Google Explores Nuclear Power to Fuel AI's Growing Energy Demands

Google's Energy Hunger: Nuclear Power for Artificial Intelligence?

The demand for computing power for Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rising rapidly, and with it the energy hunger of the data centers that enable these applications. Google, one of the biggest players in the AI field, is now taking an unusual path to meet this demand: The company is investing in nuclear power.

Cooperation with Elementl Power for New Nuclear Power Plants

Google has entered into an agreement with the US company Elementl Power to jointly develop three new nuclear power plants in the USA. Each power plant is expected to deliver a capacity of at least 600 megawatts. Google will undertake the initial investments for site permits, grid connection rights, and initial contract work. The goal: Reliable and CO₂-free energy for the growing AI data centers. Although specific locations have not yet been announced, the first power plant is expected to go online as early as 2030. It is noteworthy that Elementl Power is a relatively young company and has no experience in building nuclear power plants to date.

The Immense Energy Demand of AI as a Driver

The background for Google's decision is the enormous energy demand of AI applications. Estimates suggest that an additional 50 gigawatts of new energy could be needed in the US by 2027. Other tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are also looking for solutions for powering their data centers and are also considering investments in nuclear power.

Google's Comprehensive Energy Strategy: More Than Just Nuclear Power

The collaboration with Elementl Power is part of a broader strategy by Google to cover its own energy needs around the clock with CO₂-free energy by 2030. As early as 2024, Google announced a partnership with the startup Kairos Power to develop small modular reactors (SMRs). These are expected to achieve an output of up to 500 megawatts by 2035. Kairos Power relies on fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactors, which are considered safer. Google sees this strategy as more cost-effective and reliable than relying solely on renewable energies.

Advanced Nuclear and SMRs: The Technology in Focus

"Advanced Nuclear" is a collective term for next-generation nuclear reactor designs that go beyond conventional light water reactors. Elementl Power itself is technology-agnostic and not tied to a specific reactor type. SMRs, as developed by Kairos Power, are smaller than conventional nuclear power plants and are intended to be built faster and more cost-effectively through modular construction and series production.

Other Tech Companies in the Nuclear Power Race

Google is not alone. Microsoft is planning to restart a reactor at the decommissioned Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has acquired a data center campus near a nuclear power plant and is also investing in SMRs. Meta has also made agreements that suggest a move towards using nuclear power.

Challenges and Criticism: Reality Check

Despite the ambitious plans, there are doubts and criticism. Experts doubt that Elementl Power will be able to commission a reactor by 2030. The unresolved question of nuclear waste disposal also raises questions. Environmental organizations such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth reject nuclear energy and SMRs, calling them expensive, dangerous, and a distraction from real climate solutions. Critics also point to Google's rising CO₂ emissions, despite its sustainability goals.

Outlook: Nuclear Power and the Future of AI

Google's turn to nuclear energy is part of a broader strategy that also includes investments in geothermal energy and AI optimization of power grids. Whether the ambitious timelines and cost targets for the new nuclear power projects can be achieved remains to be seen. It is clear that Google must also continue to improve the energy efficiency of its AI models and data centers. Whether nuclear power is actually the solution for a CO₂-neutral AI future remains one of the most controversial questions of the coming years. Bibliography: - https://t3n.de/news/google-atompakt-ki-energie-1686433/ - https://t3n.de/news/strom-fuer-ki-rechenzentren-google-setzt-auf-atomkraftwerk-aus-neuartigen-reaktoren-1651542/ - https://x.com/t3n/status/1920526631031959643 - https://www.facebook.com/t3nMagazin/posts/kernkraft-neu-gedacht-china-erzielt-erfolg-mit-einem-reaktortyp-der-viele-vortei/1113144477517370/ - https://t3n.de/ - https://www.threads.com/@t3n_magazin/post/DJZoRdiIDou/googles-ki-braucht-saft-viel-saft-ihr-neuer-energie-deal-ist-nuklear-und-giganti - https://t3n.de/tag/google/ - https://www.facebook.com/t3nMagazin/posts/ein-neues-digitalministerium-viele-alte-probleme-wo-bitte-gehts-hier-zur-staatsm/1119047213593763/