Google Jumps into Next-Generation Nuclear Energy
In a landmark agreement, it was announced that Google signed an agreement to become the first major company committed to purchasing electricity from “next-generation nuclear technology” that’s still in development: advanced small modular reactors. Google jumps into next-generation nuclear energy, and this deal, with engineering firm Kairos Power, would take some significant steps toward decarbonizing energy sources while supporting the tech giant’s ambitious climate goals.
Google made history when it sealed a groundbreaking deal to buy nuclear power for its data centers, becoming the first major company committed to electricity from advanced small modular reactors still under development. In a major step toward decarbonizing energy sources, the deal with engineering firm Kairos Power aligns with Google’s ambitious climate goals.
A Strategic Move Towards Clean Energy
This funding of Kairos Power by Google will continue the line of plans to operate on carbon-free energy 24/7 up until 2030. “The tech giant wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half compared to 2019 levels”. There, though, follows a troubling trend from the company’s environmental report: a 48% rise in total emissions since 2019. And that underlines why Google needs to step on the accelerator pedal as far as clean energy purchases go, as energy demand from this rapidly rising artificial intelligence operation increases.
The head of Google, Sundar Pichai, said recently, “We are now looking at additional investments, be it solar, and evaluating technologies like small modular nuclear reactors, etc.” The rivalry towards nuclear is only heating up now because of other companies’ work, such as Amazon and Microsoft, with similar initiatives. Technology companies attempt to find a way to make up for their contribution to climate change.
What are Small Modular Reactors?
What’s unique about the Kairos Power agreement, though, is this use of small modular reactors, or SMRs – much smaller, on the order of one-tenth to a quarter the size of the traditional nuclear power plant. And because of this modularity, it’s envisioned that construction costs would be driven down, deployment streamlined. Therefore, siting and scalability would be much easier. Unlike wind and solar, which are intermittent renewable sources, there is the possibility to generate nuclear power constantly, day in and day out.
Yet there are still some drawbacks. Environmental and public safety concerns—especially in relation to mining and enriching uranium and disposing of radioactive waste—are still not laid to rest. These questions will require continued attention as the nuclear industry presses forward in innovation and growth.
Nuclear Energy: What’s Next
But a small step, perhaps, for the industry nonetheless was that the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission certified a design for a small modular reactor last year. Experts expect the first SMRs will start connecting to US power grids sometime in early 2030s. Google’s deal may prove pivotal in hastening the commercialization of advanced nuclear technologies: the company is betting big with the expectation of providing up to 500 MW carbon-free energy to the US grids.
Kairos Power has just broken ground in Tennessee on its first demonstration reactor-a critical milestone in finally making the SMR dream real. Jeff Olson, vice president of Business Development and Finance at Kairos Power, added that multiple deployment agreements ensure a demonstration of both technical and market viability for advanced nuclear energy.
A New Chapter in Corporate Energy Procurement
Google and Kairos Power’s deal marks a pioneering change in corporate energy procurement. With tech companies constantly adopting new forms of energy, the idea to keep things sustainable and carbon-free is changing the way they source their power needs. This momentous deal of Google will take it to a forefront position so far as clean energy adoption is concerned but also play a key role in kick-starting the nuclear industry.
This is not specifically about Google; this is a step into an emerging pattern of corporate engagement with the next-generation nuclear technologies. For climate change, now more than ever is the time when reliable carbon-free sources are needed for energy requirements. It can be a catalyst for further developments in nuclear energy-a critical need for an environmentally greener future.
Read on to know about electric power
