Tech giant Google has partnered with Kairos Power to develop seven nuclear reactors to power its ever-growing AI systems.
The company said in a statement that it’s to “accelerate clean energy transition across the U.S.”
Google coins the deal as the “world’s first corporate agreement to purchase nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors (SMRs),” adding that it is part of its effort for 24/7 carbon-free energy.
The partnership aims to have nuclear power totaling 500 MW by 2035.
So, what is an SMR?
Put simply; they are nuclear reactors that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) defines as having “a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit,” which, while generating less than your typical giant nuclear reactor, still produces much low-carbon energy – at a fraction of the size.
A low-carbon energy source was Google’s key message in its announcement.
“Nuclear solutions offer a clean, round-the-clock power source that can help us reliably meet electricity demands with carbon-free energy every hour of every day. Advancing these power sources in close partnership with supportive local communities will rapidly drive the decarbonization of electricity grids around the world,” the company said.
Michael Terrell, Google Senior Director of Energy and Climate, said: “This agreement is a key part of our effort to commercialize and scale the advanced energy technologies we need to reach our net zero and 24/7 carbon-free energy goals and ensure that more communities benefit from clean and affordable power in the future.”
Opinion: Embracing Nuclear Power is Essential for aCarbon-Fre Future
Tackling climate change is of the utmost priority right now. It’s a shared worldwide concern that can only be addressed by immediate action. The decision by Google to choose a nuclear option is key to achieving this. Companies that require vast amounts of energy are also pivotal in choosing options that can lead to a carbon-free future.
But why didn’t Google opt for, say, wind or even solar? While that remains to be clarified, what is clear is that there are limitations to certain renewables, like intermittency or dependency on weather conditions. This makes it very costly to scale. On the other hand, nuclear energy, particularly from SMRs, doesn’t have these limitations; it’s continuous and reliable.
And these aren’t the costly reactors of the past we’re talking about. SMRs are quicker to deploy, more efficient, and safer, with molten-salt cooling systems and ceramic pebble fuel to avoid operating at high pressures and reduce the risk of accidents.
If there’s a world of carbon-free electricity, it needs to accept that nuclear power will be a key part of the equation.
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