Nuclear for Data Center Power Needs

Energy demand from Data Centers grows faster than power generation available at the nation’s electricity grid. Data Centers consider to “bring their own power,” i.e., produce power directly on-site at the Data Center. Nuclear integration could reduce the carbon footprint for energy, heating, and cooling needs during nominal operation. In addition, clean on-site power at Data Centers provides an opportunity to help decarbonize and stabilize the electricity grid. Decarbonization of the energy sector is best accomplished considering the intricate interplay between dynamic electricity availability from renewable energy sources and clean firm baseload such as nuclear power generation. With increasing variability in load demand, such as electric vehicles, compounded by increased volatility from renewable energy sources, flexible loads coupling zero-carbon clean firm energy sources with industrial power consumers that can shed load on short notice to benefit the energy grid. Data centers represent a prime candidate for this opportunity. As a service to the grid, data centers could not only curtail some operations but make local energy from the on-site nuclear plant available. This can provide substantial value to the grid.