Google signs a deal with Kairos Power to purchase nuclear energy from modular reactors. The goal is to be the first company to actively use nuclear energy as an energy source for data centers.

Google announces a new collaboration with Kairos Power in a blog. The technology giant has ordered seven small modular reactors (SMRs). The contract is the first of its kind in the technology industry.

The deal is expected to result in the first SMR becoming operational by 2030, with further deployment by 2035. The project will deliver 500 MW of carbon-free energy to US power grids.

Thirst for energy

Google is investing in this technology to meet the increasing demand for clean energy, driven in part by artificial intelligence. The company wants to guarantee CO2-free energy 24 hours a day and sees nuclear energy as a reliable source that can make this possible.

Kairos Power’s SMR technology, with its compact and modular design, is more efficient and safer than traditional reactors. By focusing on this technology, Google aims to not only power its own data centers with clean energy, but also contribute to a broader energy transition in the US. The endless energy hunger of data centers puts the energy network under high tension.

Economic benefits

In addition to the environmental benefits, Google also emphasizes the economic benefits of nuclear energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this sector provides the greatest economic impact of any energy source and creates thousands of jobs. Google and Kairos Power are working with local communities to support the adoption of this technology.

Kairos Power’s SMRs utilize a molten salt-based cooling system combined with an innovative ceramic fuel type. This offers an efficient and safe way to generate energy with lower costs and faster implementation. Google wants to expand this technology by purchasing multiple reactors at once to reduce costs and speed up adoption.

AI vs. Sustainability

Google isn’t the only major cloud provider looking at SMRs with interest. Oracle and Microsoft have also expressed intentions to purchase nuclear energy for their data centers. Google’s plans seem to be much more concrete.

They don’t come too soon either: Google’s AI push currently seems difficult to reconcile with the company’s sustainability goals. Does nuclear energy make AI more sustainable?