Google is making significant investments in nuclear energy to power its data centers and support its net-zero goals. Here's what's happening ¹ ² ³:
- *Partnership with Kairos Power*: Google has signed an agreement with Kairos Power to purchase 500 megawatts of clean energy from small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). The first reactor is expected to be deployed by 2030, with additional deployments through 2035.
- *Advanced Nuclear Technology*: Kairos Power's SMRs use a molten-salt cooling system and ceramic, pebble-type fuel to efficiently generate power. This design allows for safer, more affordable, and efficient nuclear energy production.
- *Benefits for the Planet and Economy*: This partnership will help Google meet its 24/7 carbon-free energy goals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable energy production. Nuclear power can also provide reliable, baseload energy to support the increasing demand for electricity driven by artificial intelligence.
- *Multiple Plant Agreement*: The partnership includes a multiplant agreement, which will support technology development and allow Kairos Power to incorporate lessons learned as each advanced reactor is built out to support the 500-MW deal.
- *Google's Clean Energy Ambitions*: Google aims to catalyze projects that strengthen power grids and provide reliable, clean energy. This partnership is part of Google's efforts to develop and commercialize advanced clean electricity technologies to power its global data centers and offices.
It's worth noting that Google's investment in nuclear energy is part of a broader trend of Big Tech companies turning to nuclear power to fuel their data centers and support their growing energy needs ¹.
Source: Yahoo Finance