Core Power, Glosten team up to power US ports

Thursday, 30 January 2025

Core Power's floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) concept is for a nearshore infrastructure system that includes a barge-based nuclear power plant, barge support services, electrical grid integration, and operational teams. Easy to transport and rapidly deploy, the FNPP will provide an estimated 175 GWh of clean electricity per year. It says the FNPP connection will allow ports to achieve zero-emissions electrical generation for visiting ships, terminal cranes and equipment, and port vehicles.

As well as developing the design of the floating facility, Seattle-based Glosten will also establish a regulatory path for the barge, navigate site location approvals, and identify a potential supply chain network for the FNPP's fabrication, assembly, integration, transportation, and installation.

Core Power said the project is currently in the concept phase and is being designed with the intent to serve a non-specific port located in southern USA. Glosten is working closely with Core Power to perform risk assessments and develop the general arrangements for the barge which will house the nuclear reactors. 

"Nuclear fission is a well-understood and practiced process," said Core Power CEO Mikal Bøe. "It allows us to access an enormous energy resource safely, reliably, and on-demand without emitting greenhouse gases. Over 80% of the cost of nuclear power on land is in civil construction, with reactors and power systems accounting for less than 20%.

"FNPPs will be shipyard-manufactured and mass-assembled, ensuring delivery speed and low costs. Using FNPPs to power ports solves the electrification challenge and creates local energy security."

"The marine industry has experienced a massive push to decarbonise, and Core Power's FNPP offers an effective and practical means to meet that demand,” said Glosten CEO Morgan Fanberg. "Glosten's job is to turn Core Power's vision into a design that demonstrates the practicality of providing reliable, zero-emissions nuclear power to port facilities and has a defined path to regulatory approval.

"Our team excels at navigating complex regulatory environments to facilitate the use of alternative energy. We're taking a very thorough and deliberate approach, making sure we're performing the necessary risk-based assessments to maximise safety as well as considering the practicalities of implementation. In a way, the FNPP is our definition of the perfect project—in terms of what we can provide, but also because of the greater good it stands to achieve. We're excited to help Core Power realise their vision and help the industry progress towards decarbonisation."

Privately-owned technology and market development company Core Power funds and builds scalable new nuclear technology solutions for ocean transport and heavy industry. It is working to build a maritime civil nuclear programme in the OECD through scalable new nuclear technology solutions for maritime and heavy industries.

In November last year, the company signed a cooperative agreement with Westinghouse Electric Company to work together on the design and development of a FNPP using the eVinci microreactor and its heat pipe technology. They will also collaborate to develop a regulatory approach to licensing FNPP systems.