The Port of Long Beach is partnering with a nuclear startup to deploy small modular reactors on floating barges, a move designed to provide clean, reliable power for the port's operations and potentially help solve the energy crisis fueling artificial intelligence's explosive growth. Bluecore Energy, founded by 31-year-old entrepreneur Kofi Asante, has raised $10 million and begun development of these compact nuclear systems at a 10,000-square-foot warehouse inside the port.

Why Is a Port Building Nuclear Power Plants?

The Port of Long Beach, America's second-largest port, faces a dual challenge: it wants to double its container volume by 2050 while eliminating its carbon emissions entirely. Traditional power sources cannot reliably meet this demand, especially as artificial intelligence and data centers drive unprecedented electricity consumption across the region. The partnership with Bluecore Energy represents an unconventional but increasingly serious attempt to solve what industry experts call the "energy bottleneck" for AI infrastructure.

Small modular reactors, or SMRs, are fundamentally different from the massive nuclear plants most people imagine. These compact systems use nuclear fission to generate heat that converts to electricity, but their smaller size makes them easier to cool and shut down in emergencies. They can be manufactured in factories rather than built on-site, which reduces construction time and improves quality control. Roughly 50 companies worldwide are developing SMR technology, mostly in the United States, according to Adam Stein, director of nuclear energy and innovation at the Breakthrough Institute.

"Everybody needs more energy, and there just isn't enough to go around. We want to democratize access to clean energy and feel like this is a way of being able to do that quickly and safely," said Kofi Asante, founder and chief executive of Bluecore Energy.

Kofi Asante, Founder and CEO, Bluecore Energy

Bluecore's vision involves anchoring floating reactors miles offshore, with undersea cables carrying electricity to the port's facilities, charging stations, and equipment. This approach preserves one of the port's scarcest resources: land. The company envisions reactors that could eventually produce the equivalent of 15,000 homes' worth of electricity.

How Do Floating Nuclear Reactors Actually Work and Stay Safe?

The military has operated small nuclear reactors aboard submarines and aircraft carriers for decades, providing a proven track record of safety in confined, mobile environments. The U.S. Army recently unveiled plans to deploy nuclear microreactors at five military bases from New York to Texas, signaling growing confidence in the technology. Bluecore's approach builds on this established expertise, adapting submarine reactor technology for stationary, floating power generation.

Safety features of small modular reactors include their compact design, which makes them inherently easier to manage during emergencies. Unlike massive conventional reactors, SMRs can be cooled more efficiently and shut down faster if problems arise. Their modular nature also means multiple units can be connected together to scale power output as needed.

However, critics raise legitimate concerns. Some worry about the cost-effectiveness of nuclear energy and point to risks from natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods. Alan J. Kuperman, a professor and coordinator of the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Project, told the Associated Press that reactors are uneconomical, and his organization is concerned about the spread of nuclear weapons. The Union of Concerned Scientists has also raised flags about safety and security, noting that "accidents aren't the only potential threat to nuclear facilities. A successful terrorist attack could kill, sicken, or displace large numbers of people and cause extensive long-term environmental contamination".

What Regulatory Hurdles Must Bluecore Clear?

No small modular reactors are currently supplying power to the commercial electric grid in the United States, despite decades of development. This means Bluecore faces a complex regulatory gauntlet before its first reactor can operate. Federal regulators, maritime agencies, and Long Beach officials are currently crafting safety and oversight rules, with officials pledging transparent public engagement.

Port Chief Executive Noel Hacegaba emphasized that the project will prioritize safety at every stage. "Nothing can move forward without federal approval in a public process," he stated. "This community has held us accountable on air quality and safety for two decades, and we will keep the public informed".

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission oversees all commercial nuclear-related projects in the United States. Bluecore will need to demonstrate that its design meets rigorous safety standards, that its manufacturing processes are reliable, and that its operational procedures protect workers and the public. This process typically takes years, meaning significant sales for Bluecore remain far in the future.

Steps to Understanding the SMR Regulatory Path

• Design Certification: The company must submit detailed technical designs to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which reviews every aspect of the reactor's safety systems, materials, and operational procedures.
• Manufacturing Inspection: Regulators inspect the factory where reactors are built to ensure quality control and compliance with nuclear standards, a process that can take months or years.
• Site-Specific Approval: For the Port of Long Beach location, federal agencies must evaluate maritime safety, environmental impacts, and emergency response procedures specific to the floating barge deployment.
• Public Comment Periods: Federal law requires opportunities for public input on nuclear projects, allowing Long Beach residents and environmental groups to raise concerns and ask questions.
• Operational Licensing: Once construction is complete, the NRC must issue an operating license before the reactor can generate power commercially.

How Does This Fit Into the Broader AI Energy Landscape?

The Trump administration has signaled strong support for nuclear expansion, announcing $17.5 billion in loans for 10 new large nuclear reactors. Energy Secretary Chris Wright cited "tremendous interest" among data center developers that would purchase the power, as well as utilities and energy companies. This federal backing creates a favorable environment for companies like Bluecore, though it does not guarantee success.

The competitive landscape for SMR development is intensifying. NuScale Power, another major SMR developer, remains the only company to have received design certification from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. However, NuScale has not yet delivered a single power module to a customer and reported a net loss of close to $356 million in fiscal 2025. Bloom Energy, a different type of clean energy company using solid oxide fuel cell technology, has already achieved significant commercial traction, with revenue reaching more than $2 billion in fiscal 2025 and expected to leap to $3.75 billion in fiscal 2026.

Bluecore's advantage lies in its focus on a specific, high-demand market: ports and data centers that need reliable, carbon-free power. The company's team includes veterans from SpaceX, Rivian, Northrop Grumman, and the U.S. Navy, bringing aerospace and defense expertise to nuclear engineering. This combination of talent and targeted market focus distinguishes Bluecore from other SMR developers still years away from commercial deployment.

The path forward remains uncertain. It will likely be years before Bluecore receives regulatory approval and deploys its first floating reactor. Yet the Port of Long Beach's willingness to partner with a nuclear startup signals a fundamental shift in how major infrastructure operators view the energy crisis. As artificial intelligence continues to consume ever-larger amounts of electricity, solutions like floating nuclear plants may transition from speculative to necessary.