In the 1950s, the United States began conducting underground nuclear detonations to mitigate the fallout—both radioactive and political—that resulted from surface testing. For the next four decades, layers of rock served as an effective barrier as nations continued to engage in subsurface nuclear operations.
Currently, a pioneering nuclear startup is looking to entomb a small reactor beneath the earth, using great depths as an alternative to the massive amounts of concrete needed for the protection of aboveground reactors. The firm, Deep Fission, announced on Tuesday a partnership with data center developer Endeavour, aiming to establish 2 gigawatts of underground nuclear energy.
As part of the agreement, Endeavour made an investment in Deep Fission, though the startup chose not to disclose the details when approached by TechCrunch. Last August, the company successfully raised $4 million in funding.
The nuclear startup sector is experiencing a surge, largely fueled by the increasing energy needs of data centers that are handling compute-heavy workloads for AI tasks. Google has joined forces with Kairos for a project involving reactors totaling 500 megawatts, while Amazon has partnered with X-Energy for around 300 megawatts. Additionally, data center operator Switch has signed a deal with Oklo, a startup backed by Sam Altman, for 12 gigawatts of electricity. Alternatively, Meta is adopting a different approach by inviting nuclear developers to submit proposals.
The majority of new nuclear startups are focusing on the development of small modular reactors that aim to reduce costs through mass manufacturing techniques. Their smaller physical size is particularly attractive to developers seeking to optimize the number of servers on their premises.
Deep Fission plans to lower its reactors via cables into a mile-deep borehole that measures 30 inches in diameter. These reactors utilize pressurized water designs, a method widely applied in everything from nuclear submarines to large-scale power facilities. A steam generator attached to the reactor will convert heat to steam, which will then be transported to the surface through pipes that extend the length of the borehole. For any necessary maintenance, the reactor can be retrieved to the surface, a process the company claims will only take “one to two hours.” Deep Fission aims to achieve a cost of five to seven cents per kilowatt-hour, significantly less than Lazard’s current estimates for new nuclear power costs in the U.S.
This development is part of a series of agreements that could herald a new era of nuclear energy in the United States. Deep Fission intends to activate its inaugural reactor by 2029, a timeline consistent with those of other firms.
Like many of its counterparts, Deep Fission is still awaiting approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The startup initiated the licensing process in March. Historically, this approval could take years; however, a recent law stipulates an 18-month period for the NRC to decide on small modular reactor applications. So far, the only company to navigate this process successfully is Kairos.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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