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The global demand for electrical power has been growing rapidly, fueled by urbanization, industrialization, and the increasing digitalization of modern economies. Population growth, especially in developing nations, is putting immense pressure on energy grids, as more households gain access to electricity for the first time.
The sources of electrical power are evolving, with a strong global push toward renewable energy. Traditional power sources such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy still dominate the mix, but renewables like solar, wind, and hydropower are growing rapidly. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewables are expected to account for nearly 90% of the increase in global electricity capacity by 2025. Solar power, in particular, is the fastest-growing energy source, with an annual growth rate of over 20% in many regions, driven by declining costs and supportive policies. Wind power is also expanding, especially offshore, while hydropower continues to be a major contributor, particularly in regions with abundant water resources. Fossil fuels, especially natural gas, remain a significant part of the global energy mix due to their reliability and ability to meet the minimum level of demand for electricity which must be met at all times.
Nuclear power is an important component of the global electricity mix, providing about 10% of the world’s electricity generation as of 2023. In countries like France, nuclear energy contributes over 70% of the national electricity supply, while in the United States, it accounts for around 19%. Nuclear power has long been valued for its ability to generate large amounts of reliable, carbon-free electricity, which makes it a vital player in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The future of nuclear power is a subject of debate. On one hand, its role in achieving decarbonization goals has led to renewed interest in nuclear energy, with some countries planning to expand their nuclear capacity. The development of advanced nuclear reactors such as small modular reactors (SMRs) holds promise for safer, more flexible, and less expensive nuclear power solutions. SMRs, in particular, could play a key role in regions where traditional large nuclear plants are not feasible.
On the other hand, nuclear power faces several challenges. High capital costs, long construction times, public concerns about safety, and the issue of radioactive waste disposal continue to impede its growth. In countries like Germany and Japan, there has been a move away from nuclear energy following high-profile incidents like the Fukushima disaster in Japan.
While nuclear power’s share in the global energy mix has been relatively stable, its future growth depends on addressing safety concerns, reducing costs, and developing next-generation technologies that can integrate better with the evolving energy landscape. Some projections indicate modest growth for nuclear in the coming decades, but it is unlikely to match the rapid rise of renewables like solar and wind unless significant breakthroughs occur.
That breakthrough may be Google’s recent deal to purchase small modular reactors (SMRs) from Kairos Power, a private company based in Alameda, California. The aim is supporting its data centers and growing energy demands, particularly driven by artificial intelligence (AI). SMRs are smaller, more flexible reactors compared to traditional nuclear plants and are seen as a key tool in delivering reliable, carbon-free power. Google is committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2030, and this agreement aligns with that goal by ensuring a steady supply of 24/7 clean energy to its facilities.
The pros are clear. Reliable and clean energy: SMRs offer consistent, carbon-free electricity, which is crucial for Google’s goal of 24/7 carbon-free energy. Unlike solar or wind, which are intermittent, nuclear can provide steady power at all times. The modular nature of SMRs allows them to be produced more quickly and deployed in a wider variety of locations than traditional nuclear plants, making them ideal for meeting energy demands in diverse regions. SMRs support AI Infrastructure, and with the rise of AI technologies which require significant energy for data centers, SMRs are viewed as a reliable solution to avoid increasing reliance on fossil fuels
The cons are challenging: While SMRs are smaller than conventional reactors, the technology is still in its early stages. Google expects the first reactor to be operational by 2030, with more coming online by 2035. The deal still requires approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which may lead to delays. Although SMRs are designed to be more flexible, critics point out scaling the technology to meet massive energy needs could face financial and logistical challenges.
Google’s partnership with Kairos is part of a broader push toward adopting advanced clean technologies. Amazon and Microsoft are making similar nuclear investments. Big tech is betting billions on a nuclear future.
The “Listen to Post” seems to work pretty well. The American female voice is much easier to understand. Click [email protected]if you want to let me know what you think of the feature.
We met some friends at The Settlers Inn in Hawley, PA for dinner and an overnight stay. Settlers is a long time favorite and a very special place. They were one of the first to put charging stations at their various hotels. This was the first time I charged next to a Cybertruck.
The new AirPods Pro 2 have excellent sound quality. I will get a chance to evaluate the noise cancellation feature after a flight this week. Apple plans a software update which includes a hearing test and, if needed, approved use of the AirPods as hearing aids. I do not expect to need that feature (yet).
I invested in Voatz in 2021 and was a pro bono adviser from time to time in the early days before that. Voatz reflects what I wrote about in Election Attitude – How Internet Voting Leads to a Stronger Democracy.
Voatz has announced the successful completion of historic elections in Mexico. Not only was this arguably the most advanced online election ever conducted anywhere, it also created a unique piece of history with Mexico electing its first woman president. It was also Voatz’s first million-dollar election contract. Voatz now holds the unique distinction of pioneering blockchain-backed digital voting for public elections in all three major countries of North America.
Voatz also announced a new win in the State of Wisconsin with an expected revenue of $250k over 5 years. Nearly 60k new voters will become eligible to use the Voatz system for the first time starting this November.
The US Commercial Service (a part of the Dept. of Commerce) has selected Voatz for the official USA Pavilion at the 2024 Africa Tech Festival. This partnership may help provide a boost to its international expansion efforts and add credibility for larger procurement opportunities.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT enhancements: OpenAI has continued to refine and improve its ChatGPT language model, making it more capable of generating human-quality text and engaging in complex conversations.What’s new in crypto this week
Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) consolidation: The largest cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin and Ethereum, have been consolidating in a relatively narrow range after recent price increases. Some analysts are anticipating a potential breakout in either direction.
My YouTube channel is here. The oldest one on the channel was from a speech I gave in Paris in 1996. It is here.
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