In 2035, as you look out over the horizon from the American coast, you might see something unexpected: a fleet of floating nuclear power plants. No, that's not a typo. Core Power has just announced its ambitious plan to mass-produce ship-mounted molten salt reactors. A project that combines the efficiency of naval industrial processes with the safety of next-generation nuclear technologies. A revolution that could change the way we produce and distribute energy forever.
Molten Salt Reactors: A Technology from the Past
The history of the molten salt reactors has deep roots, dating back to the 50s. Unlike traditional reactors, which use fuel rods immersed in pressurized water, these 'alter egos' of nuclear engineering mix the fuel directly with molten salt at atmospheric pressure.
A design that brings with it significant advantages: they are compact, mechanically simple and are cooled mainly through passive circulation. But the real gem? They are not subject to uncontrolled nuclear meltdowns, a significant detail that will surely make future neighbors sleep more peacefully.
Maintenance is surprisingly simple: spent fuel can be filtered out of the salt mixture and replaced with fresh fuel as a normal routine. Although, according to Core Power, their reactors will not need refueling during their operational life.
A “Liberty Program” that looks to the future
The historical reference chosen by makes me smile Core Power: they named the project “Liberty program”, a tribute to the famous Liberty Ships of the Second World War, which were assembled in record time: just think, even just four days for a complete hull.
The plan is ambitious: use modular shipbuilding methods combined with Generation 4 reactor designs to mass-produce floating nuclear power plants. An approach that aims to overcome the current bottleneck in the nuclear industry: not so much reactor manufacturing, but civil engineering and the associated bureaucracy.
“The Liberty program will unlock a $2,6 trillion floating energy market, and shipyard construction of nuclear will be delivered on time and on budget,” said Core Power CEO Mikal Boe.
Mobility as a strong point
The most revolutionary aspect? Mobility. By installing the reactors on ships, they can be easily moved where they are most needed, avoiding much of the bureaucracy and environmental exclusion zones. And if the political climate were to change? They set sail for more welcoming shores. Not only that: their coastal location puts them strategically close to the areas of greatest energy demand. An interesting fact: 65% of economic activity takes place on the coast. Not bad for market positioning, right?
Maintenance also becomes more manageable: units can be returned to a central facility for maintenance or disposal, without the need to build specific infrastructure at each location.
An idea that is not so new
The idea of floating nuclear power plants It's not exactly a last-minute novelty. The first system of this type dates back to to 1967, and the reactors are installed on submarines and ships since 1954, With the 'USS Nautilus. Russia has taken up the idea in 2019, and in recent years both the Americans and the British have shown growing interest. But Core Power wants to take the concept even further: not just to mass-produce floating power plants, but to make them a common form of commercial propulsion.
The potential is enormous: In addition to electricity generation, these plants could be used for desalination and the production of green hydrogen for other energy applications.
Molten Salt Reactors: The Fast Approaching Future
The timeline is closer than you might think. Core Power plans to open orders in 2028, with first commercial deliveries in the 30s. The implications are enormous: we are not just talking about energy, but about a potential revolution in the maritime sector and global trade. As he underlined Boe, the Liberty program promises to ensure resilient energy security for heavy industry and ocean shipping.
I wonder if in ten years, looking out to sea, we will see these floating power plants on the horizon. An image that today may seem surreal, but that could soon become the norm on our coasts. The future of nuclear energy is taking off, and this time it seems that there is no storm in sight.
