According to Cointelegraph, a new paradigm in nuclear energy production could significantly impact artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency mining, though it requires substantial upfront investment in relatively untested technologies.

The United States is set to develop and deploy its first commercial small modular reactor (SMR). These reactors have a much smaller infrastructure footprint compared to traditional fission reactor plants and are considered to be much safer. SMRs can be manufactured in a factory and shipped to a client’s location, capable of producing up to 300 megawatts of energy and potentially being built almost anywhere.

The advent of SMRs could be a game-changer for large organizations such as AI training and data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities. Many large mining companies are exploring nuclear power as a safe, clean alternative to traditional energy infrastructure. However, the high upfront costs of construction and availability have been significant barriers. SMRs address some of these issues by being easier to develop, requiring less maintenance and operational staff, and being more environmentally friendly. Despite these advantages, they still require a significant initial investment.

Kairos Power, a US-based nuclear engineering company, recently signed a long-term deal with Google to develop and bring the company’s first SMR online by 2030, with further rollouts planned through 2035. Michael Terrell, senior director of energy and climate at Google, praised the deal as a significant step towards clean energy, aiming to add 500 MW of new 24/7 carbon-free power to US electricity grids.

Google’s commitment to developing the first commercial US-based SMR manufacturing partnership marks a significant milestone for the nascent commercial nuclear power industry. While not every company has the financial resources of Google-parent corporation Alphabet, the cost of entry for on-site nuclear power is expected to decrease as the first generation of SMRs are manufactured and improved over time. Ultimately, SMRs could become the most economically efficient and environmentally friendly method for energy generation in the cryptocurrency mining industry, barring a breakthrough in fusion technology.