Powering the Future: Three Energy Innovators for a $100 Bet
The U.S. stock market, riding a multi-year bull run, continues its ascent in 2026. Yet beneath the surface of broad index gains, a more nuanced story is unfolding. The real opportunity for long-term investors lies not in chasing last year's winners, but in identifying the durable trends set to define the next decade. One such megatrend is the urgent and growing need for reliable, novel energy solutions to power the infrastructure of the future—from sprawling data centers to cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
With that backdrop, here are three energy innovators, each with a distinct approach to the power problem, that might be worthy of a starter $100 investment for those with a high-risk tolerance and a long-term view.
Oklo (NYSE: OKLO): The Compact Nuclear Contender
Oklo is a pre-revenue nuclear startup designing small, advanced fission reactors. Its flagship "Aurora" powerhouse is engineered to run on high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), a fuel that allows for less frequent refueling. Crucially, its small footprint means it could be deployed directly adjacent to energy-hungry data center campuses. The company has passed key regulatory hurdles and has begun construction on its first demonstration reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory, targeting an operational date around America's 250th birthday in 2026. While still speculative, Oklo represents a direct bet on the future of decentralized, high-density power.
Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE): The Here-and-Now Fuel Cell Play
Bloom Energy operates in the present tense. It manufactures solid oxide fuel cells—essentially compact, on-site power plants—that generate electricity through an electrochemical process rather than combustion, using fuels like natural gas or hydrogen. With an established roster of blue-chip clients, Bloom is already generating significant revenue. Its potential growth catalyst lies in the integration of its technology into the backup and primary power systems for AI infrastructure, a move that could see demand—and its stock price—surge rapidly.
NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR): The Regulatory Trailblazer
Like Oklo, NuScale is in the small modular reactor (SMR) space but holds a key advantage: it already has U.S. regulatory approval for its reactor design. This first-mover status is significant, though the company has yet to secure its first commercial customer. It is involved in several advanced project discussions that could lead to real-world deployment. The path forward, however, is complex and capital-intensive, with costs and supply chain dynamics around uranium remaining variable. Growth here is likely to be lumpy, not smooth.
Analyst & Investor Commentary:
"These companies are at the frontier of solving a critical bottleneck," says Michael Chen, a portfolio manager at Horizon Capital. "For investors who can stomach volatility, they offer pure-play exposure to the energy transition's next chapter."
"Bloom is the only one with real revenue and customers. The others are science projects with PowerPoint presentations," argues Sarah Jenkins, an independent energy analyst known for her blunt takes. "Throwing $100 at Oklo or NuScale today is less an investment and more a donation to nuclear R&D."
"The regulatory win for NuScale can't be overstated," notes David Park, a retired engineer turned retail investor. "It removes a massive hurdle. The question now is execution and economics."
Disclosure: The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bloom Energy and recommends NuScale Power. This article is for informational purposes and is not personalized financial advice.