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Google partners with startup for AI-powered nuclear reactors

Google partners with startup for AI-powered nuclear reactors
  • PublishedOctober 15, 2024

Google has secured a significant agreement to utilize electricity from small nuclear reactors to power its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. Under the deal with startup Kairos Power, announced on Monday, the California-based tech company will support the construction of seven small nuclear reactors, each capable of generating 500 megawatts of power. The first reactor is expected to be operational by 2030, with additional reactors to follow.

Michael Terrell, Google’s senior director of energy and climate, explained in a blog post that “new electricity sources are essential to support AI technologies driving major scientific breakthroughs, improving services for businesses and customers, and boosting national competitiveness and economic growth.” He added that this agreement would accelerate the development of a clean and reliable energy technology to meet those needs.

Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are reigniting interest in nuclear energy as they seek sustainable power sources for data centers, which are crucial to the growth of AI. Last month, Microsoft entered a 20-year deal with Constellation Energy to restore a decommissioned nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, while Amazon signed a deal earlier this year with Talen Energy for a data center in Pennsylvania powered by a nearby nuclear plant.

Data centers currently consume around 3% of global electricity, with demand expected to rise sharply as AI advances, according to White & Case. Small modular reactors are being promoted as a faster, more cost-effective alternative to large-scale nuclear plants, though the technology is still in its early stages, with only three such reactors currently in operation—in Russia, China, and India.

Kairos Power CEO Mike Laufer noted that Google’s involvement will help the company “advance quickly along the learning curve,” positioning the tech giant as more than just a customer but a partner that recognizes the innovation and potential of the technology. Founded in 2016 with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, Kairos Power aims to accelerate the development of nuclear technology with transformative potential for both the U.S. and international energy landscapes.

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