Google’s work with artificial intelligence goes beyond what we can see in Gemini. The technology company has data centers that are powered by AI and these need to consume a large amount of energy. For this reason, Big Tech has announced that it will sign an agreement with a nuclear startup to power its data centers with small reactors.
In a statement on its blog, Google explained that it is going to partner with the startup Kairos Power to build seven modular nuclear reactors in the United States. These will be smaller than existing reactors and they hope to use them to power artificial intelligence data centers.
The difference between small reactors and conventional reactors is that their components can be developed within a factory and then transported. Therefore, it is not necessary to do it on the site where they will end up, which reduces construction costs. The first should be operational in 2030, at the end of the decade, and the rest will be added until completed in 2035.
Kairos Power will need construction licenses
The nuclear startup has not yet commissioned any reactors. It recently received approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build a demonstration reactor in Tennessee. Its launch dates back to 2027, although this could be delayed.
Kairos Power is currently developing test units without nuclear fuel components in Albuquerque (New Mexico, USA). There, you are analyzing them along with the systems and your supply chain. To build the reactors that Google wants, the demonstration would have to go well and then new design and construction permits would have to be approved in the North American country. That means they still have a long way to go.
Although Google has already talked about this alliance with Kairos Power to provide nuclear energy to its data centers, they have not detailed the financial details of the agreement. However, the technology company assures that this collaboration will help them keep costs low. Given that data centers are very expensive to maintain, especially due to energy consumption, the company may have seen a solution in reactors.
“By acquiring electricity from multiple reactors, we will help accelerate the repeated reactor deployments needed to reduce costs and bring Kairos Power technology to market more quickly,” said Michael Terrel, senior director of energy and climate at Google in the blog. -. “This is an important part of our approach to expanding the benefits of advanced technologies to more people and communities, and builds on our previous efforts.”
Artificial intelligence requires more energy
The data center industry already consumes a huge amount of energy. However, with the rise of AI and its implementation in these centers, the need for more energy has grown. This represents a high expenditure of money, much greater than what is currently done.
For this reason, more and more firms are betting on nuclear energy. Microsoft did it last September, reaching an agreement with Constellation Energy. In their case, they plan to put into operation a unit of the Three Mile Island plant (Pennsylvania, USA).
It also highlights the purchase that Amazon made in March 2024. In its case, it acquired a data center from the independent energy producer Talen Energy, which is powered by nuclear energy.
Now, it’s Google’s turn with its collaboration with Kairos Power. In just over a decade, they will have seven small nuclear reactors built by the startup to power their artificial intelligence data centers, according to the agreement they have reached.
