The rise in AI technology is increasing energy demand. Data centers are responding to new power needs for energy sustainability. Hydrogen, solar and wind are renewable energy sources for data centers, and nuclear power is another energy source.
Data centers need to reduce their environmental impact, which requires clean, abundant, and powerful renewable energy sources. Explore the benefits, feasibility, and considerations of nuclear power, including small modular reactors (SMRs).
How can nuclear energy be used in data centers?
According to Digital Realty CTO Chris Sharp, a typical data center uses about 32 megawatts of power, while an AI data center uses 80 MW. With the rapid growth of AI, this will become the norm.
Renewable power sources are required to cover this consumption. Nuclear fission and fusion can produce large amounts of energy with low carbon emissions. Unlike weather-dependent energy production like wind and solar, nuclear reactors operate 24/7.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), nuclear power has been used for more than 60 years to support the energy grid and national defense operations. However, this is not the case when it comes to powering data centers. This is because nuclear reactors are large-scale projects with strict regulations. These limitations make it difficult to install nuclear reactors on a large scale near data centers. However, with the invention of SMR, this may become possible.
Use of small modular reactors
SMR has the potential to harness nuclear energy within data centers in the future. These reactors are smaller, more compact versions of typical nuclear reactors. However, according to National Grid, SMRs generate about one-fifth of the amount of energy. The advantage of SMRs is that their compact nature makes them easier and cheaper to manufacture and transport.
SMRs typically fuel submarines and aircraft carriers, providing enough power for up to 20 years without interruption. If such SMRs can be produced safely at scale, they have the potential to require little maintenance and provide data centers with a dedicated, stable, renewable power source.
Efforts to support the development of SMRs are under license review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and will likely be deployed in the late 2020s to early 2030s, according to the DOE. Achieving that goal requires addressing technology development, licensing, and regulatory risks. Experimental initiatives are currently being tested and, if successful, could accelerate the use of SMR in domestic and international markets. SMR could be integrated on-site in data centers within 10 years.
Advantages of nuclear power in data centers
Low carbon footprint
According to Our World in Data, coal emits 970 tons of greenhouse gases. That’s 160 times more energy than nuclear energy per gigawatt hour of electricity. Oil emits 714 tons more than nuclear energy, and natural gas emits 434 tons more than nuclear energy. On average, solar and wind energy produce 47 tons and 5 tons more than nuclear power, respectively. The use of nuclear energy has the potential to accelerate the decarbonization of data centers globally.
Carbon footprint is minimized
Nuclear facilities use significantly less land than other energy alternatives, and SMR uses even less land. Although some carbon may be produced during the manufacturing of nuclear reactors, the overall carbon footprint is still the lowest overall compared to other power sources.
Produces clean and pollution-free energy
Energy production and use is a source of anthropogenic air pollutant emissions. These pollutants include particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides that enter the atmosphere and worsen air quality. Nuclear energy does not emit air pollutants, so data centers can help keep the air clean and free of harmful pollutants.
Provides high density, stable and reliable power
Nuclear energy has a high energy capacity, which is the amount of electricity that a generator produces at maximum output. They also have a high energy density, meaning that nuclear reactors produce large amounts of energy with little fuel. Additionally, nuclear reactors do not rely on weather to function properly. These high levels of capacity, efficiency, and consistency provide stable and reliable power. This is what data centers need to ensure maximum uptime.
Nuclear challenges in data centers
low availability
There are only a few nuclear reactors currently available. This is due in part to the capital investment required to build a nuclear power plant, long development times, poor public perception of nuclear safety, and intense regulatory oversight. As nuclear technology continues to advance, restrictions on data centers should ease.
Difficult to process and recycle waste
Nuclear reactors do not produce much waste, but spent fuel is dangerous to maintain and difficult to dispose of. Tools for recycling and reusing nuclear energy are still in the development and testing stages. SMRs require much less maintenance and expertise to operate than larger facilities, but that infrastructure is not available in data centers.
High initial cost required
Financing the construction of nuclear facilities is no easy task, which is why only the largest data centers are considering nuclear energy. Apart from construction costs, operating costs are also high, as operating a nuclear reactor requires strict procedures and a high level of expertise.
are bound by a strict regulatory environment
Security and safety are of paramount importance, so the use of nuclear energy requires clear and rigorous standards. Data centers must follow these policies and procedures. Government agencies work together nationally and internationally to create regulations.
Current status of nuclear power in data centers
Providing nuclear energy to data centers is still largely in the research and development stage. But tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are starting to explore this.
In 2024, Amazon purchased a data center campus based on a nuclear power plant from Talen Energy. This agreement complements our commitment to carbon-free energy to power AWS data centers around the world.
Public Service Enterprise Group is exploring the possibility of selling electricity directly from nuclear power plants to data centers, Vistra is negotiating with data center operators, and Constellation is looking to sell existing power to data center energy. There is a possibility of building a modern nuclear reactor at the plant. Google also signed an agreement to work with Nucor Corporation to help bring advanced nuclear projects online.
Microsoft is creating new positions related to developing viable strategies in advanced nuclear energy. Microsoft is looking for someone to start planning for SMR to power its data centers.
Additionally, DOE has invested more than $600 million since 2014 to support the design, licensing, and siting of NuScale’s SMR designs, manufacturing plants, and other domestic SMR concepts. The NRC will qualify NuScale’s SMR design in 2023, and the first modules are expected to be operational by 2029.
What you need to do to ensure safety
Past reactor meltdowns such as Chernobyl, Fukushima, and Three Mile Island have given people a negative impression of nuclear energy. In comparison, modern designs of advanced nuclear technology are safer.
The development of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety standards is consistent with international consensus among world leaders in nuclear safety. This standard addresses all aspects of safety in the operation and regulatory activities of nuclear power plants.
The latest generation of nuclear reactors has been incrementally improved over previous generations with the goal of preventing everything from meltdowns and accidents to human error. SMR has been intensively studied and is generally considered safe. SMR relies on passive systems that automatically shut down in the event of an incident or equipment failure. All reactor designs must go through extensive review, approval, and testing before they can be licensed.
SMR requires little intervention from data center operators. However, equipment maintenance and nuclear waste disposal are necessary and must be handled by qualified professionals. Adhering to strict regulations and safety protocols can be difficult, but necessary for safety and security.
Nuclear energy has the potential as a clean, renewable energy source for data centers. However, it is not yet possible at a widespread level. According to the IAEA, scientists can routinely reproduce and experiment with many of the conditions necessary for nuclear fusion. However, it lacks the confinement properties needed to scale up this process for energy production. Although currently not possible, scientists and engineers are working hard to make widespread use of fusion reactors a reality.
Jacob Roundy is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in a variety of technology topics, including data centers and sustainability.
