Power demands from data centers are growing with the ubiquitous use of artificial intelligence. Major tech companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are investing in nuclear power. Enter Small Modular Reactors or SMRs. These novel nuclear reactors are faster to build, more cost-effective, and still produce around 300MW. A typical nuclear power plant can generate one gigawatt of output.
SMRs can be manufactured in one location and assembled on-site, drastically reducing the construction costs for nuclear reactors that generate about 300MW. There are even microreactors, which generate tens of megawatts. While SMRs do not operate much differently than traditional-sized reactors, the efficiency gains may prove vital for our clean energy future.
