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NN Asks: How can nuclear energy support the rising energy demand from data centers?
Nicolas Stauff
Data centers power our digital lives—along with many aspects of our economy and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Electricity demand is rising rapidly, with the domestic data center load projected to increase from 4 percent to 9 percent of U.S. electricity consumption by 2030. This surge is already reshaping utility planning, grid interconnection queues, and the market for reliable power nationwide.
Nuclear energy is well matched to data center needs, because it provides reliable, 24/7 electricity with stable long-term costs. Modern hyperscale data center campuses can require hundreds of megawatts for IT equipment and cooling, and many applications demand maximum uptime. At the same time, leading hyperscalers have aggressive decarbonization commitments that limit reliance on fossil generation. Data centers also require fiber connectivity, a skilled workforce, and local acceptance—yet they can deliver meaningful tax base and employment impacts, especially when coupled with a major energy project.
C. C. Chapman, J. L. Buelt
Nuclear Technology | Volume 49 | Number 2 | July 1980 | Pages 196-208
Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Fuel Cycle | doi.org/10.13182/NT80-A32482
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Vitrification tests in a continuous ceramic-lined melter have been completed with simulated radioactive wastes typical of those existing at the Savannah River Laboratory and at U.S. Department of Energy’s Hanford Laboratory. The results of these experiments suggest that immobilization of radioactive waste by vitrification is a promising approach for nuclear waste management. Process rates ranging from 25 to 160 kg/h were observed for simulated powdered waste glasses in the liquid-fed continuous melter. Entrapment of gas in glass bubbles or foaming at the chemical reaction layer caused a marked decrease in the processing rate. Several chemical blends were tested to assess their meltability and susceptibility to foaming. Foaming at the reaction layer was avoided in all but one of eight chemical blends. Differences in the amount of powder accumulated above the molten glass and the subsequent meltdown times strongly indicated that major variations in the meltability existed between the various chemical blends. Prototypic sized canisters (0.4, 0.61, and 0.91 m in diameter and 2.9 m tall) were filled and examined. Canisters were filled at an average rate of 76 to 93 kg/h while standing in air. The homogeneous glass product filled the canisters except for some rippled gaps at the canister wall. Gaps up to 6.4 mm were found. Unless, the radioactive decay heat exceeds the concentrations in existing wastes by a factor of 10 or more, the gaps are believed to be acceptable.