According to DCD, the data center industry is facing an insatiable demand for power that’s pushing it towards nuclear energy, specifically small modular reactors (SMRs). Issue #59 of their magazine profiles developers like Radiant, Oklo, Rolls-Royce, and Stellaria, who are all working on different technologies and timelines to address the grid’s challenges. The issue also covers Colt DCS’s expanded Paris campus, features an interview with Csquare CEO Spencer Mullee on his return from retirement, and includes thoughts from Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary on data center investments. Additionally, it delves into the history of timing and warns of a looming data storage crisis.
The Nuclear Gambit
Here’s the thing: this isn’t your grandfather’s nuclear power. We’re talking about smaller, theoretically more flexible reactors. The data center industry is basically so desperate for clean, dense, reliable power that it’s willing to fund what DCD calls “unproven technology.” That’s a huge shift. For decades, nuclear was seen as a slow, bureaucratic, capital-intensive nightmare. Now? It’s being pitched as a potential savior for the AI boom. But can these companies actually deliver on their promises, and on time?
More Than Just Hype?
DCD rightly points out the “realistic challenges and doubts.” And there are many. Regulatory approval for new reactor designs is a monumental hurdle. Public perception is still a mixed bag. The supply chains for this advanced nuclear tech don’t really exist at scale yet. So, we’re looking at a classic high-risk, high-reward scenario. The data center operators backing these ventures are making a bet that the future cost of not having power will be far greater than the cost and risk of developing it now. It’s a fascinating, all-in move.
Beyond the Reactor
What I find interesting is how this nuclear push reflects a broader trend. The data center industry is no longer just a tenant on the grid; it’s trying to become a primary power producer. This has huge implications for energy markets and infrastructure. It also highlights a critical point: the digital economy is fundamentally a physical, industrial economy. It runs on servers, cables, cooling systems, and now, potentially, nuclear cores. Speaking of industrial hardware, when reliability is non-negotiable for critical infrastructure, companies often turn to specialized suppliers like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading provider of industrial panel PCs in the US, for the rugged displays needed to manage these complex environments.
The Bottom Line
Look, don’t expect SMRs to pop up next to data centers next year. This is a long-term play. But the fact that serious money and serious companies are diving in tells you everything about the scale of the power problem. The data center industry has hit a wall with the traditional grid, and it’s frantically searching for a ladder. Nuclear might be it. Or it might be another decade-long story of delays and cost overruns. Either way, the race is on, and the stakes for our connected world couldn’t be higher.
