Google Partners with Kairos Power for Clean Nuclear Energy
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Google wants to help the planet by using clean energy. It has signed an important agreement with a company called Kairos Power. Kairos Power will build small nuclear reactors that make energy. These reactors are safe and clean. Google will use this power for its data centers in the U.S.
Google hopes the first reactors will work by the year 2030. This is a big step because it means Google can use clean energy all the time. Google has been working on clean energy projects for more than 10 years. It also uses energy from the sun and wind, but nuclear power will help even more. Nuclear power can give energy 24 hours a day.
This new power is very important because it will help make clean energy cheaper and easier to use. It can also help create many new jobs for people. These jobs will be in the U.S. where the reactors will be built. Google is working with many companies to help communities get this clean energy.
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Google is taking a major step to support clean energy. It has signed an agreement with Kairos Power, a company that will provide nuclear energy using small modular reactors (SMRs). These reactors are smaller and safer than traditional nuclear power plants. They will generate clean energy to power Google’s data centers in the U.S., helping the company achieve its goal of 24/7 carbon-free energy.
The first reactor is expected to be ready by 2030, and more reactors will follow by 2035. In total, these reactors will produce up to 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity, which is enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes. This clean energy will also support the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI), which requires a lot of electricity to run. Nuclear power can provide energy all day and night, unlike solar and wind energy, which depend on the weather.
In addition to providing clean energy, this project will create many high-paying jobs in the U.S. Building and operating the reactors will require thousands of workers. The U.S. Department of Energy says nuclear power has the highest economic impact of any energy source. This means that nuclear power can provide long-term benefits to communities where the reactors are located. Google is excited to be a leader in this clean energy transition.
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In its quest to accelerate the transition to clean energy, Google has signed the world’s first corporate agreement to purchase electricity from small modular reactors (SMRs). These reactors, developed by Kairos Power, represent the next generation of nuclear technology. Unlike traditional nuclear power plants, SMRs are designed to be smaller, safer, and more flexible in terms of location. The first SMR is expected to be operational by 2030, with additional reactors coming online by 2035.
This agreement is part of Google’s broader effort to achieve 24/7 carbon-free energy across its global operations. Nuclear energy, in particular, offers a reliable source of power that can be produced around the clock, unlike solar or wind power, which are dependent on weather conditions. Google’s data centers, which power everything from search to artificial intelligence (AI) applications, require vast amounts of electricity. SMRs are expected to provide up to 500 MW of new power to the U.S. grid, making a significant contribution toward decarbonizing the energy sector.
Google’s decision to invest in nuclear power is also expected to deliver economic benefits to communities in the U.S. Nuclear power is known for creating high-paying, long-term jobs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the nuclear sector has the highest economic impact of any form of energy generation. The agency estimates that by 2050, the U.S. will need 200 gigawatts (GW) of advanced nuclear capacity, which could create over 375,000 jobs.
Kairos Power’s technology uses a unique molten-salt cooling system combined with a ceramic pebble fuel design. This allows the reactors to operate at lower pressures, making them safer and more cost-effective. Kairos is currently building its first demonstration reactor in Tennessee, which received a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission earlier this year. The lessons learned from this project will help streamline the deployment of future reactors and reduce costs for customers like Google.
