Amazon Web Services (AWS) is playing a significant role in the United States’ efforts to develop and deploy advanced and potentially autonomous nuclear reactors. This strategic push is driven by the soaring energy demands of data centers, particularly those supporting artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, alongside the broader national goal of achieving carbon-free energy.
Strategic Partnerships for Nuclear Energy Development
AWS is making substantial investments and forging partnerships to advance nuclear energy technology. The company has committed over $500 million to explore and develop small modular reactors (SMRs), a flexible and scalable form of nuclear technology designed for quicker construction and deployment compared to traditional nuclear plants.
Collaborations with Energy Providers
- Dominion Energy (Virginia): AWS has partnered with Dominion Energy to investigate developing an SMR near the North Anna nuclear power station in Virginia. This collaboration aims to provide at least 300 megawatts of power to support Virginia’s increasing infrastructure, where demand is projected to rise by 85% over the next 15 years. Virginia is a critical hub for data centers, hosting nearly half of all U.S. data centers.
- Energy Northwest (Washington State): AWS is funding the development and construction of four SMRs in Washington state with Energy Northwest, a consortium of public utilities. These reactors, utilizing technology from X-energy, are expected to initially generate approximately 320 megawatts, with the potential to expand to 960 megawatts, capable of powering over 770,000 homes. Amazon will have the option to purchase power from these SMRs to support its Pacific Northwest operations.
- Talen Energy (Pennsylvania): Amazon has expanded its nuclear energy partnership with U.S. utility Talen Energy to supply energy to AWS data centers. This long-term agreement, lasting until 2042, secures up to 1,920 megawatts of carbon-free electricity from Talen’s Susquehanna nuclear facility. The partnership also includes exploring new SMR development within Talen’s Pennsylvania operations and increasing the output of the existing Susquehanna plant.
Investment in Advanced Reactor Technology
Amazon has led a $500 million investment round in X-energy through its Climate Pledge Fund. X-energy is a developer of advanced SMRs and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel. This investment aims to accelerate the development and licensing of X-energy’s SMRs and support the deployment of over 5 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear capacity by 2039 using X-energy’s technology.
Cloud and AI for Nuclear Innovation
AWS’s cloud computing and AI capabilities are crucial for advancing nuclear energy research and development.
Collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a national leader in adapting AI for the nuclear energy industry, is collaborating with AWS to develop AI tools for nuclear energy projects. This partnership leverages AWS’s advanced computing power and AI foundation models, including Amazon Bedrock, to reduce the costs and timeframes associated with designing, licensing, building, and operating nuclear facilities.
Developing Autonomous Nuclear Operations
A key aspect of the INL-AWS collaboration is the creation of a “digital twin” of small modular nuclear reactors using AWS Compute and AI tools. Scientists can integrate near real-time data from physical reactors into this digital twin, which could pave the way for autonomous nuclear operations, making civilian nuclear operations safer, smarter, and more responsive.
Project Pele and Department of Defense Initiatives
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is also pursuing advanced nuclear power through Project Pele, an initiative to develop a deployable mobile microreactor for remote operating bases.
Project Pele Overview
Project Pele aims to design, build, and demonstrate a prototype mobile nuclear reactor within five years to address the growing energy needs of military operations. This effort focuses on developing an inherently safe reactor that provides reliable and resilient power while minimizing proliferation risks. BWX Technologies was awarded a contract by the DoD to build the prototype, with assembly expected to begin in February 2025 and transport to INL in 2026 for testing. The reactor is designed to be transportable in four 20-foot shipping containers.
AWS’s Role in Government Nuclear Projects
While the direct involvement of AWS’s cloud services with Project Pele’s operational power generation isn’t explicitly stated as its primary role, the broader collaboration between INL and AWS on AI for nuclear energy operations aligns with the goals of such advanced reactor projects. The DoD views Project Pele as crucial for improving energy resilience and advancing nuclear power technology for civilian applications.
The Broader Context: Powering AI and Data Centers
The increasing electricity consumption of data centers, driven by the rapid expansion of AI, is a significant factor in tech companies’ embrace of nuclear energy. The International Energy Agency predicts that data centers’ total electricity consumption could exceed 1,000 terawatt hours by 2026, more than doubling from 2022 levels. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are actively investing in nuclear solutions to meet these surging power demands with carbon-free sources.
The U.S. government supports the deployment of SMRs, with the Department of Energy providing $900 million to accelerate their development. Developers anticipate SMRs will be built faster and at lower costs than traditional reactors, with electricity generation potentially beginning in the early 2030s.
