Powering the Future: Google & Kairos Power's Collaborative Path to Clean Energy
In six short weeks the industry will come together at Data Center World 2025 where the intersection of clean energy, nuclear innovation, and the future of mission-critical infrastructure takes center stage. This year's conference, scheduled for April 14-17 in Washington, D.C., promises to be a pivotal moment for the data center industry, addressing the pressing challenges of powering AI-driven facilities while prioritizing sustainability.
A standout hour of the conference will be the keynote panel on Wednesday April 16, featuring Lucia Tian, Head of Clean Energy and Decarbonization Technologies at Google, and Jeffrey Olson, Vice President of Business Development & Finance at Kairos Power. Their session, "Powering the Future: Google and Kairos Power's Collaborative Path to Clean Energy," will delve into a groundbreaking partnership announced in October 2024.
This collaboration aims to develop up to 500 megawatts of nuclear energy through small modular reactors (SMRs), potentially revolutionizing energy strategies for hyperscalers and data center operators. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, the initiative targets initial deployment by 2030, with further expansions through 2035.
The Google-Kairos Power partnership represents a significant shift in how major tech companies are approaching their energy needs. As AI technologies continue to demand more power, the industry is actively seeking sustainable and reliable energy sources at scale.
Founded in 2016, Kairos Power has a singular focus on commercializing its fluoride salt–cooled, high-temperature advanced nuclear reactor. Kairos sees this type of unit as a clean-energy solution that can be deployed safely and with an affordable cost to aid the world’s transition to clean energy.
Google has made a deep commitment to decarbonization. Since 2010, Google has signed more than 115 agreements to purchase more than 14 GW of clean energy generation capacity. The additional nuclear generation developed under this agreement with Kairos will complement Google’s existing use of variable renewables, like solar and wind.
Under the agreement, California-based Kairos Power will develop, construct, and operate a series of advanced reactor plants and sell energy, ancillary services, and environmental benefits to Google. Plants will be sited in “relevant service territories” to supply clean electricity to Google data centers.
This Keynote discussion will explore:
- The role of nuclear energy in supporting AI's increasing power requirements
- How advanced reactors can contribute to stabilizing grid infrastructure
- Strategies for data center operators to adapt to the evolving energy landscape
Moderated by Bill Kleyman, AFCOM Data Center World Program Chair and CEO, Co-Founder of Apolo.us, this panel brings together two leaders at the forefront of clean energy innovation:
Lucia Tian leads Google's team responsible for developing and scaling advanced clean energy technologies to achieve the company's global 24/7 carbon-free energy and net zero goals. With a diverse background spanning roles at the U.S. Department of Energy, ACLU, and McKinsey & Co., Tian holds dual B.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Economics from MIT, as well as an M.A. in Economics from Harvard.
Jeffrey Olson, Vice President of Business Development and Finance for Kairos Power, brings over a decade of experience in managing strategic growth initiatives for energy technology companies. With a diverse background spanning management consulting, artificial intelligence energy storage, fuel cell technology, and sustainability practices.
Their combined expertise promises to offer valuable insights into the future of data center power strategies and the broader implications for the tech industry. You won’t want to miss this one!
