Google turns to nuclear energy to power its artificial intelligence centers

In order to provide electricity for its data centers and artificial intelligence, Google has contracted with startup Kairos Power to build seven small nuclear reactors in the United States. The contract aims to add 500 megawatts of nuclear power with small modular reactors (SMRs) by the end of this decade.

The first SMR is expected to be operational by 2030, with other reactors expected to be ready by 2035, according to a TechCrunch report. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, but Google says the deal will help reduce costs and get energy sooner. Previously, Microsoft had also gone to buy a nuclear power plant to provide electricity for its artificial intelligence.

Power supply of Google artificial intelligence centers with nuclear energy

This is the company’s first nuclear power startup contract with SMR. Small modular reactors, as their name suggests, are smaller than existing reactors. However, the start-up Kairos Power needs the permission of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to be able to finalize the construction of these reactors.

The startup has already received approval for a demonstration reactor in the state of Tennessee, and has set a launch date of 2027. The company is currently building test units (without nuclear fuel components) at a development facility in Albuquerque to evaluate components and systems. Overall, Kairos Power aims to bring SMRs into mass production, so that nuclear power plants can be started faster and cheaper.

However, perhaps the biggest problem for Kairos Power (and Google) is not the technical issue. According to Pew Research, although 56 percent of Americans favor nuclear power, about 44 percent still oppose it. People are much more supportive of wind and solar energy, which are much less expensive than new nuclear plants. In general, nuclear energy has strong opponents due to the disposal of radioactive waste, the possibility of catastrophic events, and the high costs associated with construction.