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As if the U.S. grids weren\u2019t stressed enough, AI data centers threaten to overwhelm them further with their massive energy demands. To address these challenges, researchers in Utah are entertaining the viability of microreactors\u2014smaller, often portable fission reactors\u2014for powering AI data centers with high energy demands.<\/p>\n
For now, the project is at a proof-of-concept stage. This summer, the University of Utah in collaboration with energy company Elemental Nuclear will repurpose its TRIGA nuclear reactor to power a mini AI data center. According to an institutional statement on the initiative, a novel power generator attached to the university\u2019s reactor will capture thermal energy to generate around 2 to 3 kilowatts of electricity to power a live AI workload.<\/p>\n
Strictly speaking, this is far less than the hundreds of megawatts of energy full-scale data centers require. However, the team anticipates that the demonstration will illuminate whether smaller reactors\u2014such as nuclear reactors used for academic research\u2014can generate electricity for AI operations.<\/p>\n