Oct 15, 2024 10:35:00

Google signs world's first corporate agreement to purchase nuclear energy from Kairos Power to accelerate clean energy transition

Google has signed a world-first corporate agreement to purchase nuclear energy from

Kairos Power, a leading nuclear power company, as it works to accelerate the company's transition to clean energy.

Google signs advanced nuclear clean energy agreement with Kairos Power
https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/google-kairos-power-nuclear-energy-agreement/

Google's first advanced nuclear clean energy deal - YouTube


Google signed a deal to power data centers with nuclear micro-reactors from Kairos — but the 2030 timeline is very optimistic | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/14/google-signed-a-deal-to-power-data-centers-with-nuclear-micro-reactors-from-kairos-but-the-2030-timeline-is-very-optimistic/

The initial phase of the agreement between Google and Kairos Power will aim to quickly and safely bring Kairos Power's SMRs online by 2030, followed by additional reactors through 2035. Overall, the agreement will enable the delivery of up to 500 MW of new carbon-free electricity to the US power grid, 24/7, enabling more communities to benefit from clean, affordable nuclear power.

Google explains that the deal with Kairos Power is significant for two reasons:

'The electric grid needs new sources of power to power major scientific advances, improve services for businesses and customers, and support AI technologies that drive our nation's competitiveness and economic growth. This agreement will accelerate new technologies that meet our energy needs cleanly and reliably, helping us all realize the full potential of AI.'

Nuclear solutions provide clean, 24-hour power and help ensure electricity demand is met with carbon-free energy at all times of every day. Promoting these sources in close collaboration with supportive communities can also help fast-track the carbon neutrality of power grids around the world.

Google said of the deal, 'This is part of our commitment to develop and commercialize a broad range of advanced clean energy technologies to power our data centers and offices around the world. This approach complements our use of variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind, and will help us achieve our ambitious goals of 24/7 carbon-free energy and

net zero .'

Kairos Power's SMR offers a new way to accelerate the adoption of nuclear power due to its simplified design and inherent safety. SMRs' small size and modular design allow them to be built in less time and deployed in more locations. SMRs combine a molten salt cooling system with ceramic pebble-shaped fuel to efficiently transport heat to a steam turbine to generate electricity. This allows the reactor to operate at lower pressures, resulting in a simpler and more affordable reactor design.

Using an iterative development approach, Kairos Power plans to complete multiple successive hardware demonstrations prior to its first commercial plant, enabling critical learnings that will accelerate reactor adoption while improving efficiency and cost certainty. Kairos Power is also breaking ground on the Hermes non-powered demonstration reactor in Tennessee, USA, in the summer of 2024, which is also the first advanced reactor project in the USA to receive construction permission from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Additionally, Google emphasizes that investing in advanced nuclear technology can also bring direct economic benefits to communities across the US. According to the US Department of Energy, nuclear power has the greatest economic impact of any electricity generation technology and creates high-paying, long-term jobs. According to the Department of Energy, an additional 375,000 workers will be needed to reach 200 GW of advanced nuclear generating capacity in the US by 2050.