Google wants to work with startups to develop a nuclear reactor.
Google and Elemental Power have announced a significant collaboration, planning to establish three sites for ultra-advanced nuclear reactors. This ambitious project is driven by Google’s need to power its artificial intelligence development and its substantial investment of $75 billion in data centers this year.
According to Google , the company will generate at least 600 megawatts of power at each site, for a total of 1.8 gigawatts.
Elemental,
which has experience in the nuclear industry and has not yet developed any power plants,
also said that Google could buy the power directly.
Breakwater North launched the nuclear company and is now backed by Energy Impact Partners.
Elemental Power has not yet decided which small modular reactor (SMR) manufacturer to partner with to develop the project. Still, Kairos Power is a likely candidate because of its contract with Google.
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Kairos recently announced that its pilot plant will produce 50 megawatts of power, and eventually,
a commercial plant will produce 150 megawatts from two reactors. SMRs typically produce up to 300 megawatts.
Silicon Valley companies have been interested in SMRs, and companies like Oklo, X-Energy,
and Kairos have attracted attention by promising to reduce costs through small reactors. No small modular reactors have been built outside of China.