Part 1 of 2 Parts
     Data centers consume a lot of electricity. Unfortunately, a big part of that is generated by burning fossil fuels. It would be better if a data center could generate its own power rather than depend on local utilities. It might be possible for small modular reactors (SMRs) to generate the power needed in data centers.
     Alan Howard and Vladimir Galabov are analysts for Omdia. In a recent report, they made a case for using SMRs to power large data centers. SMRs are just miniaturized nuclear fission reactors. Instead of a massive facility producing gigawatts or more of power. SMRs are designed to individually generate power in the hundreds of megawatt range. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that SMRs can produce from twenty to three hundred megawatts of power, depending on the specific design.
     SMRs are not a new concept. They have been powering U.S. Navy vessels for almost seventy years without major problems. The first nuclear powered naval vessel was the U.S.S. Nautilus in 1955.  Since then, nuclear power has been a mainstay of U.S. Navy propulsion. Today, the U.S. operates a fleet of eighty-three nuclear-powered ships.
     It has only been more recently that nuclear startups have begun developing and deploying SMRs in a commercial setting. Two Russian-built SMRs capable of generating thirty-five megawatts each are being utilized on a floating power plant off the Arctic coast of Russia.
    With respect to the question of how many SMRs it will take to free a data center from the grid, the answer will depend on several factors.
     The hyperscalars and cloud providers are reluctant to discuss how much power their data centers consume. The megawatt ratings often cited by colocation providers really reflects the upper limits of the facility’s sellable capacity. It does not match the actual power draw or the significant fraction of power required to cool them.
     For example, consider a data center campus consuming about one hundred and twenty-five megawatts to cover computation, thermal management and ancillary systems. Assuming that each SMR produces thirty-five megawatts, four such reactors should supply the needed energy.
     SMRs are definitely able to power a data center. Analysts say that the typical two hundred thousand square foot facility probably is not a good candidate for an onsite nuclear power plant. Instead, analysts suggest that SMRs would be more appropriate for large data center campuses. This would be especially true for those located in power-limited regions like Virginia or Ireland.
     According to the Omdia report, the sweet spot for SMRs will probably be for facilities exceeding one hundred megawatts. Smaller data center could also partner with locate utilities to form co-ops in which other high power demand industrial plants could purchase excess capacity.
     Microreactors are very small nuclear reactors that produce from one to twenty megawatts. They may be a viable option for smaller data centers or as an alternative to battery or diesel generators commonly used as backup power in the event of an outage.
Please read Part 2 next