.jpeg)
Google has recently made an announcement regarding the utilization of nuclear energy as a partial power source for its upcoming AI endeavors. Through a newly established agreement, Google will procure energy from "multiple small modular reactors" developed by Kairos Power, a company based in California.
Tech giant Google has entered into a partnership with California-based Kairos Power to harness small nuclear reactors for the significant energy demands of its artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
Reports indicate that the first nuclear reactor is anticipated to be operational within this decade, with plans for additional reactors by 2035.
However, the financial details of the agreement and the specific sites for the reactors have not been revealed.
This initiative underscores Google's commitment to exploring sustainable energy solutions to address the growing energy requirements of AI.
Michael Terrell, Google’s Senior Director for Energy and Climate, articulated the company's stance, stating, “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.”
As AI technology evolves rapidly, tech companies are actively seeking stable and dependable energy sources. The substantial power requirements of AI data centers are steering the industry towards nuclear energy, which provides continuous electricity with minimal carbon emissions.
Kairos Power’s innovative nuclear solution
Kairos Power, a startup focused on advanced nuclear reactors, has developed small reactors that utilize molten fluoride salt as a coolant, in contrast to conventional water-cooled reactors. This cutting-edge technology aims to deliver more efficient and safer nuclear energy alternatives. The collaboration with Google is viewed as a significant milestone in proving the commercial feasibility of nuclear energy in advancing clean energy efforts.
Jeff Olson, an executive at Kairos Power, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “The deal with Google is important to accelerate the commercialization of advanced nuclear energy by demonstrating the technical and market viability of a solution critical to decarbonizing power grids.”
Regulatory approvals are still required
While there is considerable enthusiasm for the project, the companies must secure approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other relevant local authorities. Kairos Power has already made significant progress in this area, having received the first U.S. permit in half a century to build a new type of nuclear reactor.
Construction has commenced on a demonstration reactor in Tennessee, and the success of this initiative is expected to facilitate future advancements in the field.
Google's collaboration marks a significant step in the tech industry's engagement with nuclear energy. In July, Microsoft entered into an agreement to resume operations at the Three Mile Island nuclear facility in Pennsylvania, which is known for being the site of the most severe nuclear accident in U.S. history.
In a similar vein, Amazon has recently unveiled plans to utilize nuclear energy to power its data centers in Pennsylvania. These initiatives underscore the increasing interest in nuclear power as technology companies seek sustainable energy solutions to meet growing consumption demands while minimizing their carbon footprints.
Additionally, the influence of digital technologies on Nigeria’s economy has been highlighted, with Google’s tools and services contributing approximately $1.8 billion in 2023. The recently released Nigeria Digital Opportunity report identified essential services such as Google Search, Ads, Google Play, YouTube, and Google Cloud as vital contributors to productivity for Nigerian businesses, creators, and workers.