From TechCrunch · Tim De Chant · · 1m 50s
Samsung backs Kairos nuclear reactor for Google's AI power needs
A nuclear startup building reactors for Google's data centers just landed $100 million from Samsung to accelerate its timeline.
In brief
A nuclear startup building reactors for Google's data centers just landed $100 million from Samsung to accelerate its timeline. AI data centers are driving a wave of nuclear investment, with Kairos aiming to deliver its first commercial reactor by 2030. Originally reported by TechCrunch.
Samsung backs Kairos nuclear deal
Samsung C&T will invest $70 million in equity and provide $30 million in engineering services to help Kairos build a 50-megawatt reactor for Google by 2030.
AI data centers fuel nuclear boom
Kairos is part of a wave of nuclear startups benefiting from surging power demand from AI data centers. Google signed its first deal with Kairos in fall 2024 for half a gigawatt of electricity by 2035.
Two reactors under construction in Tennessee
Kairos is building Hermes 1, a low-power demonstrator, and Hermes 2, its first commercial-scale reactor, both in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Hermes 2 is expected to begin operating in 2030.
Novel reactor design uses fluoride salt
Hermes 2 will use a fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor design never built at commercial scale. Fluoride salts have high boiling points, keeping pressure levels low and reducing blowout risks.
TRISO fuel prevents meltdowns
Kairos is using TRISO fuel, which encapsulates uranium seeds in ceramic and carbon layers, then loads them into billiard ball-sized spheres. This design is intended to prevent meltdowns.
Five-year timeline is aggressive but doable
Kairos has about five years to get its first power plant running, an accelerated but manageable timeline in the nuclear industry. Samsung's expertise could help speed up subsequent reactors.
Samsung brings global nuclear experience
Samsung C&T has built or helped build about a dozen nuclear reactors around the globe, giving Kairos access to proven construction expertise to meet its accelerated schedule.
What it means
AI data centers are driving a wave of nuclear investment, with Kairos aiming to deliver its first commercial reactor by 2030.
