Nuclear data centres: Categorised
The different types of data centres and how nuclear power can power them...
We're building a new segmentation model of the different types of data centres vs the role of nuclear power in them for a report we're writing.
| Data Centre Type | Use Cases | Ownership | Nuclear Power Usefulness | Heat Sharing Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Data Centres | High-speed data exchange, internet backbone, interconnection points | Often colocation or telecommunications companies | Very useful for reliability and uptime; potential for district heating | District heating, pre-heating for buildings, potential for industrial processes |
| Hyperscale Cloud Data Centres | Cloud computing, big data, AI, massive-scale storage | Cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) | Highly useful for baseload power and decarbonisation; can complement renewables | Industrial symbiosis (greenhouses, desalination, hydrogen production), district heating |
| Enterprise Data Centres | Supporting a single organisation's IT needs | Owned by the organisation (on-premises, colocated, or managed services) | Depends on size and sustainability goals; SMRs could be a future option | On-site CHP with SMRs, waste heat recovery for heating or internal processes |
| Edge Data Centres | Low-latency applications (IoT, CDN, 5G) | Various (telecom companies, cloud providers, enterprises) | Less likely with traditional plants, but SMRs could be suitable for larger edge deployments or microgrids | Community heating, integration with local microgrids |
| Specialized Data Centres: | ||||
| - High-Frequency Trading | Ultra-low latency financial trading | Colocation in financial hubs | Reliability is a plus, but location may be challenging | Limited due to urban locations |
| - Cryptocurrency Mining | Cryptocurrency mining operations | Often privately owned | Very useful for 24/7 power; addresses energy concerns | High potential for heating greenhouses, industrial processes, etc. |
| - Government/Military | Secure data storage and processing | Government agencies, military | Excellent fit for reliability, security, and energy independence | Increased energy independence, potential for on-site needs |
While nuclear power offers advantages in reliability, sustainability, and baseload power, factors like safety, waste disposal, public perception, and regulatory hurdles must be addressed.
Implementing heat-sharing schemes requires careful planning, infrastructure development, and collaboration with local communities and industries.
SMRs: Small Modular Reactors hold significant promise for increasing the flexibility and applicability of nuclear power to different data centre types, particularly enterprise and edge deployments.