The truth behind Enron Egg, 'a nuclear reactor for the home'

The infamous energy company Enron is back in the news with the 'launch' of a product called the 'Enron Egg', a fictional reactor which it touted as the "world's first micro-nuclear reactor made to power home".

The announcement, made on January 7, 2025, marks the latest in a series of playful moves by the brand's new owners to come back into public domain. The fictional campaign has gone viral with the term 'Enron Egg’ trending on Google.

Titled ‘Nuclear You Can Trust’, the company introduced the product as the world's first at-home nuclear reactor, on its website.

In a humorous promotional video, Coonor Gaydos, as the Enron CEO, claims that the Enron Egg could power homes for up to 10 continuous years.  

Connor Gaydos is a co-founder of the satirical 'Birds Aren't Real' movement and is known for creating misinformation with fabricated evidence. In 2020, his company, 'The College Company,' purchased the Enron name for $275, according to reports.

On the website, the Enron Egg is described as a 'compact nuclear reactor that uses Uranium-Zirconium Hydride (U-ZrH) fuel rods to generate heat through nuclear fission,' with a closed-loop cooling system to ensure safe operation.

Before filing for bankruptcy in 2001, Enron Corporation was a major energy, commodities, and services company based in Houston, Texas. 

Founded in 1985 through a merger between Houston Natural Gas and InterNorth, Enron quickly rose to prominence, becoming a global leader in energy trading. However, in 2001, the company collapsed in one of the largest accounting frauds in history, leading to its bankruptcy and the imprisonment of several top executives. 

According to the campaign, the Enron Egg is a compact nuclear reactor that uses Uranium-Zirconium Hydride (U-ZrH) fuel rods to generate heat through nuclear fission. This heat is transferred via a 3D-printed Inconel heat exchanger, powering a turbine to generate electricity. A closed-loop cooling system ensures safe operation without environmental contamination.

According to one claim, "the integrated chip enables seamless 24/7 monitoring by Enron’s nuclear management facility, ensuring real-time oversight and unparalleled operational safety—anytime, anywhere."

The company adds, "the Enron Egg is significantly more affordable than traditional energy systems, which cost between $19,000 and $50,000 while being subject to power fluctuations. The Egg offers a reliable, constant energy source at a fraction of the long-term cost."

Despite the detailed claims, the company's website clearly states that the product is intended for entertainment purposes only.