the agriculture industry primarily by providing a reliable,non-carbon-emitting source of on-site electricity and process heat for energy-intensive operations, especially in remote locations. They can power various applications that enhance efficiency, sustainability,and food security. The potential to resolve the small farm crisis with this technology (see previous article) is very great indeed. Rural Energy Corporation plans to sell these reactors.

Key Applications in Agriculture

The key applications for nuclear reactors in agriculture are:

Fertilizer production: Microreactors can create fertilizer for the farm by extracting nitrogen and hydrogen from the air using the Haber-Bosch process.<2> The process heat from microreactors can be leveraged for bioconversion methods, such as gasification of biomass (e.g., corn stover) or hydrogen production, to create synthetic, zero-carbon ammonia-based fertilizers on-site, reducing transportation costs and increasing supply chain resilience.
Powering Indoor and Vertical Farms: Microreactors can provide the significant, consistent energy needed for climate-controlled indoor and vertical farming operations, enabling year-round food production independent of weather or geography and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.<4>
Bioconversion Processes:

The process heat from microreactors can be leveraged for various bioconversion methods, such as gasification and pyrolysis, to convert agricultural waste (biomass) into useful energy sources or other products.<5>

Biomass Processing: Process heat can also facilitate other bioconversion methods that transform organic waste materials into useful energy carriers or products like biofuels, ethanol, and the pasteurization of milk.<5>
Remote Operations and Resilience: Their small size, portability, and long operational life (operating for up to 10 years without refueling) make microreactors suitable for deployment in remote or isolated farming communities that lack access to the central power grid, replacing costly and polluting diesel generators.<6>
Integration with Renewables: Microreactors can serve as a stable, "firm" power source within a microgrid, balancing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like solar and wind to ensure continuous power for critical agricultural processes.<7>

Hydrogen production: Microreactors can power the process to create hydrogen, which is essential for producing synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals.<2>

Reliable, clean energy: Microreactors offer a stable, weather-independent energy source, unlike intermittent renewables, and produce zero-carbon emissions during operation.<1>

Backup power: They can provide emergency backup power for critical agricultural operations.<8>
Industrial heat: In addition to electricity, microreactors can directly supply high-grade process heat for industrial applications, such as producing synthetic fertilizers or powering desalination plants.<2>

Food Processing: Process heat and electricity can be used for food safety and quality control measures, such as the pasteurization of milk and food irradiation to extend shelf life and kill pathogens.<9>
- Water Desalination and Treatment: They can supply the necessary electricity and high-temperature process heat for desalination plants, providing a source of fresh water for irrigation in arid regions and helping to alleviate water scarcity.<10>

“What are some characteristics of microreactors?

Small, non-carbon-emitting sources of electricity and heat<1>
Fully factory built and installed on-site<11>
Easily and quickly shipped to and removed from site<1>
Self-regulating with high degree of safety based on the natural laws of physics<12>
Reliable and resilient sources of stored power<1>
Easy to operate compared to larger power reactors<13>
Capable of operating for many years without refueling<20>
Able to serve a range of energy applications
Can be integrated with other energy sources in on- and off-grid applications”<3>

Technicaland logistical advantages

Small footprint and portability: Many designs are factory-assembled and transportable, with a relatively small land footprint, making deployment easier for isolated agricultural complexes.<14>
Scalability: Microreactors can be scaled up or down by adding or removing units as power needs change.<15>
Passive safety features: Newer designs incorporate passive safety systems that reduce the risk of overheating, even in the event of a shutdown.<12>

Challenges

High initial cost: The upfront investment for microreactors is significant, and costs are currently higher for first-of-a-kind units, though mass production is expected to reduce this over time.<16>
Radioactive waste: Like all nuclear technologies, microreactors will present challenges related to the handling and disposal of radioactive waste. When the fuel in a microreactor becomes depleted, the reactor is sent back to the factory to be recharged. This is handled by a third party.<17>
Public perception: Overcoming the negative public perception associated with nuclear technology remains a significant hurdle for widespread adoption.<18>
Regulatory hurdles: The regulatory and policy landscape for new nuclear technologies is being addressed and can be obtained.<19>

Conclusion

The promise of micro nuclearreactors to solve problems on the farm is very great indeed. Thereare numerous ways in which they can save farmers money, which will inturn help to resolve the small farm crisis that rural America isfacing.

<1>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_microreactor

<2>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_process

<3>https://inl.gov/trending-topics/microreactors/#:~:text=Remote%2C%20rural%20communities%20in%20the,development%20through%20funding%20and%20legislation

<4>https://www.foodmanufacturing.com/facility/news/22926699/ag-tech-company-says-its-indoor-farm-is-powered-by-a-small-nuclear-reactor#:~:text=Ag%20Tech%20Company%20Says%20its,and%20very%20low%20water%20usage.

<5>https://docs.nrel.gov/docs/fy25osti/90110.pdf

<6>https://x-energy.com/reactors/xenith#:~:text=Introducing:%20XENITH%E2%84%A2,power%20output%20and%20enhanced%20redundancy.

<7>https://nanonuclearenergy.com/microreactors/#:~:text=Electricity%20Emissions,chemical%20processing%2C%20and%20materials%20fabrication.

<8>http://energy.gov/ne/articles/3-microreactor-experiments-watch-starting-2026#:~:text=Kaleidos%20MicrBackup%20poweroreactor%20(Radiant),of%20the%20Radiant%20Kaleidos%20microreactor.

<9>https://docs.nrel.gov/docs/fy25osti/90110.pdf#:~:text=Middle%20temperature%20processes%20are%20better%20suited%20to,use%20and%20aligning%20with%20global%20climate%20initiatives.

<10>https://www.nuscalepower.com/press-releases/2025/nuscale-advances-clean-water-and-hydrogen-production-with-breakthrough-research#:~:text=About%20NuScale%20Power,and%20other%20process%20heat%20applications.

<11>https://www.nucnet.org/news/us-portable-microreactor-developer-chooses-oak-ridge-site-for-world-first-factory-10-2-2025

<12>https://www.energy.gov/ne/enhanced-safety-advanced-reactors#:~:text=%E2%80%9CAdvanced%20reactors%E2%80%9D%20refer%20to%20a,the%20possibility%20of%20over%2Dheating.