Google teams up with Kairos Power to deploy 500MW of nuclear energy by 2035

Google and Kairos Power have formalized a comprehensive agreement to establish a series of advanced nuclear power projects across the United States by 2035, collectively targeting the generation of 500 megawatts (MW) of carbon-free energy. This collaboration represents a critical advancement in Google’s ambitions to realize 24/7 carbon-free energy for its data centres and other operational facilities, as stated in the recent announcement by both companies.

This agreement is a paradigmatic shift for Google, substantially amplifying its sustainability initiatives across its vast infrastructure. By integrating advanced nuclear energy into its existing energy matrix, Google is taking a transformative step toward diversifying its energy portfolio while substantially reducing its carbon emissions. This initiative aligns cohesively with Google’s overarching goal of powering all aspects of its operations—ranging from extensive data centres to corporate offices—exclusively with carbon-free energy at all times. As Google’s data requirements grow exponentially, driven by the surging use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies, the partnership with Kairos Power provides a solution to meet these increasing energy demands through a sustainable and scalable approach.

Under the terms of this strategic collaboration, Kairos Power will spearhead the design, construction, and operation of a series of advanced nuclear reactors, delivering power directly to Google through meticulously structured Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). These reactors will be strategically located in proximity to Google data centres, with the inaugural unit anticipated to be operational by 2030. The deployment of these reactors is expected to establish a consistent and robust energy supply, effectively addressing the intermittency challenges faced by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Consequently, the incorporation of advanced nuclear power will not only bolster the reliability of Google’s energy supply but also facilitate a comprehensive transition to achieving complete carbon neutrality across its operations.

Meeting Rising Energy Demand in an AI-Driven World

This agreement is poised to play an instrumental role in supporting Google’s ambitious net-zero emissions objective while simultaneously addressing the escalating electricity demands associated with AI-centric workloads. Google has highlighted two principal drivers for entering this partnership: first, the increasing energy requirements fueled by the growth of AI applications, and second, the imperative for a stable and carbon-free energy supply to meet these needs sustainably. As AI models grow in scale and complexity, the computational power required to support these innovations also intensifies, necessitating a stable and dependable energy infrastructure. By committing to advanced nuclear power, Google is proactively addressing the energy-intensive requirements of AI, underscoring its commitment to sustainable development while pursuing cutting-edge technological advancements.

Kairos Power’s advanced Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) employ an innovative design that utilizes molten-salt cooling alongside ceramic pebble-type fuel, creating a low-pressure reactor environment that effectively minimizes operational complexity and reduces associated costs. These advanced SMRs represent a significant evolution in nuclear technology, emphasizing key attributes such as safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By 2035, Kairos Power intends to complete the deployment of multiple reactors, collectively generating 500 MW of power to supply Google’s U.S. operations. This capacity is expected to make a substantial contribution to Google’s carbon-free energy targets, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and providing a resilient energy infrastructure that complements its existing renewable assets.

Multi-Phase Deployment Strategy

The partnership incorporates a carefully crafted phased deployment strategy for the reactors, which is aimed at refining the technology and achieving optimal efficiency with each successive phase. This phased approach also involves milestone-based checkpoints that serve as critical evaluative criteria, ensuring adherence to project timelines and fostering a culture of accountability throughout the deployment process. The strategic deployment approach has been explicitly designed to mitigate potential risks; each successful deployment phase serves as an experiential learning opportunity, facilitating the optimization of reactor design and operational methodologies for subsequent installations. This iterative learning process is pivotal in driving down the overall costs associated with nuclear energy production, thereby enhancing the economic feasibility of advanced nuclear power as a long-term solution for sustainable energy.

The introduction of Kairos Power’s technology is also directed at mitigating the variability inherent in renewable energy sources. Renewable sources, such as wind and solar, are subject to fluctuations due to changing environmental conditions, thus introducing challenges in ensuring a consistent energy supply. Advanced nuclear power, by contrast, provides a stable and continuous output of carbon-free energy, rendering it an ideal complement to the renewable sources that Google has extensively invested in. By integrating nuclear power into its energy portfolio, Google aims to achieve a more robust and balanced energy mix that prioritizes reliability without compromising on sustainability commitments.

Kairos Power’s advanced reactor technology provides a dependable, carbon-neutral alternative that complements Google’s wind and solar energy initiatives, thereby fortifying the company’s renewable energy portfolio. Since 2010, Google has been a leader in renewable energy procurement, having executed over 115 power purchase agreements encompassing more than 14 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy generation. This latest partnership represents a definitive expansion of Google’s energy strategy to encompass nuclear energy, highlighting the company’s focus on developing a diverse and dependable energy ecosystem. Historically, Google’s renewable energy strategy has incorporated substantial investments in wind farms, photovoltaic solar installations, and other novel energy solutions. The inclusion of nuclear power constitutes a quantum leap, providing a level of consistency and reliability that renewables alone may struggle to achieve, particularly given their inherent intermittency.

Construction Already Underway

Kairos Power has already embarked on the construction of its Hermes demonstration reactor in Tennessee, marking significant progress towards the broader deployment goals. Notably, Hermes is the first advanced reactor in the United States to have been granted a construction permit by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, representing a monumental milestone for the advancement of nuclear energy technology. This regulatory endorsement is a testament to the viability and safety of Kairos Power’s reactor design and signifies a critical step forward in demonstrating the potential of advanced nuclear power to contribute meaningfully to the future energy landscape.

The successful development and commissioning of Kairos Power’s demonstration reactor are expected to lay the groundwork for cost-effective commercial-scale deployments, thereby enabling the provision of clean, stable energy to Google’s power-intensive data centre operations across the nation. The Hermes project will serve as a pivotal validation platform for the advanced features embedded within Kairos Power’s SMRs, including the use of molten-salt as a coolant and the deployment of ceramic fuel. Through this demonstration, Kairos Power aims to substantiate the technical and economic feasibility of its reactor technology, establishing that it can deliver energy both safely and reliably at competitive costs. Once operational, the Hermes reactor will serve as an exemplar for future commercial deployments, showcasing the practical application of advanced nuclear technology in addressing modern energy demands.

The construction of the Hermes reactor is also expected to deliver substantial benefits to the local economy in Tennessee, catalyzing job creation and stimulating economic activity. The project will generate opportunities for local suppliers, contractors, and workforce, thereby demonstrating the broader socio-economic value of investing in advanced nuclear power. By successfully realizing the Hermes reactor, Kairos Power will not only contribute to meeting Google’s carbon-free energy aspirations but also establish a model for other technology companies seeking to minimize their carbon footprint through innovative and sustainable energy solutions.