Nuked 
Hey followers! Today, we’re diving into an exciting world where technology and clean energy collide—nuclear fission startups backed by big tech giants. Let’s explore how these innovations might revolutionize power generation.
Artificial intelligence has made a huge impact on electricity demand in the U.S., prompting tech giants to look for reliable power sources. Many are turning to nuclear fission, which has been experiencing a resurgence after decades of decline. Unlike fusion, which is still experimental, fission provides a steady and predictable power supply essential for data centers.
New reactor designs are key to this revival. While traditional plants used massive reactors producing over a gigawatt, modern small modular reactors (SMRs) aim to deploy multiple smaller units, reducing costs and increasing flexibility. Companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are investing or signing agreements to secure nuclear power, demonstrating strong confidence in this technology.
One notable startup is Kairos Power, which uses molten fluoride salt for cooling its reactors, making them safer and more efficient. Backed by substantial government funding, Kairos plans to have small reactors operational in the coming years, with capacity around 75 megawatts each.
Oklo is another player, focusing on liquid metal cooled reactors suited for data centers. Despite licensing challenges, they secured a major data center power deal, showing promise. Saltfoss envisions deploying reactors on ships to create portable power barges, attracting significant investment from industry giants like Bill Gates and Peter Thiel.
Meanwhile, TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates, is developing the Natrium reactor, which combines molten salt energy storage with traditional reactors, offering a flexible and reliable power source. X-Energy has received large investments and is working on high-temperature reactors that promise to generate clean energy efficiently.
Overall, these startups reflect a major shift towards nuclear fission as a clean, reliable power source. With technological advances and big tech backing, nuclear energy might just be the superhero our planet needs!
