Google taps Kairos Power for Nuclear Energy in Landmark Deal

Google is purchasing nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors (SMR) in efforts to accelerate the clean energy transition across the US.

Signing the pioneering corporate agreement with Kairos Power, a leading energy equipment company, the tech giant is eager to bring the first nuclear reactor online by 2030. The company will purchase nuclear energy from multiple SMRs which will be developed by Kairos Power.

Google has already played a crucial role in accelerating clean energy solutions with the power of technology. However, the organisation has had to confront rising emissions in recent months, on account of its continued investment into AI data centres. It is hoped that nuclear power will offer a much-needed solution to offer carbon-free power to US electricity grids and help more communities benefit from clean and affordable nuclear power.

“The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies,” explains Michael Terrell, Senior Director for Energy and Climate at Google. 

“This agreement helps accelerate a new technology to meet energy needs cleanly and reliably, and unlock the full potential of AI for everyone.”

What the agreement means for data centre development

Kairos Power’s technology uses a molten-salt cooling system, combined with a ceramic pebble-type fuel, to efficiently transport heat to a steam turbine to generate power. 

This type of system has been hailed for its safety, as it enables the reactor to operate at low pressure - ultimately creating a more affordable nuclear reactor design. Google explains that Kairos Power will complete multiple successive hardware demonstrations ahead of its first commercial plant to enable ‘critical learnings’ and ‘efficiency improvements’ that accelerate reactor deployments.

The company already specialises in developing smaller reactors that use a molten fluoride salt coolant instead of the traditional water.

Nuclear power is virtually carbon free and provides electricity 24 hours a day. Although not a perfect solution, due to producing radioactive waste and using more energy, it has become increasingly desirable within the global technology industry as it attempts to cut emissions.

As the use of SMRs expands, nuclear-powered data centres are expected to become an even greater reality within the next decade. 

Those within the sector are currently faced with having to confront rising power use and doubling energy consumption in the next few years alone. In particular, the US has expressed the desire to triple their nuclear energy capacity by 2050 as it aims to move away from fossil fuels.

Why Google is backing nuclear energy

According to Google, its agreement with Kairos Power is significant because the US grid requires new electricity sources to support AI technologies. 

These disruptive technologies are helping to improve scientific advances and services for businesses and customers alike. The end goal is to propel greater economic growth and maintain the nation’s competitive edge.

Such a strong agreement with Kairos Power is designed to not only meet energy needs in a cleaner way, but is also designed to unlock greater potential from AI. Nuclear power is designed to offer a constant power source that can help the US meet electricity demands with carbon-free energy.

According to Google, the next generation of advanced nuclear reactors offers a new pathway to accelerate nuclear deployment thanks to their simplified design and safety. The smaller size and modular design Kairos Power can offer stands to reduce construction timelines, allow deployment in more places and make the final project delivery more predictable.

Both companies hope that their deal will provide a low-carbon solution to power data centres and solve the electricity demand issue.

How nuclear power can support local US communities 

Advancing these power sources in close partnership with supportive local communities will rapidly drive the decarbonisation of electricity grids around the world, says Google.

The tech giant views investing in advanced nuclear technology as being able to successfully offer economic benefits to communities across the US. The US Department of Energy (DOE) has already cited nuclear power as having a high economic impact, as it helps create high-paying, long-term jobs.

In fact, the agency estimates reaching 200 gigawatts (GW) of advanced nuclear capacity in the US by 2050 will require an additional 375,000 workers.

“By procuring electricity from multiple reactors, we will help accelerate the repeated reactor deployments that are needed to lower costs and bring Kairos Power’s technology to market more quickly,” Michael Terrell adds. “This is an important part of our approach to scale the benefits of advanced technologies to more people and communities, and builds on our previous efforts.

“We’ll continue working to accelerate a diverse portfolio of advanced clean electricity technologies and bring new 24/7 clean, affordable energy onto every grid where we operate.”

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