> Thesis: [[Small Modular Reactors]] will fuel the next era of data centers, unleashing hyper-efficiency and unrivaled digital resilience, while leading the Global Decarbonization Effort ### The Energy-Data Paradox: A Crisis of Scale and Sustainability Data centers are the backbone of the digital economy, powering AI, cloud computing, and 5G networks. However, their exponential growth comes with an unsustainable [[Data Centre Energy Demand]]. Sundar Pichai of Google and other tech leaders have highlighted the urgent need for clean, scalable energy solutions. Current renewables like solar and wind face intermittency and storage challenges. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) provide a visionary solution: a reliable, carbon-free, always-on power source tailor-made for the tech economy. [[Modular Data Center Design Principles]] --- ### Why SMRs Are Perfect for Data Centers SMRs aren’t just an incremental improvement; they represent a paradigm shift. Elon Musk has consistently emphasized the importance of breakthrough technologies in tackling energy challenges. SMRs offer this breakthrough—combining the scalability of renewables with the reliability of nuclear energy. Their modular design allows deployment close to data centers, reducing transmission losses and providing uninterrupted energy. Data centers require 24/7 uptime, and even a minute of downtime could result in millions in losses. Unlike solar or wind, SMRs ensure continuous operation, making them an optimal power source for high-performance data centers. [[Data Center Opportunities]] | [[Data Centre First Principles]] ## Relevant Reading - [The AI Data Center Wars: The Billion-Dollar Race No One’s Talking About (Yet)](https://medium.com/@karanmjpinto/the-ai-data-center-wars-the-billion-dollar-race-no-ones-talking-about-yet-e790d94546c7) - [[Themes shaping 2025#3. Modular Data Centers and Energy Infrastructure Battefield]]