Nuclear power has had a bad rap for some time now.

There’s hardly anyone who hasn’t heard of Chernobyl or Three Mile Island, and the fear of leaking nuclear reactors has left the public shy about embracing nuclear power.

As an alternative, green energy companies promised that wind and solar would deliver a safe and efficient source of power. But we soon found out there are serious limitations to an energy system reliant on sunny days or the wind. Even when conditions are ideal, so-called “green” energy sources can’t power data centers, military bases, or whole cities.

Yet just when it seemed nuclear power was a relic of the past, new advancements have changed the conversation. Thanks to improvements in the field, nuclear power is safer and more efficient than ever. And now it’s even mobile. It’s known as a “small” or micro nuclear reactor, and it could be a game-changer when our energy demands exceed what the current system can handle.

Additionally, President Donald Trump is fully on board with recent developments in nuclear energy.

According to National Review, “The Department of Energy (DOE) granted approval … for Radiant Industries’ Kaleidos nuclear microreactor, which would be the world’s first mass-produced microreactor, making it possible to build and bring nuclear facilities online much more quickly. Microreactors could be constructed in a factory and easily deployed to remote locations to provide reliable power, much like diesel generators today.”

Furthermore, “Radiant’s microreactors are significant because they’re much smaller than traditional nuclear power plants and should be transportable in a single shipping container and capable of being installed in roughly a day.”

The ability to quickly move nuclear power to where it’s needed most is one reason it’s so appealing.

“The Pentagon and the Energy Department for the first time airlifted a small nuclear reactor from California to Utah, demonstrating what they say is U.S. potential to quickly deploy nuclear power for military and civilian use,” reports NPR. “The nearly 700-mile flight last weekend — which transported a 5-megawatt microreactor without nuclear fuel — highlights the Trump administration’s drive to promote nuclear energy to help meet skyrocketing demand for power from artificial intelligence and data centers, as well as for use by the military.”

Installing micro nuclear power reactors on military bases has many important benefits, including the fact that they’re not connected to the commercial grid. This frees up the grid for non-military uses while also making the small reactors less vulnerable to cyberattacks and other threats, such as natural disasters.

All branches of the military are considering the advantages of this emerging technology, including the Army and its Janus program.

The Army’s Communications and Outreach Office says, “The Army identified nine sites through comprehensive analysis and on-site assessment to identify optimal locations for initial deployment. The process evaluated mission-critical installations, energy requirements, and resiliency gaps, power infrastructure, environmental and technical considerations. These sites mark the first step in expanding national energy resilience through next-generation nuclear technology.”

“Microreactor power plants represent a significant technological advancement in safety, security, and waste management,” adds the Army. “They are safe by design, not by intervention protocols. The Janus Program is leveraging the Department of Energy and its network of National Labs to ensure the appropriate expertise is applied to the evaluation of proposed designs, operational plans, and emergency preparedness plans.”

As for commercial benefits, the possibilities are endless.

Nuclear engineering professor Aditi Verma explains, “This technology could benefit college campuses, remote communities in Alaska, primarily powered by oil and diesel, tech companies looking for reliable electricity for AI data centers, companies in need of high-temperature heat for manufacturing and industrial processes, mining operations that need a clean energy source and even military bases in search of a secure source of energy.”

It’s easy to imagine scenarios where mobile nuclear power could make a difference. Regions devastated by an earthquake or flood would have immediate access to the power grid. A grid failure due to cyberattacks or other threats could be remediated quickly by deploying microreactors, transported by plane or rail.

According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, “Microreactor units, which are only about one to 10 megawatts of power, can be transported by truck, ship, or military cargo plane during emergencies and are an effective, clean solution to removing the reliance on carbon-emitting diesel generators when disaster strikes.”

There’s a long way to go in relying on nuclear power as our main power source, but it’s clear that the current system isn’t sufficient to meet the needs of Artificial Intelligence, nor can it sustain cyberattacks or other threats. In recent years, there’s been plenty of discussion about our national power grid and its vulnerabilities, but green energy clearly isn’t the answer. As a result, the Trump administration is taking the right step toward streamlining micro-nuclear technologies and providing America with powerful, safe, and clean power.