Satisfactory 1.0: Nuclear Power & Waste Management
Nuclear Power is the ultimate energy source in Satisfactory, but it comes with a radioactive price. In version 1.0, Ficsit has finally provided the tools for a Zero-Waste Nuclear Cycle using Tier 9 technology.
1. Uranium Cycle (The Start)
Burn Uranium Fuel Rods for 2,500 MW each.
- Input: Uranium, Concrete, Electromagnetic Control Rods.
- Byproduct: Uranium Waste (Intensely Radioactive).
2. Plutonium Reprocessing
Reprocess Uranium Waste to stop it from filling up your storage.
- Step: Waste -> Non-fissile Uranium -> Plutonium Pellets -> Fuel Rods.
- Choice: Sink the Rods for 0 waste, or burn them for more power (creates Plutonium Waste).
Reactor Setup & Production Chains
Phase 1: Basic Nuclear Power (MW Scale)
For your first nuclear setup, you'll need approximately 5-10 reactors to power a large factory. Here's the complete production chain:
| Building | Input | Output | Power (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Power Plant | 1 Uranium Fuel Rod (300s) | 2,500 MW | Consumes: 3 MW |
| Manufacturer | 5 Uranium + 5 Concrete + 1 Electromagnetic Control Rod | 1 Uranium Fuel Rod (12s) | 55 MW |
| Water Extractor | Water | 120 m³/min | 9 MW |
Efficiency Note: One Nuclear Power Plant consumes 20 Uranium per minute (10 Uranium Fuel Rods/min). For a stable 5-reactor setup, you'll need 100 Uranium/min.
Phase 2: Plutonium Reprocessing (Tier 8)
When you reach Tier 8, you can eliminate Uranium Waste by converting it to Plutonium Fuel Rods:
Complete Production Chain
- Blender: 1 Uranium Waste + 10 Water → 1 Non-Fissile Uranium (6s)
- Manufacturer: 3 Non-Fissile Uranium → 1 Plutonium Pellet (12s)
- Manufacturer: 5 Plutonium Pellets + 10 Sulfur → 1 Plutonium Fuel Rod (24s)
Option A: Sink for Zero Waste
Send Plutonium Fuel Rods to the AWESOME Sink. This eliminates all waste permanently and provides Points. No additional power generation.
Option B: Burn for Extra Power
Plutonium Fuel Rods generate 4,000 MW per rod (vs 2,500 MW for Uranium). However, this creates Plutonium Waste, which requires even more advanced handling.
Phase 3: Ficsonium (Tier 9 - Zero Waste)
The ultimate nuclear cycle destroys Plutonium Waste using high-energy physics:
| Stage | Recipe | Key Inputs | Output Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Particle Accelerator: Plutonium Waste → Ficsonium | 5 Plutonium Waste + 2 Singularity Cell | N/A |
| Step 2 | Manufacturer: Ficsonium Fuel Rod | 1 Ficsonium + 10 Crystal Oscillator | N/A |
| Step 3 | Nuclear Plant Burn | 1 Ficsonium Fuel Rod (400s) | 4,500 MW |
Key Advantage: Ficsonium Fuel Rods produce NO WASTE. The cycle is completely closed.
Waste Storage & Management
Storage Capacity Planning
Proper waste storage is critical. A single nuclear reactor generates 10 Uranium Waste containers per hour. Here's the storage breakdown:
- Industrial Storage Container: Holds 1 stack (100 units)
- Small Storage Container: Holds 1 stack (100 units)
- Recommended Buffer: 20-30 containers for a stable 5-reactor setup
- Warning: Without reprocessing, waste will fill your storage in 2-3 hours
Handling Plutonium Waste
Plutonium Waste is extremely dangerous:
- Radiation Radius: 400 meters (visible as purple zone)
- Damage Rate: ~100 HP per second without protection
- Safe Distance: Keep all production lines > 500m from your main factory
- Lead Containers: Use the specialized Lead Storage Container (Tier 8) for long-term Plutonium Waste storage
Nuclear Safety Checklist
| Precaution | Reason |
|---|---|
| Hazmat Suit | Required for all personnel entering the 400m radiation zone. Without it, you will die in seconds. |
| Iodine Filters | Always carry 100+ filters. Dying in a waste zone makes corpse retrieval nearly impossible. Filters last 10 minutes each. |
| Isolated Grid | Keep your waste processing on a separate power grid to prevent a death-loop during blackouts. If the waste processing stops, waste will accumulate and kill you. |
| Remote Construction | Build nuclear facilities at least 1-2 km from your main factory. Use trains or drones for transport. |
| Emergency Shutoff | Install a switch to cut fuel supply to reactors. This stops waste generation immediately during emergencies. |
| Power Backup | Waste processing must NEVER stop. Install a small Biomass or Coal power plant for the waste processing grid. |
Advanced Strategies
The "AWESOME Sink Only" Strategy
Many players find Ficsonium too resource-intensive. The most practical approach is:
- Run Nuclear: Use Uranium for your main power (MW-scale production).
- Reprocess Everything: Convert all Uranium Waste to Plutonium Fuel Rods.
- Sink the Plutonium: Send Plutonium Fuel Rods to the AWESOME Sink.
- Result: Zero waste, no Tier 9 tech required, plenty of FICSIT Points.
Power Grid Load Balancing
Nuclear reactors respond slowly to power demands. Here's how to prevent grid failures:
- Base Load: Use Nuclear for your constant base load (never fluctuates).
- Peaker Plants: Keep Coal/Biomass for peak demands (e.g., during large belt startups).
- Power Shards: Use Power Shards to temporarily boost reactor output (if available).
- Buffer Storage: Install Energy Cells or Battery arrays to smooth out spikes.
Uranium Node Optimization
Uranium is rare. Here's how to maximize efficiency:
| Node Purity | th>Items/min (Mk3 Miner)Reactors Supported | |
|---|---|---|
| Impure | 60 | 3 Reactors (60/min needed) |
| Normal | 120 | 6 Reactors |
| Pure | 240 | 12 Reactors |
Pro Tip: The AWESOME Sink strategy is the most sustainable for 95% of players. Ficsonium is only worth it if you have a massive factory (10,000+ MW consumption) and need every ounce of efficiency.
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