Google has agreed to utilize small nuclear reactors to generate the substantial energy required to operate its artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
The company has announced that its agreement with Kairos Power will lead to the deployment of the first reactor within this decade, with plans to introduce additional reactors by 2035.
The companies have refrained from disclosing specifics regarding the value of the deal or the locations of the planned plants.
In a notable shift, technology companies are increasingly adopting nuclear energy as a power source for the vast data centres that underpin artificial intelligence operations.
“The grid requires new electricity sources to sustain AI technologies,” stated Michael Terrell, senior director for energy and climate at Google.
“This agreement aims to expedite the development of a new technology designed to address energy requirements cleanly and dependably while also maximizing the potential of artificial intelligence for all.”
According to Kairos executive Jeff Olson, the agreement with Google plays a crucial role in speeding up the commercialization of advanced nuclear energy. It aims to showcase both the technical and market viability of a solution that is essential for decarbonizing power grids.
The proposed plans await approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local agencies before moving forward.
In a significant development, US regulators granted California-based Kairos Power the first permit in half a century to construct an innovative nuclear reactor.
In July, the company commenced the construction of a demonstration reactor in Tennessee.
The startup focuses on creating compact reactors that utilize molten fluoride salt as a coolant, diverging from the conventional use of water in traditional nuclear facilities.
Nuclear power, known for its minimal carbon emissions and ability to supply electricity around the clock, is gaining traction within the tech industry. This shift comes as companies strive to reduce their carbon footprints while facing rising energy demands.
According to a report from Goldman Sachs, a prominent Wall Street banking institution, global energy consumption by data centres is projected to more than double by the end of the decade.
John Moore, the Industry Editor for TechTarget, informed the BBC that AI data centres require substantial electricity to operate and maintain optimal cooling for their equipment.
“The data centres in question are outfitted with specialized hardware that demands significant power and produces substantial heat.”
During a recent United Nations Climate Change Conference, the United States aligned itself with a coalition of nations aiming to triple their nuclear energy capacity by the year 2050, a strategic move in the broader initiative to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Critics argue that nuclear power carries inherent risks and generates radioactive waste that remains hazardous for extended periods.
In a significant development last month, Microsoft secured an agreement to resume operations at the Three Mile Island energy plant, notorious for being the location of the most severe nuclear incident in the United States in 1979.
In March, Amazon announced its intention to acquire a nuclear-powered data centre located in Pennsylvania.
According to Somnath Kansabanik of Rystad Energy, the collaboration between Google and Kairos Power represents a significant advancement in the technology sector’s acceptance of nuclear energy.
