On October 29, 2024, Swiss startup Deep Atomic announced plans to develop a small modular reactor (SMR) designed to meet the increasing energy demands of data centers. The MK60 reactor will provide 60 megawatts of electricity and an additional 60 megawatts of cooling capacity.
The SMR is intended for installation at data center facilities, ensuring reliable, zero-emission power supply and energy-efficient cooling, thereby significantly reducing carbon emissions and helping data centers meet stringent sustainability goals.
Deep Atomic's design focuses on a smaller 60 MW capacity, contrasting with the trend toward larger 300 MW reactors in the emerging SMR sector. This scalable energy solution is particularly beneficial for data centers in remote locations with limited grid access.
Enhanced safety features allow for placement near urban areas, supporting edge data centers with reduced latency and faster service for high-performance computing. The smaller size also lowers initial capital costs and project risks, making it more appealing to operators.
Major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, have recently signed significant contracts for nuclear energy to power their energy-intensive data centers. Google, for instance, entered its first-ever contract for power procurement from multiple SMRs, responding to its growing energy needs driven by AI development.
In related news, a former U.S. nuclear power plant on a three-mile-long island in Pennsylvania will reopen to meet Microsoft's energy requirements for its data centers. Additionally, China has launched a new nuclear reactor capable of self-cooling, significantly reducing the risk of accidents at nuclear power plants.