Issue #3: Bill Gates’ TerraPower Taps Nuclear Energy for Data Centers


Energy Insider

January 2025

Issue #3: Bill Gates’ TerraPower Taps Nuclear Energy for Data Centers

Nuclear power meets rising AI energy needs.

What’s Going On:

Bill Gates’ nuclear energy startup, TerraPower, is teaming up with Sabey Data Centers (SDC) to explore using advanced nuclear reactors to power data centers. The collaboration could revolutionize how tech companies meet the growing energy demands of AI-driven data centers.


Key Details:

The Partnership:

  • TerraPower and SDC have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop nuclear-powered data centers.
  • Initial plans target sites in Texas and the Rocky Mountain region for deploying TerraPower’s small modular reactor technology.

The Technology:

  • TerraPower’s Natrium reactors are smaller, more flexible, and designed to address safety and waste concerns.
  • A demonstration Natrium reactor in Wyoming is under construction and expected to go online by 2030.

The Energy Crunch:

  • Data center electricity demand has tripled in the last decade, driven by AI and cloud computing.
  • Companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are also exploring nuclear energy to meet this demand.

The Bigger Picture:

Why Nuclear?

  • Climate Impact: Nuclear energy provides a carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels.
  • Efficiency: Advanced reactors are designed for smaller sites and quicker deployment.

Challenges:

  • Regulatory Hurdles: TerraPower’s technology is still awaiting regulatory approval.
  • Environmental Concerns: Critics point to uranium mining impacts and the challenge of safely storing radioactive waste.

Industry Shift:

  • Tech companies increasingly seek reliable, clean energy sources as AI expands energy needs.
  • Microsoft's recent deal to restart a reactor at Three Mile Island shows how the industry is pivoting to nuclear.

The Takeaway:

With electricity demand skyrocketing, nuclear energy is emerging as a viable solution for powering data centers. TerraPower’s partnership with SDC highlights the tech industry’s growing reliance on advanced nuclear technology to meet its energy and sustainability goals. However, success will depend on overcoming regulatory and environmental challenges.


In this issue:

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Bill Gates’ TerraPower Taps Nuclear Energy for Data Centers


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Company Spotlight

EcoFlow

Who They Are
EcoFlow makes portable, eco-friendly power stations and smart energy solutions. Their goal is to help people and families get clean, reliable power at home, on the road, or anywhere energy is needed.

The Basics

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  • Where: San Francisco, California
  • What They Do: Create products that let you power your home, RV, or outdoor adventures using clean energy.
  • Website: ecoflow.com

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Why It Matters
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Learn more at ecoflow.com.

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