Google bankrolls construction of three atomic power stations in the United States
In a groundbreaking move, tech titan Google is teaming up with nuclear developer Elementl Power to fund the initial stages of three advanced nuclear power plants in the United States. Each plant is designed to generate at least 600 megawatts of power capacity. This partnership aims to add more than 10 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity across all projects by 2035, making a considerable impact on the nation's clean, reliable, and sustainable energy infrastructure.
Google's Global Head of Data Center Energy, Amanda Peterson Corio, explains that the motivation behind this endeavor is to ensure uninterrupted, round-the-clock power for Google's data center operations and the ever-increasing energy demands triggered by artificial intelligence applications. Advanced nuclear technology provides a cost-effective, 24/7 energy source that bolsters power grids and fuels AI innovation, enabling American technological supremacy.
Elementl Power, a relatively new company founded in 2022, specializes in attracting private investments for advanced nuclear facilities. In this partnership, Elementl will be in charge of evaluating and selecting nuclear technology providers, construction partners, and suitable locations for facility development. The company is passionate about the importance of nuclear energy as a safe, affordable, and sustainable source of baseload energy crucial for achieving net-zero emissions targets.
This strategic move by Google echoes a broader trend among major tech companies seeking to address the surging electricity demand from data centers and AI workloads. Similarly, industry giants like Microsoft and Amazon have also begun investing in nuclear energy, with Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies being a popular choice. Google is currently collaborating with Kairos Power to develop SMRs, with the first units anticipated to come online by 2030.
While nuclear plants can be costly and politically challenging to construct, they offer consistent zero-carbon electricity once operational. This venture represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of cleaner energy solutions necessary for reducing carbon emissions, all while meeting the substantial power requirements of AI and technology infrastructure.
Sources:1. ntv.de2. AFP3. Other Insights and Enrichment Data (As needed and applicable)
- Google's investment in nuclear power, through collaboration with Elementl Power, includes funding for research and development of a new research programme aimed at advanced nuclear technology.
- The research programme, focused on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies, aligns with Google's objective of ensuring sustainable energy for its data center operations and the growing demands of AI applications.
- The community policy for this research programme emphasizes the importance of nuclear energy as a safe, affordable, and sustainable source of baseload energy, contributing to the set net-zero emissions targets.
- By 2030, Google aims to have SMRs operational as part of its commitment to cleaner energy solutions, a move that follows the investments made by other tech giants such as Microsoft and Amazon in nuclear energy.
- The ongoing research and development in nuclear energy, facilitated by companies like Google and Amazon, could potentially revolutionize the industry, leading to groundbreaking innovations within the finance, energy, and technology sectors.
