Microsoft could be the first of several companies to prepare to use small nuclear reactor technology for its high energy consumption, as AI and other technologies become more widely used.
SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, equivalent to around one-third the generating capacity of a traditional nuclear reactor.
As energy companies begin to roll out SMRs within the next decade there will be a greater understanding of their applicability and the costs involved.
Despite still being in the development stage, Microsoft appears to be one of the first companies to demonstrate its interest in SMRs. As companies continue to digitalise operations and conduct high-energy operations, they will need an increasing amount of energy to power their activities.
This month, the company posted a job description to hire a nuclear technology expert to lead the company's technical assessment for integrating small modular nuclear reactors and microreactors "To power the datacentres that the Microsoft Cloud and AI reside on." The post reads that Microsoft is seeking a "Principal program manager for nuclear technology", who "Will be responsible for maturing and implementing a global Small Modular Reactor and microreactor energy strategy."
As the use of SMRs becomes more commonplace, their fast manufacturing time and small land footprint will likely appeal to companies looking for alternative clean energy sources.
Tech companies, such as Microsoft, will likely be some of the first to invest in SMR technology as they look to meet their rising computation needs while striving to decarbonise operations.
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