Techno-economic analysis of nuclear-powered urea production with commercial greenhouse

This study investigates the potential of integrating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) into greenhouse operations and urea production to tackle rising energy demands and environmental concerns stemming from emissions in the food production sector. The research offers a comprehensive techno-economic assessment of a system utilizing SMRs to supply both heat and electricity to a greenhouse while generating sustainable urea fertilizer. The evaluation includes key metrics such as Levelized Cost of Urea (LCOU), Payback Period (PBT), Discounted Payback Period (DPB), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The analysis indicates a total capital expenditure of approximately 400 million USD, with the SMR representing 88 % of the cost. The LCOU is estimated at USD 1394 per metric ton, which is significantly higher than conventional market prices, leading to a prolonged PBT of 15.4 years and a lower IRR of 4.1 %. Sensitivity analyses demonstrate that fluctuations in urea prices and SMR capital costs significantly affect the system's financial viability. Despite the high initial costs, the SMR-powered system has the potential to reduce natural gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, thereby promoting long-term sustainability in agriculture. These findings emphasize how SMRs can deliver a cleaner, more sustainable energy solution for greenhouse heating and nitrogen fertilizer production, which are vital for supporting agricultural growth while minimizing environmental impact.