Advancing 'Nuclear Power Uprating' in the U.S.: Can It Solve the Power Shortage in the AI Era?
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Constellation Energy, the largest nuclear power operator in the United States, has announced plans to significantly increase the generation capacity of 11 of its domestic reactors. If implemented, this plan is expected to add a total of approximately 1 gigawatt of new power capacity.
The backdrop for this plan is the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Massive data centers required to run AI consume vast amounts of electricity. Consequently, companies are seeking energy sources that can provide a stable and large-scale supply of power.
In particular, there is a growing demand for "clean energy" that does not emit carbon dioxide. Because AI companies prioritize environmental considerations, they are looking at nuclear power as a key energy source, alongside solar and wind. Improving existing nuclear power plants to increase output is considered a faster and more efficient way to secure power than building new power stations.
In Japan, too, there are concerns about future power shortages due to the progress of AI and digitalization. This movement toward "utilizing existing nuclear plants" that has begun in the U.S. could have a significant impact on future global energy strategies and the way power is supplied in Japan.
Sources: MITテクノロジーレビュー
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