Google Signs Deal to Use Small Nuclear Reactors for AI Data Centers
Google has recently announced a groundbreaking deal with Kairos Power to utilize small nuclear reactors to power its artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. The agreement will see Google start using the first reactor this decade, with plans to bring more online by 2035.
The exact details of the deal, including the financial terms and locations of the plants, have not been disclosed by the companies. However, Google’s senior director for energy and climate, Michael Terrell, emphasized the importance of new electricity sources to support AI technologies.
According to Terrell, “The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies. This agreement helps accelerate a new technology to meet energy needs cleanly and reliably, and unlock the full potential of AI for everyone.”
Kairos executive Jeff Olson also highlighted the significance of the deal, stating that it is crucial for advancing the commercialization of advanced nuclear energy and decarbonizing power grids.
Before the plans can proceed, they must be approved by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local agencies. Last year, Kairos Power received the first permit in 50 years to build a new type of nuclear reactor, and construction of a demonstration reactor in Tennessee has already begun.
The startup specializes in developing smaller reactors that use molten fluoride salt as a coolant, a departure from traditional nuclear plants that use water. Nuclear power, which is low in carbon emissions and provides continuous electricity, has become increasingly attractive to the tech industry as it aims to reduce emissions while increasing energy usage.
With global energy consumption by data centers expected to more than double by the end of the decade, the use of nuclear power could play a crucial role in meeting these growing energy demands. Critics, however, point out the risks associated with nuclear power, including the production of long-lasting radioactive waste.
Google’s move to use small nuclear reactors follows similar initiatives by other tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, signaling a broader trend towards incorporating nuclear energy into the operations of data centers. As the industry continues to expand, the adoption of nuclear power could prove to be a key strategy in achieving sustainable and reliable energy sources for AI technologies.
