In the United States, a significant shift is occurring in the energy sector as Natura, an organic farming company, transitions into the nuclear energy field. This transformation was catalyzed by discussions with Rusty Towell, director of the Nuclear Energy Experimental Testing lab, who highlighted the potential of molten-salt nuclear reactors. In 2019, the Department of Energy supported this initiative by offering fuel and salt for a test reactor, contingent on the construction of the reactor itself. Natura's leadership, including Phil Schubert and Jordan Robison, is focused on proving the feasibility of building a reactor system, with plans to have a test reactor operational by 2028. The company is also addressing the pressing issue of water pollution in the Permian Basin, where they aim to provide clean water solutions alongside electricity generation. This dual focus on energy and environmental sustainability positions Natura as a key player in the future of clean energy in Texas, with a commercial reactor expected to be operational by 2032. The implications of this project extend beyond energy production, as it seeks to tackle the global challenge of clean water access, which affects a significant portion of the world's population.
See inside the race to scale up next-gen nuclear to power the AI data center boom.