Google has signed an agreement with Kairos Power, a nuclear startup, to construct seven small modular reactors (SMRs) aimed at generating around 500 megawatts of carbon-free electricity. This initiative comes at a time when energy demand for data centers and AI is skyrocketing, pushing tech giants like Google to seek innovative solutions to power their infrastructure sustainably.
Details of the Agreement
The reactors are projected to be operational by 2030, a highly optimistic timeline considering recent projections by Kairos, which had previously estimated commercial operations to start in the early 2030s. It remains unclear whether the reactors will directly power Google’s data centers (a "behind the meter" setup) or feed electricity into the public grid, with Google claiming the carbon-free power through its deal with Kairos.
This partnership places Google in line with competitors like Microsoft and Amazon, who are also adopting nuclear energy to meet their vast power requirements. In September, Microsoft announced a partnership with Constellation Energy to restart the Three Mile Island reactor, while Amazon earlier this year disclosed plans for a hyperscale data center linked to a nuclear plant in Pennsylvania.
The Rise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Kairos Power is part of a new wave of nuclear startups aiming to revolutionize energy production through the use of SMRs. Traditional nuclear power plants are large, costly, and time-intensive to build, often supplying over 1,000 megawatts of electricity. The latest U.S. fission reactors, Vogtle Units 3 and 4, were completed in 2023 and 2024 after significant delays and a $17 billion cost overrun. By contrast, SMRs like those Kairos is developing are designed to be smaller, faster to construct, and more cost-effective by leveraging mass production techniques.
Kairos sets itself apart from other SMR companies by employing an innovative cooling system using molten salts of lithium fluoride and beryllium fluoride, rather than traditional water-cooled methods. While the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has already approved Kairos’ plans for a 35-megawatt demonstration reactor, the technology remains largely untested on a commercial scale. The economics of SMRs have yet to be proven, and Kairos faces challenges in pioneering a design that deviates from decades of industry practice.
Implications for the Future
If Kairos meets its 2030 deadline, it will be a significant achievement, but the company is locked in a competitive race with fusion startups aiming to commercialize their technology by 2035. As the energy demands of data centers continue to surge, nuclear power offers a promising, low-carbon alternative to traditional energy sources. However, whether SMRs can overcome regulatory, economic, and technical hurdles remains to be seen.
This partnership with Kairos positions Google at the forefront of adopting next-generation nuclear technology to address the evolving challenges of sustainable energy for tech infrastructure.
Details of the Agreement
The reactors are projected to be operational by 2030, a highly optimistic timeline considering recent projections by Kairos, which had previously estimated commercial operations to start in the early 2030s. It remains unclear whether the reactors will directly power Google’s data centers (a "behind the meter" setup) or feed electricity into the public grid, with Google claiming the carbon-free power through its deal with Kairos.
This partnership places Google in line with competitors like Microsoft and Amazon, who are also adopting nuclear energy to meet their vast power requirements. In September, Microsoft announced a partnership with Constellation Energy to restart the Three Mile Island reactor, while Amazon earlier this year disclosed plans for a hyperscale data center linked to a nuclear plant in Pennsylvania.
The Rise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Kairos Power is part of a new wave of nuclear startups aiming to revolutionize energy production through the use of SMRs. Traditional nuclear power plants are large, costly, and time-intensive to build, often supplying over 1,000 megawatts of electricity. The latest U.S. fission reactors, Vogtle Units 3 and 4, were completed in 2023 and 2024 after significant delays and a $17 billion cost overrun. By contrast, SMRs like those Kairos is developing are designed to be smaller, faster to construct, and more cost-effective by leveraging mass production techniques.
Kairos sets itself apart from other SMR companies by employing an innovative cooling system using molten salts of lithium fluoride and beryllium fluoride, rather than traditional water-cooled methods. While the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has already approved Kairos’ plans for a 35-megawatt demonstration reactor, the technology remains largely untested on a commercial scale. The economics of SMRs have yet to be proven, and Kairos faces challenges in pioneering a design that deviates from decades of industry practice.
Implications for the Future
If Kairos meets its 2030 deadline, it will be a significant achievement, but the company is locked in a competitive race with fusion startups aiming to commercialize their technology by 2035. As the energy demands of data centers continue to surge, nuclear power offers a promising, low-carbon alternative to traditional energy sources. However, whether SMRs can overcome regulatory, economic, and technical hurdles remains to be seen.
This partnership with Kairos positions Google at the forefront of adopting next-generation nuclear technology to address the evolving challenges of sustainable energy for tech infrastructure.