Amazon Ventures into Small Modular Reactor Nuclear Technology

Amazon Ventures into Small Modular Reactor Nuclear Technology

What Agreements Has the Company Signed to Explore New Energy Sources for Data Centers?

Amazon.com revealed its presence in this field by signing three agreements to promote small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power technologies. With this action, Amazon became the latest big tech company to look to meet the growing need for power resulting from its data centres.

How Is Amazon Funding a Feasibility Study in Washington?

Amazon will pay for a feasibility study for an SMR project close to a Northwest Energy site in Washington state because of its dedication to sustainable energy solutions. X-Energy will develop the project; financial information about the agreements is unknown.

According to the deal, Amazon can buy electricity produced by four modules. Furthermore, Energy Northwest—a group of state public utilities—may add up to eight further 80 MW modules. This might make a total capacity of up to 960 MW, sufficient to run about 700,000 houses nationwide. Local utilities and Amazon would have extra capability to provide electricity to residences and businesses.

What Is Amazon's Commitment to New Nuclear Technologies?

Emphasising the need for these agreements, Amazon Web Services CEO said, “Our agreements will encourage the construction of new nuclear technologies that will generate energy for decades to come.” This shows Amazon’s dedication to funding creative and environmentally friendly energy sources.

What Are the Advantages and Criticisms of SMRs?

Designed to be manufactured in a factory environment, small modular reactors seek to lower construction costs than conventional, more giant reactors installed on-site. Critics counter that SMRs could be too costly to achieve the required economies of scale, rendering them impractical.

Why Is There Political Support for Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear power is rising in popularity as a dependable energy source with almost no greenhouse gas emissions. It also provides high-paying union employment and appeals to Democratic and Republican groups.

What Is the Current Status of SMRs in the US?

Though SMRs offer great promise, there are no operational small modular reactors in the United States. Last year, NuScale, the sole US business with an SMR design licence from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, encountered difficulties and had to postpone its first SMR project, which was meant for a US laboratory in Idaho.

What Are the Long-Term Challenges Ahead for SMRs?

Furthermore, using SMRs begs questions about the long-lasting radioactive waste they create. Currently, the United States needs an ultimate repository for such waste, which presents significant obstacles to the direction of nuclear energy.

Emphasising the regulatory challenges still to be overcome, a US Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman observed that “no specifics” regarding the intended SMRs have yet been given to authorities.

Joining a growing list of businesses investigating nuclear energy to satisfy the rising need for sustainable power in the digital age, Amazon advances with its SMR plans.

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