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NN Asks: How can nuclear energy support the rising energy demand from data centers?
Nicolas Stauff
Data centers power our digital lives—along with many aspects of our economy and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Electricity demand is rising rapidly, with the domestic data center load projected to increase from 4 percent to 9 percent of U.S. electricity consumption by 2030. This surge is already reshaping utility planning, grid interconnection queues, and the market for reliable power nationwide.
Nuclear energy is well matched to data center needs, because it provides reliable, 24/7 electricity with stable long-term costs. Modern hyperscale data center campuses can require hundreds of megawatts for IT equipment and cooling, and many applications demand maximum uptime. At the same time, leading hyperscalers have aggressive decarbonization commitments that limit reliance on fossil generation. Data centers also require fiber connectivity, a skilled workforce, and local acceptance—yet they can deliver meaningful tax base and employment impacts, especially when coupled with a major energy project.
Jinan Yang, Stephen C. Wilson, Scott W. Mosher, Georgeta Radulescu
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 74 | Number 4 | November 2018 | Pages 277-287
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2018.1493325
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The ITER International Organization has developed a number of reference Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) models including the tokamak machine C-model, the Tokamak Complex model, and the neutral beam injection (NBI) systems model. The Tokamak Complex model primarily describes building structures beyond the bioshield. Representation of the tokamak and its systems are not included in this model. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Radiation Transport Group has conducted two ITER neutronic analysis model integrations: (1) integration of the tokamak C-model with the Tokamak Complex model for shutdown dose rate characterization in Port Cell 16 at level B1, and (2) integration of the NBI model with the Tokamak Complex model for estimating the spatial distribution of biological dose rate at levels L1, L2, and L3 of the Tokamak Complex. The integrated models were further extended to include models of system components that are essential to the neutronic analyses. This paper presents the approach and computer tools used to integrate existing reference models, describes the additional design details implemented in the integrated models, and provides representative neutronic calculations based on the extended models.
