In a groundbreaking move for corporate energy agreements in the United States, Google has signed a Master Plant Development Agreement with Kairos Power to establish a fleet of 500 megawatts (MW) of small modular reactors (SMRs). This initiative marks the first corporate commitment to deploying multiple SMRs in the U.S., aimed at powering Google’s data centers with clean energy by 2035, with the first reactor expected to go operational by 2030.
A Strategic Partnership for Clean Energy
The collaboration positions Kairos Power, based in Alameda, California, as a leading player in the rapidly growing advanced nuclear sector. The company, which is developing a 140-MWe fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR), will oversee the development, construction, and operation of these advanced reactor power plants. Under power purchase agreements (PPAs), Kairos will provide energy, ancillary services, and environmental benefits from the reactors to Google.
Michael Terrell, Google’s Senior Director of Energy and Climate, emphasized the partnership’s goal to swiftly and safely bring the first KP-FHR online by 2030, with subsequent reactors added by 2035. The reactors will be strategically located to supply clean electricity directly to Google’s data centers.
Accelerating the Commercialization of Advanced Nuclear
This multi-plant agreement represents a significant advancement for Kairos, which is poised to play a pivotal role in commercializing advanced nuclear technology. Jeff Olson, Kairos Power’s Vice President of Business Development & Finance, stated that the agreement will help demonstrate the technical and market viability of advanced nuclear solutions, which are critical for decarbonizing power grids while meeting rising energy demands.
“This early commitment from Google provides a strong customer demand signal, reinforcing our investment in development and scaling up production capabilities,” Olson noted.
Google’s Commitment to Sustainable Energy
For Google, this agreement underscores its confidence in nuclear energy as a viable solution to meet the increasing energy requirements of its data centers. The tech giant has already secured 115 agreements for 14 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity and aims to catalyze new nuclear development to support its ambitious goals of net-zero emissions and 24/7 carbon-free energy.
Kairos Power’s Innovative Approach
Founded in 2016, Kairos Power has been pioneering molten salt technology through a “rapid iterative” development model. This includes hardware demonstrations and in-house manufacturing aimed at reducing costs and ensuring commercial viability. Recently, Kairos began construction on Hermes, a 35-MWth demonstration molten salt nuclear reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which is expected to come online by 2027.
The company has also started producing high-purity fluoride salt coolant at its new Salt Production Facility in Albuquerque, a critical step for the KP-FHR technology. The fluoride salt enables reactors to operate at low pressures while contributing to enhanced safety and simplified designs.
Additionally, Kairos is advancing its fuel development capabilities, which include developing laboratory facilities focused on innovation and prototyping for its fuel production ahead of commercial deployment.
Regulatory Milestones and Future Outlook
Kairos has achieved several regulatory milestones, notably receiving a construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the Hermes reactor—the first such approval for a non-water-cooled reactor in over five decades. The partnership with Google adds an extra layer of certainty to Kairos’ development efforts.
Mike Laufer, CEO and co-founder of Kairos Power, highlighted the strategic nature of the partnership: “By coming alongside in the development phase, Google is more than just a customer. They are a partner who deeply understands our innovative approach and the potential it can deliver.”
Google’s Broader Energy Strategy
Google’s commitment to sustainability, articulated in a blog post by Terrell, includes a goal to operate on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030. To achieve this, the company employs a three-pronged strategy: purchasing carbon-free energy, accelerating new technologies, and transforming the energy landscape through policy advocacy and partnerships.
While Google has been a pioneer in securing large-scale renewable energy agreements, the company recognizes the limitations of current methods, such as power purchase agreements that may not integrate well with broader grid planning and investment processes.
In a significant move, Google partnered with NV Energy to introduce a Clean Transition Tariff (CTT), enabling the use of enhanced geothermal and advanced nuclear power to meet carbon-free energy demands.
The Economic Potential of Nuclear Power
Google’s collaboration with Kairos aims to introduce 500 MW of new carbon-free power into U.S. electricity grids, thereby enhancing access to clean and affordable nuclear energy. The partnership seeks to expedite reactor deployments, essential for lowering costs and bringing innovative technologies to market faster.
The nuclear agreement holds two critical implications for Google. First, it responds to the urgent need for new electricity sources to support advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), which are crucial for scientific advancements and economic growth. Second, it positions nuclear energy as a reliable, carbon-free power source capable of meeting constant electricity demands.
Responding to Rising Energy Demands
As noted in Google’s recent environmental report, the company’s data centers consumed 24 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2023, amounting to about 7% to 10% of global data center consumption. However, this figure represents a 17% increase from the previous year, indicating a pressing need for reliable, scalable energy solutions as data center energy demands continue to rise.
Consulting firm McKinsey estimates that U.S. data center power demands could grow by 400 TWh by 2030, with nuclear power playing an essential role in meeting these needs. The tech sector’s transition to clean energy sources is not only pivotal for environmental sustainability but is also viewed as an economic driver.
Related topics:
