Google is the latest cloud giant to tap into nuclear power to power its AI workloads. The company said that it inked purchase agreement to use Kairos Power small modular reactors (SMRs) to power data centers.
Nuclear power has seen a resurgence as hyperscalers look for energy to train large language models (LLMs) and power AI workloads. Microsoft recently said it will have a data center adjacent to Three Mile Island. Amazon Web Services (AWS) cut a similar deal earlier in the year.
Generative AI driving interest in nuclear power for data centers
SMRs are relatively new technologies, but the idea is that these reactors can be added to data centers as needed. Google said the initial work will bring Kairos Power's first SMR online by 2030. Additional reactors will be installed through 2035.
Ultimately, Google is looking to Kairos Power to generate up to 500 MW of power.
Kairos Power uses a molten salt cooling system and a ceramic fuel to transport heat to a steam turbine. The reactor operates under low pressure. In a statement, Kairos Power said that it will show progress and iterate and optimized leading up to deployment.
"Our partnership with Google will enable Kairos Power to quickly advance down the learning curve as we drive toward cost and schedule certainty for our commercial product," said Kairos Power CEO Mike Laufer. "Google is more than just a customer. They are partners who deeply understands our innovative approach and the potential it can deliver."
