Curio LV’s Post

A decade ago, it seemed as though the global nuclear industry was in an irreversible decline. Concerns over safety, cost, and what to do with radioactive waste had sapped enthusiasm for a technology once seen as a revolutionary source of abundant cheap energy. Yet now there is widespread talk of a revival, fuelled by tech giants Microsoft, Google and Amazon all announcing investments in the sector, as well as the growing pressures on wealthy nations to curb their carbon emissions. But how real is the comeback? https://lnkd.in/e57467G2 #nuclear #power #emissions

Here is the latest drop from A.I. Guys Substack. I would love to get feedback and thoughts on this one. Energy is one of the biggest challenges we face with A.I. - and you can't talk energy without talking Nuclear. Dont forget to subscribe. https://lnkd.in/eAufMPNJ #nuclear #ai #worldpeace ✌️

ICYMI: Read about how to understand new #nuclear energy and why nuclear energy matters right now in a series this week from Cat Clifford: https://nt-z.ro/46v4UvK

Accenture's Scott Tinkler's recent blog explores how the nuclear resurgence requires a two-speed reinvention. Operators need to move at a sprint speed to extend the life of existing reactors, and a marathon pace is needed to build the new fleet that will deliver baseload for the rest of the century. Here's the role that digitization can play: https://accntu.re/3OPybcT #Nuclear #Utillities #Digitization #Accenture

A safer #nuclear #energy option? Can #thorium/thorium pellet reactors change the #narrative around #nuclear #energy? Given the world’s increasing #power demands, especially for #AI (see Devansh Devansh excellent post on this) and new #technology. This raises an interesting question: Given the alternatives, energy demand, resource constraints, environmental damage; if new innovations in nuclear can be safely & cheaply applied (key caveats). Is there a better alternative?

🔋 The UK is at a turning point for clean energy and AI innovation. With growing energy demands from data centres and AI technologies, nuclear power—especially Small and Advanced Modular Reactors (SMRs/AMRs)—offers a unique opportunity to deliver reliable, low-carbon energy. To lead this transition, we need modernised regulations, strategic UK-US partnerships, and investments in innovation. It’s not just about energy—this is a chance to boost the economy, create jobs, and solidify global leadership. Let’s seize it. #CleanEnergy #Nuclear #AI #Sustainability #products #manufacturing #digital #UK See TBI report: https://lnkd.in/ekkw2Kah

Check out this great explainer on nuclear from Cat Clifford @ Cipher News! "The U.S. is projected to consume a record 4.1 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2024, up 3% from last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. While ultra cheap renewables, batteries and other energy storage technologies will play a crucial role in weaning the world off fossil fuels, many industry leaders argue we cannot meet the massive scale of our energy needs and decarbonize without nuclear. It is well-suited for manufacturing, hydrogen production, replacing fossil fuels in industrial processes and more. Recently, nuclear has been singled out as an ideal match for providing the electricity needed to support energy-hungry data centers that power artificial intelligence, for example. By 2030, data centers alone could consume as much as 9.1% of annual U.S. electricity, up from about 4% today, according to non-profit research firm EPRI. “It’s very expensive to own a data center,” Huff said. “It is even more expensive to own a data center that’s only running at 70% time.” Some large utilities are taking a fresh look at beefing up their nuclear generation as well, including Dominion Energy and Constellation, although final implementation will take time due to many economic, commercial, operational and regulatory factors."

'There is renewed interest in nuclear as concerns about climate change grow - and companies need more energy due to advances in artificial intelligence.' The advances are not driving the need for more energy, hype and corporate greed are. I don't think the risks and the benefits correlate, except for a very small few making the money. For those who don't remember #threemileisland a piece written long ago by Elizabeth Williams Ehsan Nabavi Caitlin Bentley and more. #AI driving #nuclear plant revival is crazy. The costs of nuclear, financial and otherwise, are not well understood, and high maintenance and risk. https://lnkd.in/gcDnsdJa https://lnkd.in/g-Pw5xFE

#Nuclear comeback? The Economist believes so and identifies #AI 's huge electricity demand as the main #catalyst. "Now, thanks to AI, [...] #Microsoft will consume five to six times as much electricity by 2030 as it anticipated when it set the goal in 2020." In consequence expect: 1st: rising debates regarding #risks vs benefits of nuclear power in the context of #climatechange ambitions 2nd: a growing #investor interest around around advanced nuclear #technologies (e.g. SMRs) 3rd: an increased importance of #capital markets for private and public financing reflecting potentially very high project #costs faced by #bigtech Big tech is bringing nuclear power back to life https://lnkd.in/eyBWXz-R from The Economist

Reprocessing used nuclear fuel has to done very carefully, and is subject to tight security, but there is a good reason to re-use spent fuel. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dkJTGuib #nuclear energy #nuclearfuel #nuclear #fission