Nuclear Microsoft job posting signals commitment to small nuclear reactors for powering data centers Clarion Energy Content Directors 9.25.2023 Share Microsoft wants to integrate advanced nuclear technology into powering its data centers. In a recent job posting, the company announced its search for a Principal Program Manager of Nuclear Technology, who would be responsible for implementing a global small modular reactor (SMR) and microreactor energy strategy. The Principal Program Manager would be tasked with leading the technical assessment for the integration of SMRs and microreactors to power the company’s data centers, according to the posting. This individual would maintain a roadmap for this integration and select reactor technology partners and solutions, Microsoft said. The job posting underscores Microsoft’s determination to pioneer advanced nuclear technology. In 2022 Microsoft agreed to procure clean energy credits from Ontario Power Generation’s nuclear assets as part of the software conglomerate’s efforts to power its data centers with carbon-free energy. Under a separate MOU, Microsoft and OPG agreed to evaluate the procurement of clean energy credits from the SMR which OPG plans to build at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site. The province has since agreed to build a total of four SMRs at the site. As part of a more recent agreement with Constellation Energy, one of Microsoft’s data centers in Boydton, Virginia would be powered by up to 35 percent nuclear energy. The nuclear power would complement Microsoft’s new wind and solar purchases and bring the data center to operating at close to 100 percent carbon-free electricity around the clock. Microsoft would track its environmental performance using Constellation’s hourly carbon-free energy matching platform. The Microsoft Azure-based hourly matching software is a relatively new offering for customers looking to match their power demands with regional carbon-free energy around the clock. Microsoft has pledged that by 2030, all its data centers will be powered by zero-carbon energy purchases, 100% of the time. Related Articles Washington state lawmakers allocate $25 million to advance SMR development DOE releases $1.6 billion budget for nuclear energy office: Here’s how it would be spent Oklo and Argonne claim milestone in fast fission test Conditions inside Fukushima’s melted nuclear reactors still unclear 13 years after disaster struck
