There’s a growing demand for electricity in the U.S., caused by the recent tech boom, and various entrepreneurs and scientists are stepping up to the challenge with innovative solutions.
With significant government contracts on the line, major firms are adopting a dual strategy: some are working on generating more electricity, while others are aiming to enhance efficiency.
Based in San Francisco, the Biological Computing Company falls into the second category, looking to leverage biological systems to boost AI technology. They were founded in 2022 and focus on creating brain cell cultures from rat brains or stem cells, which they stimulate electronically to observe responses. This data assists in refining existing AI models through advanced mathematical frameworks they call adapters.
“The brain is the best computer we’ve ever known,” said Jonathan Pomeranic, the co-founder and COO. “What we’re really doing is taking billions of years of evolution to apply to modern challenges.”
The company claims its first adapter for generative video models has achieved efficiency improvements of up to 500%, alongside better video quality.
Meanwhile, Panthalassa, based in Portland, Oregon, is innovating with floating data centers that harness ocean energy. Named after an ancient ocean, Panthalassa’s devices—resembling small spacecraft—float on the water’s surface, utilizing wave power.
Installed offshore where waves are strongest, the submerged parts of these nodes convert wave motion into electricity through turbines. Although these nearly 300-foot tall structures lack cables to the ocean floor, they have onboard computers that manage processing tasks and communicate results via satellite.
This design allows for environmentally friendly power generation by solely using ocean waves.
Additionally, the U.S. nuclear sector is experiencing a significant push, largely influenced by recent presidential actions. Since taking office, the administration has expedited processes to enhance the nation’s nuclear infrastructure, leading to rapid achievements by private companies.
Valar Atomics, only three years old, completed its first nuclear reactor in a mere nine months. “We aim to expand nuclear power safely and efficiently,” stated founder Isaiah Taylor. The company specializes in microreactors—compact nuclear installations meant for specific power needs rather than entire regions.
These microreactors function similarly to larger setups through nuclear fission, the process that splits atoms. Recently, Valar’s first reactor, Ward 250, successfully demonstrated a key level of operation necessary for generating electricity.
This reactor is roughly the size of an RV and can produce 100 kilowatts. It also incorporates safety measures designed to prevent meltdowns. Its smaller size hints at opportunities for mass production in factories.
Venture capital interest in Valar is robust, as evidenced by a $1 billion funding round led by Sequoia Capital in August. The company’s current valuation stands at $6 billion, and it is preparing to develop its first “gigasite,” where multiple microreactors will generate substantial power for data centers needed by the AI industry.
“It’s the American spirit that fuels these innovations,” added Bobby Gallagher, CEO of Deployable Energy. This company is among several new players aiming to reshape U.S. nuclear capabilities. Others include Antares Nuclear, Oklo, and Aalo Atomics.
Gallagher emphasized that nuclear power is now viewed as a viable product rather than merely a project.
And tech giants are on board. Companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta have committed to support ambitious initiatives that could position nuclear power as a primary energy source for AI.
However, the potential for profit may ultimately lie in nuclear fusion—a process that combines rather than splits atoms. While both fission and fusion are carbon-free, fusion offers far greater energy output per reaction.
Though achieving the necessary conditions for sustained nuclear fusion has proven challenging over the years, new developments indicate promising advancements. For instance, TAE Technologies recently unveiled plans to merge with Trump Media to create a fusion plant in the U.S., which could represent a substantial power generation site once operational.
“Fusion represents a significant opportunity,” remarked Dan Ives, a technology analyst. “China is ahead in this arena, so it’s a critical focus for American tech players.”
