Monday, September 25th 2023
Microsoft Plans to Build Nuclear-Powered Data Centers
Data center infrastructure is a complex matter. It requires shelter, cooling, and dedicated power generators that keep the servers running at full capacity and uptime. However, as these data centers can consume MegaWatts of power, it is becoming increasingly more work for hyperscalers like Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and others to ensure proper power supply to their data centers. Today, according to the job listing by Microsoft, we learn that the Redmond giant is preparing its infrastructure for nuclear power to reduce data centers' dependency on the outside grid. According to the job listing, Microsoft is seeking a "Principal Program Manager, Nuclear Technology, who will be responsible for maturing and implementing a global Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and microreactor energy strategy."
The SMR and microreactor systems are smaller-scale than traditional nuclear reactors that many power plants are using today and are more manageable due to their sheer size. The power plants based on the aforementioned technology can reside right next to the data center. We are sure that Microsoft had calculated the return on investment (ROI) of creating its power grid, as its electricity consumption will only increase in the coming years as the infrastructure expands. P. Todd Noe, director of nuclear technologies engineering at Microsoft, shared a note regarding the listing, stating: "This is not just a job, it is a challenge. By joining us, you will be part of a global movement that is transforming the way we produce and consume energy. You will also have the chance to grow your skills, advance your career, and make an impact on millions of lives." Below, you can see an example SMR from NuScale.
Source:
DatacenterDynamics
The SMR and microreactor systems are smaller-scale than traditional nuclear reactors that many power plants are using today and are more manageable due to their sheer size. The power plants based on the aforementioned technology can reside right next to the data center. We are sure that Microsoft had calculated the return on investment (ROI) of creating its power grid, as its electricity consumption will only increase in the coming years as the infrastructure expands. P. Todd Noe, director of nuclear technologies engineering at Microsoft, shared a note regarding the listing, stating: "This is not just a job, it is a challenge. By joining us, you will be part of a global movement that is transforming the way we produce and consume energy. You will also have the chance to grow your skills, advance your career, and make an impact on millions of lives." Below, you can see an example SMR from NuScale.
49 Comments on Microsoft Plans to Build Nuclear-Powered Data Centers
if it does proceed lets hope they not build it in earthquake prone zone
if its the latter...... "sure", but I am honestly worried if its the former !!!
news.microsoft.com/source/features/sustainability/project-natick-underwater-datacenter/
At least they're all about the environment eh... o_O
And at some point you need to store nuclear waste, which is radioactive for the next 30 to 60 years. Where do you store it you think?
And is MS paying for disposal of that nuclear waste too? Or do we just pass it through the enviroment?
Next milestone is Heat-16.
Plus, this is about SMRs, which use very little fissionable material. Ok, they don't output that much power either...
Whatever we get from renewables, is unsteady. If you have to have a backup for renewable, SMRs are just about the best candidate.
world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Beloyarsk-BN-800-fast-reactor-running-on-MOX
world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/MOX-fuel-tests-for-VVER-reactors-begin
rosatom.ru/en/press-centre/news/rosatom-starts-construction-of-unique-power-unit-with-brest-od-300-fast-neutron-reactor/
If AI/MI mass-infrastructure is what makes the mini/micro nuclear power concept
real.
It's been shelved tech for decades, and is literal 'boomer bait' for investments scams.
I mean, it does make sense, though...
So much (up to 60%) of the energy generated at power stations is lost in transmission. If you put the generation on site, you already get something like a 250% efficiency advantage simply by not having to transmit energy across the county/state/region...
The main advantage of SMRs, as I see it, is they don't use much fuel. Even in the case of a meltdown, they can't go Chernobyl.
When you compare nuclear to other options it's amazingly clean and safe.
14 juni 2023 — Finland is on the verge of becoming the first nation to bury spent nuclear fuel rods deep underground for the long term.
Its not a new thing, disposal of radioactive waste is pretty clean - you store it.
If you are going to distribute power generation , but have equal total power generation , then you will need the same amount of nuclear fuel and have the same amount of waste.Argonne releases small modular reactor waste analysis report
SMR's are about a tenth to a third the size of a common large scale commercial nuclear reactor.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) defines 'small' as under 300 MWe, and up to about 700 MWe as 'medium'
A subcategory of very small reactors – vSMRs – is proposed for units under about 15 MWe, especially for remote communities.
The idea of having a "vSMR in every single town" scares the hell out of me.