Google has signed a groundbreaking agreement with Kairos Power to purchase nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors, marking a significant step towards accelerating the clean energy transition in the US. This corporate agreement is the first of its kind and aims to bring Kairos Power’s first SMR online by 2030, followed by additional reactor deployments through 2035.
The deal will enable up to 500 MW of new 24/7 carbon-free power to US electricity grids, helping more communities benefit from clean and affordable nuclear power. Michael Terrell, Senior Director of Energy and Climate at Google, emphasized the importance of this agreement in supporting AI technologies that are driving national competitiveness and economic growth.
Kairos Power’s technology uses a molten-salt cooling system and ceramic fuel to generate power efficiently, offering a passively safe and more affordable nuclear reactor design.
Accelerating Clean Energy Transition with Advanced Nuclear Power
Google has taken a significant step towards accelerating the clean energy transition in the United States by signing the world’s first corporate agreement to purchase nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors (SMRs) developed by Kairos Power. This partnership aims to bring online up to 500 MW of new, 24/7 carbon-free power to U.S. electricity grids by 2035, helping more communities benefit from clean and affordable nuclear power.
The initial phase of work is focused on bringing Kairos Power’s first SMR online quickly and safely by 2030, followed by additional reactor deployments through 2035. This agreement is crucial for two primary reasons: firstly, the grid requires new electricity sources to support AI technologies that are driving major scientific advances, improving services for businesses and customers, and boosting national competitiveness and economic growth. Secondly, nuclear solutions offer a clean, round-the-clock power source that can help reliably meet electricity demands with carbon-free energy every hour of every day.
The Need for Advanced Nuclear Energy
Developing and commercializing advanced clean electricity technologies are essential to power Google’s global data centers and offices. This approach will complement variable renewables like solar and wind, helping the company reach its ambitious 24/7 carbon-free energy and net-zero goals. The next generation of advanced nuclear reactors offers a new pathway to accelerate nuclear deployment thanks to their simplified design and robust, inherent safety.
These reactors’ smaller size and modular design can reduce construction timelines, allow deployment in more places, and make the final project delivery more predictable. Moreover, investing in advanced nuclear technology can provide direct economic benefits to communities across the U.S., as nuclear power has the highest economic impact of any power generation source, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Kairos Power’s Technology: A New Pathway for Nuclear Deployment
Kairos Power’s technology utilizes a molten-salt cooling system combined with a ceramic, pebble-type fuel to transport heat to a steam turbine and generate power efficiently. This passively safe system allows the reactor to operate at low pressure, enabling a simpler and more affordable nuclear reactor design.
Using an iterative development approach, Kairos Power will complete multiple successive hardware demonstrations ahead of its first commercial plant. This will enable critical learnings and efficiency improvements that accelerate reactor deployments, as well as greater cost certainty for Google and other customers. The company has already reached several technical milestones toward deploying its first power-producing reactor and unlocking the path to long-term commercial scale.
Scaling Advanced Technologies for Wider Benefits
By procuring electricity from multiple reactors – what experts call an “orderbook” of reactors – Google will help accelerate the repeated reactor deployments needed to lower costs and bring Kairos Power’s technology to market more quickly. This is a crucial part of the company’s approach to scale the benefits of advanced technologies to more people and communities.
Google has previously demonstrated its commitment to scaling advanced clean electricity technologies through partnerships with developers like Fervo Energy, which led to the completion of a first-of-its-kind enhanced geothermal project last November. The company will continue working to accelerate a diverse portfolio of advanced clean electricity technologies and bring new 24/7 clean, affordable energy onto every grid where it operates.
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