Artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency, and data centers are expected to drive a sharp increase in the world’s electricity consumption, which is expected to nearly double between 2022 and 2026.

This spike emphasizes how urgently we need dependable and sustainable energy sources to power our increasingly digital society.

And of this, nuclear power, that produces substantial and uninterrupted electricity, can be one of the best sources of energy that can help data centers and AI systems.

It can help to power their computing and cooling infrastructure. Here’s how nuclear power can be a solution:

1. Low Carbon

Nuclear power produces electricity without releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, in contrast to fossil fuels. Furthermore, according to the UN Economic Commission for Europe, nuclear power has lifecycle emissions that are comparable to those of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, making it an essential weapon in the fight against climate change due to its long operational lifespan.

2.  Flexible

Nuclear technology developments have resulted in the creation of smaller, more adaptable reactors known as small modular reactors (SMRs). These small reactors can be placed almost anywhere, even directly next to data centers. Due to its adaptability, power is delivered more effectively where it is most needed and transmission loss is decreased.

3. Dependable

Intermittent energy sources, like solar and wind, can’t reliably supply the continuous power needed by data centers.

On the other hand, nuclear power can be instantly turned on and off to meet the demand for electricity in real time because it is a dispatchable energy source. This makes it extremely dependable and suitable for data centers that require a lot of energy to power.

4. Safe

Nuclear energy is among the safest sources of electricity, despite popular belief. When comparing nuclear power to coal, oil, and natural gas, the death rate per terawatt hour (TWh) of electricity produced is much lower.

Furthermore, safety risks are further reduced by the integration of cutting-edge safety features into contemporary reactor designs, like SMRs, which surpass even those of conventional nuclear reactors.

5. Optimal

Among all the common electricity sources, nuclear power has the highest capacity factor. This indicates that it produces electricity at a very high ratio between its actual output and its maximum capacity.

In simple words, around 93% of the time, nuclear power runs at full capacity, while the second-highest capacity factor energy source, geothermal, runs at full capacity 71% of the time. Third place goes to natural gas, which has a 54% capacity factor.