TerraPower's Molten Salt Reactor Uses Heat Storage to Power AI Data Centers
This year, TerraPower, established by Bill Gates, is set to reveal its inaugural AI data center initiative, with construction slated to begin in 2027 for its second power facility. Currently, the first reactor is being built in Wyoming. In January, Meta committed to acquiring eight Natrium power plants from TerraPower, highlighting the tech industry's need for dependable electricity. TerraPower's method of energy storage supports variable renewable sources. While nuclear reactors boast a 92.5% capacity factor, they are slow to adjust output. Small modular reactors (SMRs) respond more quickly but struggle with profitability. TerraPower's 345-megawatt molten salt-cooled reactor can sustain full power and utilize excess heat to produce steam during peak demand, potentially benefiting AI operations.
Key facts
- TerraPower plans to announce its first data center project in 2026, per Bloomberg.
- The data center project is expected to break ground in 2027 as TerraPower's second power plant.
- TerraPower's first reactor is already under construction in Wyoming.
- In January, Meta agreed to buy eight Natrium power plants from TerraPower.
- Nuclear reactors have a 92.5% capacity factor in the U.S. but ramp at only 5% per minute (National Laboratory of the Rockies).
- Small modular reactors can adjust output about 10% per minute, but reduced capacity operation is economically challenging.
- TerraPower's 345-megawatt molten salt-cooled reactor stores excess heat in molten sodium to handle data center load swings.
- The design pairs nuclear power's high capacity factor with energy storage, giving TerraPower an edge in powering AI.
Entities
Artists
- Bill Gates
Institutions
- TerraPower
- Bloomberg
- Meta
- National Laboratory of the Rockies
Locations
- Wyoming
- United States