Google Goes Nuclear: It Will to Use SMR Reactors for AI Data Centers

The proliferation of large AI data centers is creating a significant energy challenge. The issue is so serious that the Department of Energy (DOE) is looking into whether companies with large data centers that train AI models should install small nuclear power plants nearby to meet their energy demands.

If the DOE deems the nuclear option viable for addressing the energy needs of large AI data centers, the total contribution from nuclear power would need to be substantial. This plan, unsurprisingly, requires a significant investment. Microsoft is one of the U.S. companies seriously considering nuclear power to fuel its data centers.

This strategy would reinforce the nation’s commitment to energy sources that don’t emit greenhouse gases. What remains unclear is how much technology companies will invest and what subsidies the government will provide. Oracle, however, appears to have made its decision. Co-founder Larry Ellison confirmed that the company has already secured federal approval to build a nuclear power plant to power its upcoming AI data center.

Google Follows in the Footsteps of Microsoft, Amazon, and Oracle

Google has announced it signed an agreement with Kairos Power, a manufacturer of small modular reactors (SMR), to build seven reactors to power its AI data centers. The deal aims to generate 500 MW of greenhouse gas-free electricity as data center power demands grow. However, the companies plan to complete these SMR reactors by 2030—a timeline that raises questions, given the complexity of such a large-scale project.

Nonetheless, the future of fission energy is undeniably linked to SMR nuclear reactors. These reactors have been in development for more than two decades, with some designed to meet the principles and requirements established for fourth-generation fission devices. In fact, companies involved in their design aim to address the shortcomings of previous reactor generations in these new models.

As such, reactors must meet three key requirements: They must be sustainable, require minimal economic investment, and be safe and reliable enough to reduce the risk of reactor core damage in the event of an accident. To achieve sustainability, it’s crucial to extract as much energy as possible from the fuel while minimizing radioactive waste.

The start-up and maintenance costs of nuclear power plants should be comparable to other energy sources. In terms of safety, it’s vital that, in the case of an accident, no emergency measures extend beyond the nuclear plant’s facilities. This generation of reactors offers a much more attractive option compared to the second-generation designs that have proliferated since the 1970s.

More info | Google

Image | Kelly

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