Google has announced a collaboration with nuclear developer Elementl Power to establish advanced nuclear reactors at three sites, addressing the increasing energy demands of its data centres, particularly driven by its expanding AI initiatives. The tech giant is set to invest $75 billion this year alone in enhancing data centre capacity.
Under this partnership, Google intends to provide a minimum of 600 megawatts of generating capacity at each site, with Elementl planning to connect these reactors to the grid in a way that allows Google to purchase power directly, offering essential energy security.
Elementl has kept a low profile until now but boasts a team with nuclear industry expertise, although it has yet to develop any power plants. Founded by Breakwater North, the company is economically supported by Energy Impact Partners. Their strategy involves a “technology agnostic” approach, which means they have yet to choose a small modular reactor (SMR) technology partner. However, Kairos Power appears to be a strong contender due to its existing relationship with Google.
Kairos Power aims to develop a demonstration plant capable of generating 50 megawatts, with future plans for a commercial facility producing 150 megawatts through two reactors. Generally, small modular reactors have a limit of around 300 megawatts, contrasted with traditional nuclear plants like the Vogtle Unit 4 in Georgia, which generates over 1.1 gigawatts—almost four times the capacity of a large SMR.
Silicon Valley has shown considerable interest in SMRs, with numerous startups entering the field promising to reduce costs through mass manufacturing, taking advantage of the more compact size of SMRs. This development aligns with the demand for reliable 24/7 power sources that can be strategically located near data centres. Notable partnerships have formed between these startups and major tech companies, including agreements with Oklo, X-Energy, and Kairos Power.
Despite the excitement surrounding SMRs, no such reactor has been constructed outside of China. One venture, NuScale, has made significant progress toward building an SMR but faced challenges in 2023 when its utility partner withdrew following a rise in estimated project costs, even after downsizing plans to manage expenses.
In summary, Google’s push for energy independence through nuclear power reflects a significant step towards meeting the escalating energy requirements of modern computing technologies and reinforces the growing interest in SMR technology within the renewable energy landscape.
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