The proliferation of large data centers artificial intelligence (AI) is a very serious industry problem. So much so, in fact, that the US Department of Energy is considering the ability of companies to have it big data centers Until the training of AI, the training will be carried out small nuclear plant which can meet your industry needs.
However, if the Department of Energy considers nuclear to be the best option for solving the electrical needs of AI’s large data centers, the total contribution of this form of energy to the mix should be much higher. And this plan, logically, requires large investments. Microsoft, in fact, is one of the American companies that they are seriously considering bet on nuclear as their data centers.
This policy would also strengthen US support for energy sources that do not emit greenhouse gases. What is not yet clear is what investment the technology companies will undertake and what support the Government will provide. Be that as it may, in the oracle they seem to be clear about the path they want to follow. And Larry Ellison, co-founder and president of the company, confirmed it Oracle already licensed The administration is working to build a nuclear power plant that will serve as its next AI data center.
Google follows in the footsteps of Microsoft, Amazon and Oracle
Google he announced which signed an agreement with the manufacturer SMR nuclear reactors (Modular Reactor) Kairos Power to build seven reactors that will provide electricity for AI data centers. Their agreement seeks to add 500 MW of greenhouse gas emissions at a time when energy demand from data centers is increasing. Furthermore, the plan of these two companies is to have these SMR reactors ready in 2030, a date that raises reasonable doubts because it is relatively close to a project of this size.
The future of fission energy is undisputedly linked to SMR-type nuclear reactors
If it is possible, we can be sure of one thing: the future of fission energy is undoubtedly associated with SMR nuclear reactors. They are in development as in the previous two decadesand some of them are organized according to established principles and equipment the fourth generation of nuclear fission. These are characterized by the fact that defects introduced by previous generations are not burdened.
In order to achieve this, three requirements are necessary: they must be sustainable, they require the lowest financial investment, and in addition, safety and reliability must be high for the high probabilities of the reactor’s core suffering damage if this happens. . To meet the first condition, it is necessary to extract maximum energy from the fuel, and furthermore, radioactive waste must be minimized.
In terms of cost, start-up and maintenance of nuclear power plants are comparable to the costs required by other energy sources. And when it comes to salvation, it is reasonable that if it is an accident there is no need to take emergency measures beyond the capabilities of the nuclear power plant itself. There is no doubt that this generation of reactors is much more attractive than the second generation designs that have proliferated since the 1970s.
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In Xataka | Nuclear power plants are not solving the problem of AI data centers. Not now
