Will Nuclear Energy Power AI Data Centers? Timeline of Developments, Proponents and Safety Discussions

Note: Here are earlier updates.

Nuclear Power for AI Data Centers: December 2023 Updates

Multiple updates...

• Spain Nuclear Power Phaseout: Spain plans to close the country's nuclear plants by 2035 as it presented energy measures including extended deadlines for renewable projects and adjusted renewable auctions, Reuters reported.
• AI and Nuclear Power: Microsoft is experimenting with generative artificial intelligence to see if AI could help streamline the approval process for nuclear power to drive cloud services, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Nuclear Power for AI Data Centers: Earlier Updates

• November 2023 - Fusion Power Strategy: The U.S. at COP28 will lay out the first international strategy to commercialize nuclear fusion power, Reuters reported.
• November 2023 - Asset Lifecycle Management: McDermott has partnered with AVEVA and Aras to "develop its asset lifecycle management capability across the energy transition, oil and gas, and nuclear sectors," the three companies said.
• September 2023 - Microsoft Seeks to Hire Nuclear Technology Experts: Microsoft wants to integrate advanced nuclear technology into powering its data centers, according to a job posting from the cloud services and software giant.
• July 2023 - Partnership: IP3 and Green Energy Partners together are building the Surry Green Energy Center and related green data center assets in Virginia. On its own, IP3 is striving to be the "lead U.S. integrator for the development and operations of peaceful and secure nuclear power in the global marketplace."
• July 2023 - Microsoft Nuclear Energy Partnership: Constellation Energy has inked an agreement with Microsoft to "significantly reduce the carbon footprint of one of Microsoft’s data centers in Boydton, Virginia." Under the agreement, the facility will receive up to 35% in environmental attributes from nuclear power, complementing Microsoft's new wind and solar purchases, the companies said. The agreement puts Microsoft "very close to its goal of operating the data center on 100 percent carbon-free electricity around the clock," the companies said.
• July 2023 - Ukraine Energy Strategy: Amid Russia's continued attacks, Ukraine has been rearchitecting its energy grid to lean far more on renewable energy and nuclear energy, NREL reports.
• May 2023 - Higher Education: Purdue University is exploring whether small nuclear reactors can help the university to achieve zero carbon emissions. Purdue and Duke Energy released a preliminary feasibility report here.
• May 2023 - Bill Gates Funds Nuclear: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is betting on nuclear power to help the world to address its climate goals.
• April 2023 - European Union Lawsuit: Greenpeace said it’s suing the European Union’s executive over its decision to grant some gas and nuclear power stations a “fake” green label under EU sustainable finance rules, Bloomberg reported.
• March 2023 - France Nuclear Fuels: France is planning a renewed push for recognition of nuclear-derived fuels in European Union renewable energy targets, setting up a potential clash between countries seeking to approve the goals in March 2023, Reuters reported.
• March 2023 - UK Green Budget Concerns: Green campaigners say the UK’s new budget missed an opportunity to supercharge the country’s clean energy transition at a time when it desperately needs to decarbonize its electricity and heating infrastructure, Bloomberg reported. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced £20 billion ($24 billion) in funding for carbon capture and storage, as well as support for small modular nuclear reactors and corporate energy efficiency schemes. But the head of Britain’s treasury did not mention any new funding for renewable energy, despite hailing the country’s role as a world leader in offshore wind, Bloomberg said.

Note: Blog originally published September 23, 2024. We plan to make ongoing updates. If you spot nuclear power news related to data centers and IT services then please email me the details.