Storing Heat for Later: Gates-Backed Nuclear Plant Targets AI Compute
Published: August 20, 08:17
Source: TechCrunch
TerraPower, the nuclear company founded by Bill Gates, is planning a 345 MW reactor to power data centers used in artificial intelligence work. The machine will be cooled by molten salt, and any extra heat it generates will be stored in a tank filled with liquid sodium. Thanks to that design, the plant can send extra steam to its turbines when needed without changing the reactor's own power output, which helps keep electricity supply steady.
The First Plant and What Makes It Different
TerraPower's first station is already under construction in Wyoming, and Meta agreed in January to buy eight Natrium plants from the company. The startup's second station, however, is meant for AI data centers, whose electricity use can swing sharply as graphics processors train models, handle requests, or sit unused. When demand jumps, the station can draw heat from storage and push more steam through the turbines, all while the reactor's output remains the same.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), existing nuclear plants can raise or lower output by about 5% of rated capacity per minute, while small modular reactors (SMRs) can do so by 10% per minute. In the United States, nuclear reactors operate at most 92.5% of the time, a sign of their reliability for grid stability. TerraPower has not named the buyer for its second station, but the technology could have a major impact on how AI facilities get their electricity.
The project highlights the growing need for steady, low-carbon power for AI data centers. As demand for computing capacity climbs, innovations in nuclear energy may prove essential for meeting that demand while curbing the industry's carbon footprint.
As the demand for sustainable energy solutions grows, innovative technologies are emerging to support power needs in various sectors. For instance, carbon dioxide-powered generators are being developed for military bases and data centers, showcasing a parallel effort to enhance energy efficiency and reliability in critical infrastructures. This trend reflects a broader shift towards integrating advanced energy sources in response to increasing electricity consumption.