Google go to nuclear power to fill your stomach artificial intelligencetechnology giants silicon Valley has closed a “unique in the world” deal with which it will build between six and seven small nuclear reactor which will generate energy necessary for their growth data centersWho demand more and more electricity.
This Monday the company announced that it will partner with start up California company Kairos Power will burn several small modular reactors (SMRs), which will be built in usaIf all goes according to plan, the first minireactor will be completed in 2030 and the rest will follow in 2035.
There are many unknowns in Google’s pioneering nuclear deal. The company has not disclosed the locations of the new nuclear plants or how much it will pay Kairos Power to build them. It has indicated its intention to purchase a total of 500 MW of energy.
Google argues that financing the construction of this type of reactor will help reduce costs and accelerate the commercialization of this reactor. technologyHowever, the emerging SMR industry has not yet been able to achieve widespread adoption. Adding to the technical complexities of this innovation is that new reactors require a federal construction and exploitation license to operate, a vetting process that can be lengthy.
Quenching the thirst for the power of AI
The technology industry is immersed in a competitive race to deploy information systems. Generative AIHowever, their business ambitions limit their energy needs ApplicationWhich especially requires excessive consumption. A response was generated with chatgptFor example, 10 times more is required Electricity Compared to Google Search. To continue to launch new, increasingly complex AI-based products and services, big tech They are forced to find a source that can meet the increasing demand for electricity.
Nuclear bets by ‘Big Tech’
Google isn’t the only technology giant being bet on nuclear energyon September, Microsoft Announced that it would reactivate the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania to purchase 100% of its energy for 20 years. In 1979, one of the plant’s two reactors collapsed, causing the worst disaster of its kind ever. usawas in march Amazon Who bought a nuclear powered data center in the same state.
The region’s commitment to this source is because it can guarantee energy supplies on a large scale and is considered clean, as it does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) for the environment. Michael Terrell, senior director of energy and climate at Google, said in a statement, “This agreement helps accelerate new technologies to meet energy needs cleanly and reliably, and unlocks the full potential of AI for everyone. Is.” Corporate statement published on its blog,
Closing these agreements also allows them to “avoid other sources of volatility such as leverage.” gas Or Renewable energy“, Luis Batet, Professor of Energy Resources and Nuclear Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, explained to EL Periódico.
Google reported that this agreement adds to more than 115 existing agreements to obtain energy from renewable sources, adding more than 14 gigawatts of capacity. The company has not ruled out the possibility of closing new agreements with the nuclear sector.
