Data centers are an essential part of the ever-increasing adoption of AI, cloud computing and act as the foundation of the electrification and digitalisation of the global economy. However, powering data centers is not an easy task with concerns about the sustainability of requiring large amounts of power availability consistently. Locally sourced renewable energy can fall short of requirements, but nuclear power offers a low-carbon and stable alternative.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are an emerging form of nuclear technology designed to be smaller, safer, and faster to deploy than conventional nuclear plants. SMRs deliver the potential for enhanced operational safety, improved energy resiliency compared to renewable alternatives. They may offer reduced environmental impact due to scalable design and advanced risk mitigation protocols.
SMRs are compact and can be operational in a shorter timeframe when compared to large reactors. They also have a much smaller physical and environmental footprint, producing minimal waste and using significantly less water. This makes them a viable option for locations where land, water, or grid stability is limited.
SMRs offer carbon emissions as low as 50g COā per kWh, far less than the figures generated by gas or coal alternatives. They can pair with on-site renewable energy sources and energy storage systems, further enhancing efficiency, reliability, and compliance with green energy regulations.
However, regulatory environments for nuclear power are different in every country and public concerns about nuclear reactors remain despite new, safer technology. SMR designs are still new and not yet proven at commercial scale. Nations like the US, UK, Japan, and Sweden are actively investing in SMR technology, and companies like Microsoft are exploring SMRs to power some of their operations.
The data center industry is under increasing pressure to pursue sustainability and energy transparency and SMRs could present a solution. Their scalability makes them well-suited to the growing footprint of hyperscale data centers. Even microreactors that produce under 50 MW could be used for edge facilities or as an alternative to backup generators.
In conclusion, SMRs can be used as a part of a hybrid solution with renewable energy, battery storage, and AI-driven energy management systems. Their ability to provide clean, baseload power in compact, secure configurations can be the future of digital infrastructure.
To attend talks from industry leaders, connect with solution providers and network with peers, join us at the Constructing Green Data Centers: Revolutionizing Planning, Design, and Engineering Summit, taking place June 25-26, 2025 in Washington D.C., USA.
For more information, visit ourĀ websiteĀ or email us at info@innovatrix.eu for the event agenda. Visit ourĀ LinkedInĀ to stay up to date on our latest speaker announcements and event news
