Chuang reported in October 11 2024 that the rapid development of AI, along with the expansion of power-intensive industries like semiconductors and the electrification of vehicles and appliances, is driving a surge in electricity demand. This trend could potentially hinder the growth of data systems.
Credit: NuScale
Related stories:
How AI drives the renewed interest in nuclear energy (here),
Taiwan's AI data center boom faces power bottleneck (here), and
Taiwan's AI surge faces power supply hurdles, says tech leader (here).
Will Nuclear Energy Power AI Data Centers? Timeline of Developments, Proponents and Safety Discussions
Panettieri reported in September 26, 2024 that nuclear energy is emerging as a possible solution to power AI data centers without generating carbon emissions. But business strategies, government policies and consumer opinions about safety vary from country to country. The central issue facing data center providers and cloud-scale companies is easily explained:
Amid that backdrop, numerous parties -- including venture capitalists, private equity firms, energy companies and technology businesses -- are pushing nuclear energy and SMRs (small modular reactors) as a power source for data centers. But some critics [who?] express SMR and nuclear energy safety concerns, while other critics [who?] worry about safely storing nuclear waste for decades to come.[Bias Alert Here with BS]
Check this blog regularly for status updates tracking the latest nuclear reactor and power projects in the data center and IT services sector, associated government policy updates, and the debate about nuclear energy safety.
Nuclear Power for AI Data Centers: September 2024 News, Milestones, Policies and Safely Debates
Multiple updates...
Nuclear Power for AI Data Centers: August 2024 Updates
Multiple updates...
Startup Funding: Aalo Atomics has raised $27 million in Series A funding. Key investors include 50Y, Valor Equity Partners, Harpoon Ventures, Crosscut, SNR, Alumni Ventures, Preston Werner, Earth Venture, Garage Capital, Wayfinder, Jeff Dean, Nucleation Capital, and more. Special thanks to Earth Venture Capital for the heads up.
M&A - Nuclear Energy Consulting: Private equity firm Pelican Energy Partners has acquired GSE Solutions, a provider of nuclear engineering solutions that "support the future of clean-energy production and decarbonization initiatives of the power industry."
New Power Plants for Data Centers?: The immense energy demands of data centers will likely require building natural gas-burning power plants, solar and wind farms and perhaps small nuclear reactors, said new American Electric Power CEO Bill Fehrman, according to Bloomberg.
Nuclear Power for AI Data Centers: July 2024 Updates
Multiple updates...
M&A - Nuclear Waste Management: Perma-Fix Environmental Services has acquired the Environmental Waste Operations Center (EWOC) near Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Australia Nuclear Debate: A plan by Australia's federal opposition that would slow the roll-out of renewable power and build a network of nuclear reactors has set the scene for a divisive confrontation on climate policy ahead of an election expected in 2024, Reuters reported.
Italy - Nuclear Energy Policy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government is planning to reintroduce nuclear energy 35 years after Italy shut down its last atomic plant, in a bid to lower the country’s carbon emissions, News.Az reports citing the Financial Times.
United States - Virginia Nuclear Power: Dominion Energy Virginia has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to determine the feasibility of small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology. Proponents believe SMR technology can deliver nuclear power in a cost-effective, carbon-free way -- though critics continue to worry about the long-term storage and disposal of nuclear waste.
Nuclear Power for AI Data Centers: June 2024 Updates
Multiple updates...
China vs. United States - Nuclear Power: The U.S. may be 15 years behind China on developing high-tech nuclear power, Reuters reported, as Beijing's state-backed technology approach and extensive financing give it the edge, according to the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, a Washington-based nonpartisan research institute.
United States - Nuclear Energy Power Plants: The United States could revive some of its recently retired nuclear power plants to help meet rising demand for zero-emissions electricity, or add reactors to existing sites, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told Reuters.
AI Data Centers Require U.S. Nuclear Power: Surging electricity demand for artificial intelligence and data centers means next-generation nuclear power “can’t fail,” according to a top U.S. Energy Department official, Bloomberg reported.
South Korea Energy Strategy: South Korea should target major additions of renewables and nuclear power by the late 2030s to curb emissions and meet surging demand from data centers to semiconductor manufacturing, according to a government proposal, as reported by Bloomberg.
Note: Continue to page 2 for earlier updates involving nuclear power for AI data centers.
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