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In a landmark agreement, Google has committed to purchasing energy from a series of mini nuclear reactors to meet the growing power demands of artificial intelligence technologies. The tech giant has secured six to seven small modular reactors (SMRs) from Kairos Power, a California-based company. The first reactor is slated for completion in 2030, with the remaining units expected to be operational by 2035.
Google aims to leverage nuclear energy as a sustainable, low-carbon solution for powering its datacentres, which consume vast amounts of electricity. The company, a subsidiary of Alphabet, emphasized that nuclear energy provides “a clean, reliable, round-the-clock power source” essential for meeting rising electricity needs.
The surge in AI-driven innovations, alongside increasing cloud storage demands, has dramatically raised energy consumption within the tech industry. Following similar trends, Microsoft recently secured power from the Three Mile Island plant, reactivating the site for the first time in five years. Earlier this year, Amazon also acquired a nuclear-powered datacentre from Talen Energy.
Though the locations of the planned reactors and the financial terms remain undisclosed, Google has committed to purchasing 500 megawatts of power from Kairos Power. Founded in 2016, Kairos is currently developing a demonstration reactor in Tennessee, projected to be completed by 2027.
Michael Terrell, Google’s senior director for energy and climate, remarked: “The grid requires new energy sources to support AI advancements driving scientific breakthroughs, enhancing business services, and boosting national competitiveness. This agreement accelerates the deployment of innovative energy technologies to meet these needs sustainably while unlocking AI’s full potential for society.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technol...buy-nuclear-power-ai-datacentres-kairos-power
Google aims to leverage nuclear energy as a sustainable, low-carbon solution for powering its datacentres, which consume vast amounts of electricity. The company, a subsidiary of Alphabet, emphasized that nuclear energy provides “a clean, reliable, round-the-clock power source” essential for meeting rising electricity needs.
The surge in AI-driven innovations, alongside increasing cloud storage demands, has dramatically raised energy consumption within the tech industry. Following similar trends, Microsoft recently secured power from the Three Mile Island plant, reactivating the site for the first time in five years. Earlier this year, Amazon also acquired a nuclear-powered datacentre from Talen Energy.
Though the locations of the planned reactors and the financial terms remain undisclosed, Google has committed to purchasing 500 megawatts of power from Kairos Power. Founded in 2016, Kairos is currently developing a demonstration reactor in Tennessee, projected to be completed by 2027.
Michael Terrell, Google’s senior director for energy and climate, remarked: “The grid requires new energy sources to support AI advancements driving scientific breakthroughs, enhancing business services, and boosting national competitiveness. This agreement accelerates the deployment of innovative energy technologies to meet these needs sustainably while unlocking AI’s full potential for society.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technol...buy-nuclear-power-ai-datacentres-kairos-power
