IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP)’s Post

Picture this: smaller, compact nuclear reactors nestled within the numerous data centres scattered around megacities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and so on. At first glance, it evokes a sense of unease, right? Hardly anyone has forgotten disasters like Chornobyl, Fukushima, and others. I pondered the rationale behind Equinix, the leading data centre colocation provider globally, signing a preliminary agreement with Oklo Inc, a company specialising in small modular reactors (SMRs), to procure nuclear energy through a $25 million prepayment. However, these developments are at least half a decade away, and the timeline would stretch more for a country like India. And on the flip side, the humongous need for more energy-hungry data centres demands a move towards more sustainable energy sources like nuclear fission and fusion. Additionally, companies like NuScale Power, Kairos Power, X-energy and Rolls-Royce SMR are actively developing safer and more efficient SMRs designed to shut down safely without operator intervention in a worst-case scenario. These would also generate less nuclear waste, as they require refuelling every 3-7 years or even up to 40 years, compared to 1-2 years for conventional nuclear power plants. Jay Dietrich from the Uptime Institute has also highlighted that SMRs provide reliable, carbon-free electricity, which can complement intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to help data centres become more sustainable. Watch Episode 8 of 'Story Kya Hai' for more details:

🔋 Understanding Nuclear Batteries: A New Era of Energy Nuclear batteries, also known as betavoltaic or radioisotope batteries, harness energy from radioactive decay to produce a steady flow of electricity. Unlike traditional batteries that rely on chemical reactions, these use the natural energy released by specific isotopes as they break down. Here’s a simplified look at how they work and discharge: Energy Source: A radioactive isotope (like tritium or nickel-63) emits beta particles as it decays. These particles are high-energy electrons with the potential to generate power. Conversion Process: The beta particles hit a semiconductor material, creating electron-hole pairs that flow through the circuit as an electric current. This conversion is similar to how solar cells work, except nuclear batteries rely on radioactive decay rather than sunlight. Discharge Characteristics: Nuclear batteries provide a low, constant energy output over a long period. The decay process is predictable, meaning the power output declines very gradually—typically over decades. This makes them ideal for applications where long-term, low-power energy is essential, like space probes, pacemakers, and remote sensors. As we look toward the future, nuclear batteries hold incredible promise for reliable, maintenance-free energy sources. They might not power your smartphone yet, but they’re transforming what’s possible in extreme and inaccessible environment. #NuclearBattery #Betavoltaics #CleanEnergy #RadioactiveDecay #EnergyStorage #NuclearTechnology #FutureOfEnergy #EnergyInnovation #SustainableEnergy #AdvancedTechnology #SpaceExploration #RemotePower #TechInnovation #BatteryTechnology #LongTermPower #LowPowerDevices #EnergySolutions #GreenTech #RenewableEnergy #SmartEnergy

Nuclear power output hits new record IEA predicts #Stat_AS >nuclear power output to increase by 3% in 2025 and 2026 >it would reach 2,915 TWh -previous was 2,809 TWh in 2021 >currently about 440 power reactors World wide in operation >about 65 reactors are under construction, 90 reactors are planned >IEA predicts a record low fossil fuel share (54%) due to growing Renewables.

🔌 Powering the AI Revolution with Nuclear Energy 🌍 As demand for energy skyrockets due to advancements in artificial intelligence, tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are turning to nuclear power as a viable, emissions-free solution. Recent announcements reveal significant investments in small modular reactors and initiatives to revive defunct plants, such as Pennsylvania's iconic Three Mile Island. This shift from renewable sources like wind and solar reflects the need for a reliable power supply that can support the burgeoning data center operations. By embracing nuclear energy, these companies aim not only to meet their ambitious sustainability goals but also to ensure the continuous power needed for AI-driven innovations. The future is bright, and it’s nuclear! ⚡ #NuclearEnergy #ArtificialIntelligence #Sustainability #TechInnovation

After spending time in North Wales and seeing the countless wind farms, it really does draw your attention to the energy mix and future requirements. It seems by the time green initiatives are up and running to match demand, even further demand is requested. Especially at a time where AI, AGI, and power for data centers and super computation are needed. There's a lot of talk about micro nuclear plants (SMR Small Modular Reactors) by data centers - how do people feel we will be able to meet energy needs?

NUCLEAR POWER PROJECTS : Tarapur: A Pioneer in India's Nuclear Energy Program: Celebrating 54 years of power generation. #nuclearpower #AtomicEnergy #EnergyIndependence #tarapuratomicpowerstation #nuclearhistory #NuclearEnergy #powergeneration #energy #technology #2bair

This is why nuclear energy works. Research into safe storage of waste improves by the day, and Canada has locations where it can be safely stored. We can be net zero emissions using this tech.

Could this be an unforeseen outcome of the AI Hype: greater nuclear adoption? Powerlines are unable to keep up with the energy requirements of AI models, data centers, and enterprise-wide adoption. This has seen a greater push for renewable energy to meet the unmet demand. This necessity might finally lead to nuclear energy getting the love it deserves. I hope it works out this way, instead of the increased utilization of fossil fuels to meet this demand. Source: https://lnkd.in/dmRFeiV4?

Going small is indeed a innovative approach to bring down costs. But we should have a robust safety norms and recycling mechanism end to end. Smaller reactors (SMR) should not create nuclear waste challenges. Best wishes. #India #Nucleareindustry #CircularEconomy

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are the future for delivering low-carbon electricity, managing renewable intermittency and ensuring baseload concerns of switching to renewable. Unlike large nuclear projects they can be executed anywhere expeditiously and can be mass produced.