Google Wants To Buy Nuclear Reactors To Power Its AI Tools
Meet Google's next big bet: mini nuclear reactors.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 17 Oct 2024, 03:44 PM
Google is making a bold move towards nuclear energy in its attempt to continue serving AI tools to its users
Partnering with California-based Kairos Power, Google plans to acquire a fleet of small-scale nuclear reactors, a world-first corporate energy initiative.
The goal? To fuel the company's expanding artificial intelligence operations with reliable, carbon-free power, according to Mashable.
The agreement outlines the construction of six to seven compact reactors by 2035, with the first potentially operational by 2030.
As AI models like Google's own Gemini and rivals such as ChatGPT require immense computational power, Google sees nuclear energy as a solution to its escalating energy needs
Unlike other renewable sources, nuclear power provides a consistent, round-the-clock supply, ensuring Google's data centres can maintain a 24/7 carbon-free operation.
The energy demands tied to training advanced AI are staggering. Some estimates suggest that powering a single AI model could generate up to 626,000 pounds of CO2 emissions — comparable to 300 return flights between New York and San Francisco or five times the lifetime emissions of an average car, according to Mashable.
It's clear why tech giants are looking for cleaner, more efficient energy sources.
Google's move is part of a broader trend, with other major companies also stepping into the nuclear space
Recently, Microsoft announced a deal to revitalise the dormant Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, once infamous for the worst nuclear incident in US history.
Meanwhile, Amazon has similarly invested in nuclear energy as part of its strategy to power its growing AI infrastructure.
While the specific locations and financial details of Google's agreement remain undisclosed, the company has committed to securing 500 megawatts of nuclear power — sufficient to propel an electric car around the globe roughly 80 times.
