Nuclear-Powered AI Data Center Pilot | Uvation & Terra Innovatum

FAQs

• What is the primary objective of the partnership between Uvation and Terra Innovatum?

  Uvation and Terra Innovatum Global have entered into a strategic partnership to launch a 1 MWe nuclear-powered AI data centre pilot. This initiative is designed as a foundational step to unlock a scalable pathway toward 100 MWe of resilient, behind-the-meter energy. The collaboration aims to address the critical constraint of energy availability by validating a new model for powering high-density AI infrastructure.

• Why is nuclear power being explored as a solution for AI data centres?

  The rapid expansion of AI has led to a significant increase in energy demand, with GPU-based systems drawing up to three times more power per square foot than traditional facilities. Many regional power grids are currently near capacity, resulting in grid congestion and long delays for new facility interconnections. Nuclear energy provides a continuous, reliable power source that operates at full capacity around the clock, matching the nonstop uptime requirements of AI workloads that traditional or intermittent renewable sources may struggle to meet.

• How does the "behind-the-meter" energy model help avoid grid-related delays?

  A behind-the-meter model produces electricity directly at the data centre site, allowing the facility to operate independently of the public grid. By generating power on-site, data centres can bypass grid congestion and avoid the long wait times associated with traditional infrastructure upgrades. This approach not only improves uptime by providing a dedicated energy source but also protects the operator from fluctuating grid pricing and transmission charges.

• What specific technology is being used to generate power in this pilot?

  The pilot project utilises Terra Innovatum’s SOLO™ micro-modular reactor, a factory-built unit engineered to deliver approximately 1 MWe of power. These microreactors are compact systems that can be colocated with compute-heavy facilities due to their small footprint and modular design. The SOLO technology is designed for rapid deployment and scalability, providing the high-density power that traditional grids often cannot guarantee.

• How does the project plan to scale from a 1 MWe pilot to 100 MWe?

  The 1 MWe pilot serves as a technical validation phase to evaluate nuclear-powered AI workloads under real operating conditions. Because the microreactor technology is intentionally modular, it allows Uvation to scale capacity incrementally as demand for compute power grows. Insights gained from this initial deployment regarding operational integration and regulatory engagement will be used to create repeatable models for the eventual 100 MWe deployment.

• What safety measures are in place for deploying nuclear reactors at data centre sites?

  Safety is addressed through passive safety features that rely on natural physical processes rather than active human or mechanical controls. These modern microreactors are designed to automatically shut down and remove residual heat in the event of abnormal conditions. Additionally, the reactors feature simplified designs, lower fuel inventories, and enhanced containment, ensuring high safety margins that align with regulatory requirements for colocated infrastructure.