The U.S. Needs More Nuclear Power To Fuel the Artificial Intelligence Boom

AI generated summary

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly impacting the U.S. power grid, with estimates suggesting that a single ChatGPT query consumes as much energy as lighting a bulb for 20 minutes. Goldman Sachs predicts that AI will drive a 160% increase in data center power demand by 2030, while the Department of Energy forecasts that cloud computing could account for 12% of the nation's energy use by 2028, up from 4.4% in 2023. States like Texas, Virginia, and California are emerging as primary hubs for data centers, with Texas expected to nearly double its electricity demands by 2030 due to the growth of data centers and cryptocurrency operations.

To meet this rising demand, companies like Last Energy are planning to build microreactors in Texas, with 30 reactors proposed to service the state's data centers. The company is navigating regulatory hurdles, including applying for a grid connection and an Early Site Permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Other states, such as Virginia and Pennsylvania, are also exploring nuclear energy solutions to support their data center needs. The push for nuclear power could provide a clean and reliable energy source, enabling advancements in AI while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.