Google announced today an agreement with nuclear technology company Kairos Power aimed at deploying a fleet of small advanced nuclear power projects across the U.S. to provide up to 500 MW of carbon-free energy, and helping the technology giant to meet its climate and clean energy goals, as its growing data center footprint consumes increasing amounts of electricity and produces more greenhouse gas emissions.
The deal marks the first-ever agreement to purchase nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors (SMRs), as well as Google’s first advanced nuclear deal, according to Google Senior Director, Energy and Climate, Michael Terrell.
The agreement comes as Google and its tech giant peers look to address the growing emissions impact of their rapidly expanding data center footprints. While Google has set 2030 goals to reach net zero emissions across its operations and value chain, and to reduce 50% of its combined Scope 1, 2, and 3 absolute emissions, on a 2019 basis, the company recently reported that its emissions increased by 13% in 2023, and are up by 48% since 2019, as its growing data center electricity consumption has outpaced its ability to bring carbon free energy projects online. Microsoft also recently announced a purchase power agreement enabling the restart of the Three Mile Island Unit 1 nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania to help match the power its data centers in PJM grid area with carbon-free energy.
Google has also set a goal in 2020 to operate on 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) by 2030, matching electricity demand with CFE supply every hour of every day, in every region where the company operates.
In a blog post announcing the new agreement, Terrell said:
“This agreement is part of our efforts to develop and commercialize a broad portfolio of advanced clean electricity technologies to power our global data centers and offices. This approach will complement our use of variable renewables, like solar and wind, and help us reach our ambitious 24/7 carbon-free energy and net-zero goals.”
Founded in 2016, California-based Kairos Power is developing small modular reactors using a molten-salt cooling system, combined with a ceramic, pebble-type fuel, to efficiently transport heat to a steam turbine to generate power, which allows the reactor to operate at low pressure, enabling a simpler more affordable nuclear reactor design.
Under the new agreement, Kairos will build and operate a series of SMRs located in relevant service territories to supply clean electricity to Google data centers, and will sell environmental attributes to Google under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The first SMR is anticipated to be online by 2030, followed by additional reactor deployments through 2035, enabling up to 500 MW of energy production.
Mike Laufer, Kairos Power CEO and co-founder, said:
“Our partnership with Google will enable Kairos Power to quickly advance down the learning curve as we drive toward cost and schedule certainty for our commercial product. 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 added that by procuring electricity from an “orderbook” of reactors it will help accelerate repeated reactor deployments to lower costs and bring the technology to market.
In a social media post announcing the agreement, Google Chief Sustainability Officer Kate Brandt said:
“This is a huge milestone in Google’s 24/7 carbon-free energy journey and builds on our efforts to meet electricity demand cleanly and reliably. Through this first-of-its-kind agreement, we aim to rapidly bring Kairos’s technology to market so that more communities can benefit from clean, safe, and affordable nuclear power.”
Google Signs First Nuclear Energy Deal to Address Growing AI Carbon Footprint
