Numerous nuclear fission startups have received backing from significant tech companies such as Microsoft. This is the biggest turning point yet for ideas beyond the status quo to break into the clean energy market. Kairos Power has been an early leader in this effort. Google proved their confidence with the announcement that they will, by the year 2035, contract for the supply of about 500 megawatts of electricity. This strategic partnership is further evidence of growing global demand for nuclear energy as a dependable, low-carbon power source.
Kairos Power has particularly aggressive plans to deploy its first reactor by 2030. Since then, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved construction of two reactors in Tennessee, scheduled to start generating electricity in November 2024. These developments are part of a broader trend in which tech giants align with nuclear startups to meet energy demands sustainably.
Kairos Power’s Vision for Nuclear Energy
Kairos Power’s compact, flexible reactors are designed to make nuclear power energetic, inclusive, and accessible to a broader market. She added that the company’s first test units would be smaller than the eventual commercial reactors. Each test unit will produce 75 megawatts of reliable, baseload electricity. This phased approach reduces risk by starting at a smaller, more manageable scale and creating a major opportunity to test and refine technology before going to full-scale.
Google’s commitment to purchase electricity aligns with global trends pushing for cleaner energy sources. By backing Kairos Power, Google has made an important bet on a high-potential technology. This move reflects the company’s deep and growing dedication to sustainability. If leveraged well, this collaboration can have a tremendous effect on how we produce energy in the coming years, greatly decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels.
Additionally, the construction approval in Tennessee is an important landmark for Kairos Power. It represents an accomplishment in a typically staid and heavily regulated industry, where getting a new permit can take years. Construction is set to start in the coming weeks. The company’s actions today are a prelude to what it hopes will be a new era of nuclear power generation.
Other Key Players in Nuclear Fission Innovation
Like Kairos Power, there are other startups creating dirt-hellin’ technology in the nuclear spaces, and they’re ready to rock. Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates’ nuclear startup TerraPower is in the process of developing a much larger reactor, called Natrium. Intended to produce 345 megawatts of electricity, the inclusion of molten salt energy storage—which captures thermal energy for later use—greatly improves Natrium’s efficiency and reliability.
Natrium’s innovative design positions it as a significant player in the nuclear sector, showcasing how modern engineering can address contemporary energy challenges. Molten salt technology further improves the safety profile of these plants and increases control over energy output. This carries the clear benefit of being an extremely attractive option for the utility providers themselves.
In the advanced reactor space, Saltfoss, formerly known as Seaborg, is vertically integrating to develop small modular reactors (SMRs) cooled by molten salt. The company has built a partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries to build ships with reactors of Saltfoss design packed on board. Come June of 2024, Saltfoss should begin constructing its first power plant in Wyoming. This is a historic moment as the company seeks to position itself within the lucrative SMR market.
Navigating Regulatory Challenges
The road to innovation in nuclear energy hasn’t been without obstacles though. Oklo, the other startup in the field, suffered a blow when its first license application was rejected in January 2022. But as the company is apparently wont to do, it’s not deterred and still intends to resubmit its application in 2025. This decision is indicative of the burdens that all startups experience in attempting to traverse the regulatory maze that exists around nuclear energy.
Oklo has found a path toward striking a deal to provide data center operator Switch with 12 gigawatts of power by 2044. This agreement represents a vote of great confidence in Oklo’s future prospects. It is another sign of the growing pressure on big technology companies to adopt more sustainable energy solutions.
Of course, X-Energy is not the only company to have made such impressive strides! Just last year they raised $700 million in Series C-1 funding round, led by Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund. Those dollars will help X-Energy complete the design of its Xe-100 reactor, which is expected to produce 80 megawatts of electricity. This investment is an indication that big tech has begun to wake up to the promise of nuclear fission. They point to it as the best feasible alternative to fossil energy.
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