More than 10 years have passed since the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, a disaster that, for a long time, deterred many countries from exploring the use of nuclear power as a source of renewable energy. Yet, recently we are once again seeing an interest in nuclear energy, particularly as a power source for data centres. This piece explores why data centre operators are turning to nuclear energy and how advancements in technology along with strict safety measures can help reduce the chances of another nuclear disaster.
This year, many tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon have announced their plans to power their data centres using nuclear energy. In September, Microsoft announced its decision to purchase all power coming out of the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania, which costs US$ 1.6 billion to restart and produce 837 MW of power. This nuclear plant at Three Mile Island had also caused a terrible nuclear disaster a few decades ago. The accident occurred on March 28, 1979, when a mechanical failure caused the reactor to shut down. A relief valve got stuck open, but plant operators were unaware, leading to a loss of cooling water which ultimately caused the reactor core to overheat and partially melt down. Consequently, a small amount of radiation was released into the atmosphere.
Apart from adopting traditional nuclear power plants, Google has also shared their plans of using new technologies like small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) as a means to reach its net zero emissions goal by 2030.
Scars of Fukushima
Before exploring more about nuclear power, it is crucial to first understand what caused the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima. Usually at a nuclear power plant, uranium or plutonium fuel undergoes nuclear fission, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat. The fuel is contained in fuel rods that are surrounded by multiple safety barriers, including a reactor pressure vessel and containment building, to prevent the release of radiation.
However, when the earthquake and tsunami struck Fukushima, it led to an electrical grid failure and also destroyed the Daiichi nuclear power plant’s power back-up systems. Subsequently, the plant was unable to cool reactors after the shutdown, leading to the release of significant radiation, and consequently health and environmental complications.
Growing interest in Nuclear Energy
Today, as power consumption continues to increase rapidly, especially for data centres that could easily consume up to 100 MW, nuclear power is recognised as one of the more reliable forms of renewable energy available in the market. Unlike solar and wind power which are heavily reliant on environmental conditions, nuclear power has a higher capacity factor. According to the office of nuclear energy, nuclear power plants annually produce maximum power more than 92 percent of the time. This indicates that nuclear power might very well be one the best solutions to increase the world’s reliance on renewable energy.
In recent years, emerging technologies such as small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), which companies like Google are exploring, have gained attention as a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional nuclear power plants. According to the international atomic energy agency, SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW per unit. Benefits of SMRs include its small and modular design, allowing them to be built in areas not suitable for larger nuclear power plants. Additionally prefabricated units of SMRs can also be manufactured beforehand and shipped to site, making them more affordable to build than large power reactors.
SMRs are designed to be safer than traditional nuclear plants due to their simpler design and use of passive safety systems. Unlike conventional reactors, which require human intervention or external power to shut down in an emergency, SMRs rely on natural forces like gravity, convection, and self-pressurisation to manage heat and power automatically. They also operate at lower power and pressure levels, which reduces the risks involved. These built-in safety features mean that SMRs have a much lower chance of releasing harmful radioactivity into the environment, even in the event of an accident, making them a safer alternative.
As technology continues to improve, industry players also seek to make nuclear power safer to use while leveraging on its benefits as a good source of renewable energy. According to the International Energy Agency, data centres account for up to 1.5 percent of global electricity consumption and are responsible for 1 percent of energy related greenhouse gas emissions. As large contributors to the energy consumption it is more crucial than ever for data centre players to consider the use of nuclear energy to power their data centres. With more AI data centres on the rise, power demand within the data centre industry is set to continue soaring. While it is essential for the industry to continue advancing, it is equally important not to overlook its role in sustainability practices. Adopting nuclear power could be a viable solution for many, offering a cleaner and more sustainable energy option.