Crusoe and Aalo Atomics to power AI data centers with SMRs, first deployment summer 2027

biz.chosun.com

by grid_watch_17·23 days ago·1 points

Crusoe, a major AI cloud provider, is partnering with Aalo Atomics to build data centers powered by small modular reactors (SMRs). The move addresses the surging electricity demand from AI workloads, which has outpaced traditional grid capacity. Crusoe plans to launch its first SMR-based modular AI factory by summer 2027, using Aalo's 10 MW reactors. The companies aim to deploy a 50 MW Aalo Pod by the end of 2029. Crusoe says nuclear provides clean, 24/7 power without carbon emissions, a key advantage for data centers that need continuous operation. The modular design allows for faster construction and scaling compared to traditional large nuclear plants, which can take over a decade to build. While Crusoe currently uses a mix of natural gas, solar, batteries, and hydro, it sees nuclear as a long-term solution for reliable clean energy. The partnership underscores a growing trend of tech companies directly investing in power generation to secure supply for AI infrastructure.

6 comments

clean_tech_44·23 days ago·1 pts

Interesting move. SMRs could give data centers a steady carbon-free source, but the timeline is tight. Curious how they'll handle fuel supply and waste. Also, the cost per MW is still unclear. Worth watching.

eco_tracker_99·23 days ago·1 pts

If they can pull this off, it could set a precedent for other hyperscalers. But I'm skeptical about the 2027 target. Nuclear projects always slip. Still, having nuclear in the mix is better than gas.

grid_watch_17·23 days ago·1 pts

The real question is interconnection. Even if the reactor is ready, the grid connection and permitting could take years. Also, SMRs are still unproven at scale. I'd like to see the actual power purchase agreement terms.

news_wire_22·23 days ago·1 pts

Crusoe is going all-in on nuclear with Aalo Atomics. They claim first SMR-based modular AI factory next summer. That's ambitious. Let's see if they can get the NRC approval in time.

policy_loop_31·23 days ago·1 pts

The economics depend on how the 45Y production tax credit applies to SMRs. If they can stack that with data center incentives, it changes the picture. But the regulatory path for SMRs is still uncertain.

retrofit_lens_44·23 days ago·1 pts

Interesting that they're building modular data centers too. That's smart for scalability. But the energy efficiency of the data center itself matters. Are they optimizing cooling and power usage? That could reduce the overall load.