Google to Source Nuclear Energy for AI Development

Google signed an agreement with Kairos Power to acquire nuclear power from small modular reactors (SMRs), accelerating its transition to clean energy in the United States. This agreement is designed to support the continued development of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and the decarbonization of power grids.

Kairos Power plans to begin is intended to bring Kairos Power’s first SMR online by 2030, followed by additional reactor deployments through 2035. Collectively, these reactors will provide up to 500 megawatts of carbon-free power to US power grids, delivering a clean and continuous source of electricity 24/7. The agreement is the world's first corporate contract to purchase nuclear power generated by SMRs.

“The grid needs new sources of electricity to support AI technologies that are driving important scientific and economic breakthroughs,” said Michael Terrell, Google's Director of Energy and Climate. “This agreement accelerates a new technology that makes it possible to meet growing energy needs in a clean and reliable way.” 

SMRs represent an evolution of nuclear technology due to their modular design and smaller size, which facilitate faster and more efficient construction, according to a Google press release. “Kairos Power's cooling system, based on molten salts and a ceramic fuel, optimizes heat transfer, enabling low-pressure operation and improving project safety and costs,” Terrell added. 

Terrell concluded by emphasizing that this is a significant step forward in the company’s strategy to ensure a carbon-free energy supply for its global operations, complementing the use of intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind.

Impact and Next Steps

The US Department of Energy estimates that expanding advanced nuclear capacity to 200 gigawatts by 2050 will create an additional 375,000 jobs. Meanwhile, Kairos Power has made significant progress with the construction of its “Hermes” demonstration reactor in Tennessee, the first advanced reactor project to receive a construction permit from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

According to its press release, Google plans to further diversify its portfolio of advanced energy technologies. The company will continue to work in collaboration with suppliers and local communities to accelerate the adoption of clean energy sources and achieve its goal of operating with carbon-free electricity 24/7.

This approach will enable Google and other technology companies to secure a reliable supply of energy while moving toward full decarbonization of power grids. It will also facilitate the development of  technologies such as AI, whose development, according to leaders within the NVIDIA industry, depends on sustained access to large amounts of electricity.