In the ever-evolving world of agricultural technology, a new player has emerged with the potential to transform how farmers access and use nitrogen fertilizer. Green Lightning, is pioneering an innovative approach to on-farm nitrogen production that promises to reduce costs, increase sustainability, and give farmers greater control over their fertilizer supply.
Good friend and founder of Green Lightning, Travis Potter, is a fourth-generation farmer and entrepreneur. Potter’s journey in agriculture began with organic farming in 2000, leading him to explore innovative ways to increase crop yields sustainably. He’d go on to found Tractor Beverage Company, which offered organic, non-GMO beverage solutions for foodservice. Then he turned his attention to solving the nitrogen fertilizer challenge. Green Lightning developed technology that produces liquid nitrogen fertilizer using only air, water, and electricity. The company moved its operations to Kentucky to be centrally located within 1,000 miles of 90% of U.S. nitrogen use.
At the heart of Green Lightning’s innovation is a process that mimics nature’s own nitrogen fixation method. Just as lightning storms create usable nitrogen in the atmosphere, Green Lightning’s machines harness electrical energy to produce nitrogen fertilizer from air and water. The company’s flagship product, housed in a shipping container-sized unit, uses a controlled electrical discharge to break the strong bonds of atmospheric nitrogen molecules. This process allows the nitrogen to combine with oxygen and water, forming nitrates that can be directly used by plants.
On-site production capability, allows farmers to generate nitrogen fertilizer on their own farms. One of the most significant advantages of Green Lightning’s technology is its potential environmental impact. Traditional nitrogen fertilizer production is energy-intensive and relies heavily on natural gas, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, Green Lightning’s process can be powered by renewable energy sources, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. Moreover, the company claims that its fertilizer can reduce nitrous oxide emissions by 2-10 times compared to conventional fertilizers, depending on soil conditions and application rates.
The company estimates that nitrogen production costs could be as low as $2 per acre, offering significant savings compared to traditional fertilizer purchases. By producing nitrogen on-site, farmers can reduce their reliance on external fertilizer suppliers and potentially insulate themselves from market price fluctuations. Additionally, the ability to produce nitrogen as needed allows for more precise application, potentially improving crop yields and reducing waste.
While the technology shows promise, it’s important to note that it is still in its infancy. Some challenges and uncertainties remain including how water quality issues may affect machine performance, potentially requiring additional water treatment in some areas. Also, long-term storage effects and optimal application methods are still being studied. Despite its novelty, Green Lightning has already attracted attention from major players in the agricultural industry, secured partnerships for field trials and is working to scale up production to meet growing interest.
As with any new technology, the true test will come as more farmers adopt and integrate Green Lightning’s systems into their operations. It’s been a pleasure over the years watching Travis’s passion play out in the ag space as he creates opportunities for growers to do things differently, save more money, and be a net positive for the environment in the process. We’re glad to welcome Green Lightning back to FARMCON, where you can stop by their booth to learn more. You can also click HERE to see PTI research farm’s initial findings using Green Lightning.
