Kairos Power Secures $100M From Samsung to Build Google’s Nuclear Reactor
▼ Summary
– Kairos Power has selected Samsung C&T to assist in constructing its 50-megawatt demonstration reactor for Google, with a target completion date of 2030.
– The partnership involves up to $100 million in equity investment and engineering services from Samsung C&T, leveraging the firm’s global nuclear construction experience.
– Kairos is currently developing two reactors in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where Hermes 1 serves as a low-power demonstrator and Hermes 2 will be the first commercial-scale unit.
– The Hermes 2 design utilizes fluoride salt cooling and TRISO fuel to enhance safety by maintaining low pressure and preventing meltdowns.
– This project aligns with Kairos’s broader agreement with Google to deliver half a gigawatt of electricity by 2035, supported by accelerated timelines approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Kairos Power has entered a strategic partnership with Samsung C&T, selecting the global engineering firm to assist in constructing its 50-megawatt demonstration reactor for Google. This collaboration aims to deliver a fully operational facility by 2030, marking a significant milestone in the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology.
The agreement involves a substantial financial and technical commitment from Samsung C&T, totaling up to $100 million. According to a Kairos spokesperson, this figure comprises a $70 million equity investment alongside “in-kind” engineering services. The involvement of Samsung C&T brings considerable industry weight to the project, as the firm has previously constructed or assisted in building approximately a dozen nuclear reactors worldwide. This expertise is critical for a startup navigating the complex regulatory and construction landscape of nuclear energy.
The deal underscores the growing intersection between artificial intelligence infrastructure and next-generation power generation. Google initially partnered with Kairos in the fall of 2024, requesting the development of nuclear reactors capable of producing roughly half a gigawatt of electricity by 2035. This demand aligns with the broader surge in power requirements driven by AI data centers. Kairos’s current efforts are focused on two sites in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The first, known as Hermes 1, serves as a low-power demonstrator designed to refine the company’s commercial design. The second, Hermes 2, represents the first commercial-scale reactor. The output from Hermes will constitute the initial 50 megawatts required under the Google agreement.
Regulatory hurdles have been cleared, with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission granting approval for construction in November 2024. Kairos anticipates that Hermes 2 will begin operations in 2030, adhering to the timeline established in its original contract with Google. The reactor utilizes a fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor design, a concept that has been theorized for years but never realized at a commercial scale. The use of fluoride salts, which possess high boiling points, allows for lower pressure levels within the system. This design choice significantly reduces the risk of high-pressure blowouts in the event of component failures, enhancing overall safety.
In addition to the cooling mechanism, Kairos employs TRISO fuel, a relatively novel form of nuclear fuel. This technology encapsulates microscopic uranium seeds within layers of ceramic and carbon, forming spheres similar in size to billiard balls. This configuration is engineered to prevent meltdowns, offering an additional layer of safety assurance.
The startup faces a tight five-year window to bring its first power plant online. While accelerated compared to traditional nuclear projects, this timeline is considered manageable within the industry context. However, fulfilling the broader terms of the Google contract will require even faster execution for subsequent reactors. Samsung C&T’s involvement may provide the necessary acceleration to meet these ambitious deadlines.
(Source: TechCrunch)
