Why Not Conventional Energy?
Renewable sources like solar and wind are intermittent, making them less reliable for constant operations required by data centres. Nuclear energy offers a continuous and carbon-free energy source, making it particularly attractive for companies seeking to balance high energy demands with climate commitments. As AI-driven workloads increase, especially in data centres, the limitations of renewable energy have become more apparent.
AI and the U.S. power grid: Concerns grow that the country’s infrastructure is not prepared –
A 2021 study titled Carbon Emissions and Large Neural Network Training revealed the amount of energy needed to train an AI model like OpenAI ChatGPT, which is equivalent to powering 120 US homes for one year. As Big Tech leans deeper into its AI investments, the power demand on the US electrical grid will only rise further. Is the United State’s infrastructure ready to take on this challenge? ClearView Energy Partners Managing Director Tim Fox joins Yahoo Finance to discuss the impacts of increasingly advanced AI technology on the US power grid. “Policy changes tend to come during instances of grid instability or energy scarcity. As long as the grid is working, it may keep the lawmakers at bay,” Fox says. “The bigger concern comes from state regulators. State legislators who create the policy also often have an agenda. The state regulators seem to be far more concerned about ensuring grid reliability than some of the state lawmakers.”
The Role of AI and Crypto in Rising Energy Demand
AI and cryptocurrency mining are significant contributors to rising energy consumption. Data centers that power AI operations are set to double their energy use by 2026, from 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022 to over 1,000 TWh
The computational power needed for training large AI models and processing complex queries, such as those used in generative AI, has led to increased demand for energy-intensive GPUs.
Meanwhile, cryptocurrency mining, particularly for Bitcoin Inc., remains a major energy consumer. In 2023, the global crypto industry used about 130 TWh of electricity, with projections suggesting this will rise significantly as the sector expands.
These power requirements add further urgency to finding stable and sustainable energy sources like nuclear power.
Cointelegraph | DataCenterDynamics
What is Nuclear Energy?
Nuclear energy is generated through controlled nuclear reactions that release heat, subsequently converted into electricity. Traditional nuclear power relies on fission, where uranium atoms are split, while newer advancements include atomic fusion and small modular reactors (SMRs). These methods can provide a stable and continuous energy supply, making them ideal for industries with significant power needs, such as AI and data centres.
Which nuclear has been adopted and why?
- Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor (KP-FHR)
- Traditional Uranium-Based Nuclear Reactors
KP-FHR and Uranium Nuclear Energy
New nuclear clean energy agreement with Kairos Power – https://youtu.be/S163YUdfckg
How does Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor (KP-FHR) work?
The Kairos Power FHR (KP-FHR) is a novel advanced reactor technology that leverages TRISO fuel in pebble form combined with a low-pressure fluoride salt coolant. The technology uses an efficient and flexible steam cycle to convert heat from fission into electricity and to complement renewable energy sources.
How does it work?
Read More – https://kairospower.com/technology/
News Media – Tech executives are betting big on nuclear energy
- https://youtu.be/MULiWVmzf2k?si=1GABZv14TqTK3Hm6
- https://youtu.be/5Pk38gxXG00?si=Q6IRgZHqKdHRajkh
- https://youtu.be/ldpEeS2k0DU?si=z40NkkWfzmFmEIXg
- https://youtu.be/ERDdTXA-hTQ?si=Xu9mEjfjDSL73RVh
How Does It Help Sustainability?
Nuclear energy emits zero carbon during electricity generation, making it an essential part of strategies to combat climate change. Companies like Google and Amazon Web Services (AWS) aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, and nuclear energy can be a crucial piece of this puzzle. For example, Google’s focus on small modular reactors is part of its effort to power its data centers with 24/7 carbon-free energy.
This shift helps tech giants meet their sustainability goals while addressing the increasing power consumption driven by AI and other advanced technologies
- Google – Net-Zero – https://sustainability.google/reports/247-carbon-free-energy/
- Amazon Sustainbility – https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/2023-report
- Microsoft Sustainability – https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/explore/global-infrastructure/sustainability#overview
The Business Case for Tech Giants: Amazon Web Services (AWS) , Google , Microsoft Azure
The energy needs of AI models and the broader cloud computing infrastructure have proliferated. Nuclear energy offers a way to manage long-term energy costs while reducing carbon footprints. Here’s how each company is approaching nuclear energy:
- Microsoft Azure is partnering with Constellation Energy to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, targeting operational status by 2028. Additionally, its investment in fusion technology with Helion Energy reflects a broader interest in cutting-edge nuclear solutions
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) has a $650 million deal with Talen Energy to use power from the Susquehanna nuclear plant. This agreement supplements its renewable energy projects, providing a more reliable power source to meet data center demands
- Google is evaluating the potential of SMRs as part of its strategy to achieve carbon-free energy for its data centers. This complements other renewable energy projects, addressing the challenge of powering AI-driven applications continuously
Comparison of Nuclear Energy Readiness
Tech Giant – Nuclear Energy – Readiness
Conclusion: A Shift Towards Nuclear Energy The growing focus on nuclear energy among tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft is driven by the need to power AI and data centers with stable, low-carbon energy. As the energy consumption of these operations increases, nuclear power offers a strategic advantage, balancing high demand with sustainability goals. With varying levels of commitment and readiness, these companies are positioning themselves to leverage nuclear energy as a part of their broader energy strategies.
Moving from Passion to Purpose(Opens in a new browser tab)
The combination of AI’s energy demands and the push for decarbonization make nuclear energy an attractive option for the future of computing and digital infrastructure.
Published by
Sandeep Mahindra
www.linkedin.com/in/sandeepmahindra
