AI firms’ shift to nuclear power may spark energy revolution
Google and other tech companies are trying to adopt nuclear power for sustainable AI development.
This renewable energy shift is a response to the growing, massive amount of energy necessary to build and operate artificial intelligence systems.
The initiative, however, presents many financial and regulatory challenges. Nevertheless, these firms are determined to pursue nuclear and other eco-friendly sources to continue befitting humanity and the environment.
Article continues after this advertisementWhich AI companies are adopting nuclear power?
As part of our commitment to clean energy, we’re signing the world’s first corporate agreement to purchase nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors to be developed by @KairosPower. Learn more → https://t.co/K9nv7J9L4Q pic.twitter.com/GNuLs1dNA5
— Google (@Google) October 14, 2024
Google demonstrates the most substantial nuclear power shift. On October 14, the tech giant signed an agreement with Kairos Power.
READ: Sam Altman says nuclear fusion could support future AI
Kairos Power will build small nuclear reactors (SMRs) and then Google will purchase their energy.
Article continues after this advertisementIts primary goal is to power AI and scientific innovations, showing everyone the profound positive impact of artificial intelligence.
The project will likewise produce clean energy to help the US meet its growing energy demands.
Other tech firms are also developing nuclear power. Like Microsoft, which collaborated with Constellation Energy to restart the Three Mile Island reactor by 2028.
On October 16, Amazon announced it signed three agreements to support nuclear energy development via SMRs.
Why are AI firms switching to nuclear energy?
Why AI is going nuclear https://t.co/ml2dmkbkza
— VentureBeat (@VentureBeat) October 18, 2024
VentureBeat asked Edward Kee, the founder and CEO of Nuclear Economics Group, why the tech companies are developing nuclear energy projects.
READ: Japan shifting back to nuclear to ditch coal, power AI
He said it’s the only renewable source that can meet AI’s energy demands reliably.
“The value of clean, reliable electricity for these data centers is pretty high,” he said in an online call.
“Most companies have committed to zero-carbon power by 2030 or 2035, but using renewable energy accounting methods is a bit fallacious…”
“Solar doesn’t work at night, and wind doesn’t work when there’s no wind.”
However, these firms are facing regulatory headwinds.
“The states and the utilities where they’re going to put those data centers are saying, ‘Hold on a minute, guys.’”
“‘You can’t just show up here and connect and take hundreds of megawatts or gigawatts of power without us having a plan to supply the generation to meet that demand. It’s going to cause problems.’”
Kee said many promises from tech firms might be overly optimistic. Nevertheless, he hopes these companies could spark a new energy revolution for AI and the world.
