Google Goes Nuclear: A technological gambit
THE TECH GIANT’S CONTROVERSIAL BOLD MOVE INTO SMALL MODULAR REACTORS
By Andrew Burlone
OCTOBER 15, 2024
The growing interest of tech companies in nuclear power represents a significant shift in both the tech and energy sectors. This trend has the potential to reshape energy strategies for data centres, accelerate innovation in nuclear technology, and bring about substantial changes in the broader energy landscape.
Nuclear energy provides consistent, round-the-clock power, which is crucial for data centres that require uninterrupted operation. The adoption of small modular reactors could lead to a reduced reliance on intermittent renewable sources and fossil fuel backups. Moreover, nuclear power plants have long operational lifespans, often 40-60 years or more. This could encourage tech companies to engage in more long-term energy planning and investment strategies.
The adoption of small modular reactors could lead to a reduced reliance on intermittent renewable sources and fossil fuel backups.
The entry of tech giants into the nuclear power market could have significant implications for the industry. The involvement of well-funded tech companies could bring much-needed investment to the nuclear industry, potentially accelerating the development and deployment of new technologies like SMRs. The association of nuclear power with innovative tech companies could help improve public perception of nuclear energy, potentially easing some of the social and political barriers to nuclear expansion.
In a surprising pivot, Google recently announced its foray into nuclear power, sending ripples through the tech and energy sectors. This move represents a significant shift in the company’s energy strategy and raises important questions about the future of power generation in the digital age.
GOOGLE’S GROWING ENERGY APPETITE
Google’s vast network of data centres forms the backbone of our online world, but these technological marvels come with an insatiable appetite for electricity. The company’s energy consumption has been steadily climbing, driven by the growing demands of its data centres and the integration of AI technologies into its services. In 2023, Google reported a 17% increase in total electricity consumption across its data centres, a trend expected to continue.
This move represents a significant shift in the company’s energy strategy and raises important questions about the future of power generation in the digital age.
The introduction of AI-powered services has further amplified these energy requirements. While a single Google search consumes about 0.3 watt-hours of electricity, a request to an AI system like ChatGPT requires nearly ten times that amount at 2.9 watt-hours. As Google expands its AI offerings, these energy demands are set to escalate dramatically.
Despite Google’s commitment to renewable energy sources, the company faces significant challenges in sustainably meeting its growing energy needs. Current renewable technologies struggle to provide the consistent, high-capacity power data centres require. Solar and wind energy, while increasingly efficient, are intermittent and depend on weather conditions, making them less reliable for the ongoing operation of data centres.
THE NUCLEAR SOLUTION: SMALL MODULAR REACTORS
Enter small modular reactors (SMRs), a new generation of nuclear technology that promises to address many of the challenges associated with traditional nuclear power plants. In October 2024, Google announced a groundbreaking agreement with Kairos Power , marking the world’s first corporate deal to purchase power from multiple SMRs.
Under this agreement, Google has committed to buying up to 500 megawatts of carbon-free electricity from Kairos Power’s SMRs, equivalent to powering approximately 360,000 homes annually. The deal involves the construction of six to seven small nuclear reactors, each with a capacity significantly smaller than traditional nuclear plants.
Enter small modular reactors, a new generation of nuclear technology that promises to address many of the challenges associated with traditional nuclear power plants.
Kairos Power’s innovative technology utilizes a molten-salt cooling system combined with ceramic, pebble-type fuel, allowing for efficient heat transport to generate power. The reactors employ a passively safe system that operates at low pressure, enabling a simpler and more cost-effective design than conventional nuclear reactors.
This approach addresses some challenges associated with traditional nuclear power plants, such as lengthy construction times and high costs. The agreement outlines an ambitious timeline, with the first SMR scheduled to become operational by 2030 and additional reactors to be deployed through 2035.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION
While SMRs offer potential safety advantages over traditional nuclear plants, public acceptance remains crucial for the success of this initiative. The use of molten fluoride salts as a coolant in Kairos Power’s reactors is touted as a safer alternative to water-cooled systems, preventing coolant from boiling. However, the technology is still nascent, and long-term operational data is limited.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will need to thoroughly review and approve the design and safety features of these new reactors. This process can be lengthy and may require additional studies or modifications, potentially delaying the projected 2030 start date for the first reactor.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS
SMRs offer several potential environmental benefits compared to traditional large-scale nuclear plants and fossil fuel power generation. They produce substantially fewer greenhouse gas emissions, making a notable contribution to climate change mitigation efforts. Their compact size translates to reduced land use, allowing for more efficient utilization of space and greater flexibility in siting.
SMRs can provide a reliable, long-term energy source and be easily integrated into smaller electrical grids, or used to complement existing power sources, including renewables.
Water conservation is another environmental benefit of SMRs. Some designs incorporate advanced cooling technologies like air-cooling or dry cooling, significantly reducing water usage and minimizing impact on local water resources. Certain SMR designs may also contribute to waste reduction in the nuclear industry, potentially incorporating fuel cycles that produce less radioactive waste or even reuse existing nuclear waste as fuel.
Economically, SMRs could bring significant advantages to the areas where they are deployed. A study estimated that a 100 MegaWatt SMR could create nearly 7,000 jobs and generate $1.3 billion in sales, along with $404 million in earnings. For remote communities, SMRs can provide a reliable, long-term energy source and be easily integrated into smaller electrical grids or used to complement existing power sources, including renewables.
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However, ensuring an adequate supply of qualified personnel for construction, operation, and radiological protection in remote locations could be challenging. This includes maintaining the constant availability of specialists for managing abnormal conditions and emergencies.
WASTE MANAGEMENT AND PROLIFERATION CONCERNS
Nuclear waste management remains a significant challenge for the industry. While SMRs generally produce less waste than traditional large-scale reactors, the issue of long-term storage and disposal persists. The radioactive waste produced by these reactors will require secure storage for thousands of years, raising environmental and ethical concerns.
The agreement between Google and Kairos Power outlines an ambitious timeline, with the first SMR scheduled to become operational by 2030 and additional reactors to be deployed through 2035.
Currently, there is no permanent solution for high-level nuclear waste disposal in many countries, and the lack of a clear waste management strategy could pose regulatory and public relations challenges for Google’s nuclear initiative.
The development of SMRs also increases the proliferation risk. The smaller scale and potential ease of transportation of SMRs could make them appealing to non-state actors or nations with clandestine nuclear ambitions. Ensuring nuclear materials are not diverted for illicit purposes is a substantial challenge, and the compact, integrated designs of SMRs can complicate monitoring and verification processes.
COMPARISON WITH OTHER ENERGY SOURCES
When compared to other energy sources, SMRs offer several advantages in terms of carbon emissions and overall environmental footprint. Their lifecycle emissions are comparable to those of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, making them an attractive option for countries aiming to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining a reliable baseload power supply.
Lifecycle emissions are comparable to those of renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
The potential for SMRs to reduce carbon emissions is substantial, particularly in hard-to-decarbonize sectors. A report by Pollution Probe, ?funded by Ontario Power Generation suggests that SMRs could cost-effectively reduce emissions by between 19 and 59 megatonnes by 2050, representing a three- to nine-per-cent reduction from 2020 emissions, primarily in oil and gas, and manufacturing industries.
FUTURE OUTLOOK AND INDUSTRY TRENDS
Google is not alone in its pursuit of nuclear energy. Several other tech giants are also exploring nuclear options to meet their growing energy demands. Microsoft has made headlines with its plan to reactivate a reactor at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant to power its data centres. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has also shown interest in nuclear power, having purchased a nuclear-powered data centre in Pennsylvania. Nvidia, a leader in AI hardware, has expressed support for nuclear energy as a solution to meet the increasing power demands of AI data centres.
These developments indicate a broader trend within the tech industry toward embracing nuclear energy as a viable solution for sustainable, high-capacity power generation. As companies like Google and Microsoft lead the way in exploring nuclear options, other tech giants may follow suit.
The increasing energy demands of AI and data centres are pushing companies to seek reliable, carbon-free power sources, and SMRs could fill this niche. This trend could lead to a significant shift in how the tech industry approaches energy procurement and sustainability goals.
These developments indicate a broader trend within the tech industry toward embracing nuclear energy.
Looking ahead, Google’s energy strategy may evolve to include more direct involvement in energy production. While the current agreement with Kairos Power is for power purchase, future developments could see tech companies like Google taking more active roles in the development and operation of energy facilities, potentially reshaping the relationship between the tech and energy sectors.
CHALLENGES AND UNCERTAINTIES
Despite the potential benefits, the path to widespread SMR adoption is not without hurdles. Regulatory frameworks in many countries are still adapting to this new technology, which could impact deployment timelines. While SMRs promise cost efficiencies through standardization and factory production, the economics of large-scale deployment remain to be proven in real-world scenarios.
The economic viability of SMRs is still a subject of debate within the energy sector. High upfront costs and the need to achieve economies of scale through series production could pose challenges. Moreover, the long-term operational and maintenance costs of these new reactors are yet to be fully understood. As with any new technology, unforeseen challenges could arise during operation, potentially leading to higher-than-anticipated expenses.
As with any new technology, unforeseen challenges could arise during operation…
Google’s move into nuclear power represents a significant shift in the tech industry’s approach to energy sourcing and sustainability. While SMRs offer promising solutions to the growing energy demands of data centres and AI operations, they also bring new challenges and uncertainties. The success of this initiative will depend on how effectively concerns about safety, waste management, and economic viability are addressed and managed in the coming years.
If proven successful, Google’s SMR project could have far-reaching implications for the broader tech industry and beyond, potentially accelerating the adoption of nuclear power in other sectors and influencing national and global energy policies.
As we stand on the brink of this new era in energy production, the world will be watching closely to see how Google navigates the complex landscape of nuclear power and whether this gambit will pay off in the pursuit of a sustainable, high-capacity energy future for the digital age.
Image: Gert Altmann – Pixabay
Andrew Burlone, co-founder of WestmountMag.ca , began his media journey at NOUS magazine. Subsequently, he launched Visionnaires, holding the position of creative director for over 30 years. Andrew is passionate about cinema and photography and also has a keen interest in visual arts and architecture.