Watchtower 2024-11-26
Nuclear revival, rising demand, AI, space
Next golden era for nuclear energy
The last golden era for nuclear reactors unfolded in the 1960s and 1970s, a time when electric appliances were rapidly replacing manual labor in tasks like dishwashing and laundry. Television usage and refrigeration were still expanding. And concerns about finite fossil fuel resources loomed over energy planners.
However, by the 1970s, the growth in electricity demand had already begun to slow. Between 1980 and 2020, electricity demand growth largely stagnated.
The next 25 years, however, are poised for a resurgence, with electricity demand projected to rise sharply. This growth will be driven by widespread electrification, the energy-intensive needs of data centers, and increased onshoring of manufacturing. According to an estimate by consultancy group ICF, electricity demand could grow by 20% over the next decade. Nuclear power has not encountered such favorable conditions for its business case in nearly half a century.
Data for electricity generation (LINK)
Data for Nuclear Power Plant construction permits issued (LINK)
Interesting report on how much electricity demand is expected to grow by 2035 (LINK)
AI data centers in space
Data centers in space instead of space-based solar power? Perhaps beaming energy back to Earth isn’t necessary if we could instead beam back rearranged bits of data. Transmitting information from space to Earth is far more efficient and straightforward than beaming energy. Suddenly, energy no longer seems like an obstacle to the long-term growth of AI.
