In a significant move to address climate change concerns, Google has announced a partnership to power its data centers with nuclear energy. The tech giant plans to source nuclear power from small modular reactors (SMRs), developed by energy firm Kairos Power, marking a shift towards clean energy solutions to reduce its carbon footprint. The initiative is part of Google’s broader effort to combat the environmental impacts of rising energy demands from artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency technologies.
Google expects the deal to generate 500 megawatts of clean energy, which will be critical in running its operations. This transition to nuclear energy comes at a time when global efforts to limit carbon emissions are intensifying, with increasing attention on how energy-intensive technologies, such as AI and crypto, contribute to the climate crisis.
Addressing the climate Crisis through nuclear power
In a press release, Google emphasized that the project’s initial phase aims to bring Kairos Power’s first small modular reactor online by 2030. Following this, additional reactors are expected to be deployed through 2035, adding further clean energy capacity.
Nuclear energy, unlike fossil fuels, does not produce carbon emissions, making it an attractive option for tech companies seeking to lower their environmental impact. The energy is generated through nuclear reactions in reactors, which release vast amounts of heat used to produce electricity. Given the enormous energy consumption required for data centers that run AI applications, nuclear energy could provide a reliable and eco-friendly solution.
“This partnership with Kairos Power is an important step in reducing our carbon footprint while ensuring that we have access to sustainable, affordable, and abundant energy sources,” Google said. However, the deal is still subject to approval by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other legal entities before it can be fully implemented.
Energy demands of AI and cryptocurrency technologies
As AI and cryptocurrency technologies grow, so does their electricity consumption. According to a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), these technologies now account for approximately 2% of global electricity use and nearly 1% of worldwide emissions. With the rising popularity of AI tools like ChatGPT, the demand for electricity is only expected to increase.
For example, ChatGPT queries require about ten times more electricity than a traditional Google search. The IMF report predicts that crypto mining and AI data centers’ electricity use could rise to 3.5% of global electricity consumption within the next three years. This has sparked concerns about the environmental impact of these emerging technologies, particularly as the world grapples with the broader challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Google’s transition to nuclear energy aligns with global efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change while continuing to support the rapid expansion of AI and blockchain technologies.
The role of nuclear energy in data centers
Data centers, which are the backbone of modern AI applications, require massive amounts of energy to process the vast quantities of data involved in machine learning algorithms. Nuclear energy, as a stable and scalable clean energy source, could be a crucial part of the solution for meeting these high energy demands while limiting emissions.
By tapping into nuclear power, Google is seeking to ensure that its AI operations are more sustainable over the long term. Nuclear energy’s ability to provide a consistent power supply, unlike intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind, makes it an appealing option for data centers that need reliable, 24/7 power.
This move by Google also comes as part of a larger trend in the tech industry, where companies are looking for ways to become carbon neutral. Google, in particular, has made significant commitments to sustainability, with a goal of running entirely on carbon-free energy by 2030.
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Climate change warnings heighten urgency
Google’s push for clean energy comes in the wake of alarming climate forecasts. In June 2023, the United Nations issued a warning that there is an 80% chance global temperatures will temporarily exceed the 1.5°C threshold between 2024 and 2028—a key target set by the Paris Climate Agreement. In 2023, the global average near-surface temperature reached 1.45°C, edging dangerously close to this critical limit.
Exceeding the 1.5°C target could have devastating consequences, including more frequent and severe droughts, flooding, and extreme weather events. These warnings have prompted governments and corporations alike to ramp up their climate mitigation efforts.
Google’s decision to move towards nuclear power reflects its recognition of the urgent need to reduce its carbon emissions while maintaining its operations. Although the company did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, the shift to nuclear energy is seen as an important step in balancing the growing demand for AI with the necessity of addressing the climate crisis.
By investing in innovative clean energy solutions like SMRs, Google is not only helping to meet its own energy needs sustainably but is also setting an example for other tech companies facing similar challenges in the age of AI and climate change.
