Google Bets Big on Next-Gen Nuclear and Carbon Credits from Superpollutants For a Greener AI
The global tech sector faces a growing challenge to power energy-hungry services, like AI and cloud computing, while cutting carbon emissions. Google, one of the world’s largest technology companies, is pushing ahead on both fronts.
The tech giant is making new investments in advanced nuclear energy. It is also taking strong steps to cut powerful greenhouse gases. These actions help Google become a leader in corporate sustainability.
This article looks at Google’s latest clean energy strategies — combining nuclear power, carbon removal, and superpollutant destruction — to support its long-term carbon-free goals.
A Big Bet on Advanced Nuclear Energy
Google has teamed up with Elementl Power to invest in 3 new advanced nuclear projects in the U.S. Each plant will produce at least 600 megawatts (MW) of electricity. This move supports Google’s goal to run its operations on carbon-free energy 24/7.
The collaboration focuses on small modular reactors (SMRs). These next-gen nuclear designs offer better safety, more flexibility, and lower costs than traditional nuclear plants. SMRs are modular, meaning they can be built in factories and assembled on-site more quickly and at lower risk.
Key facts about the projects:
- Total capacity: At least 1,800 MW (600 MW each x 3)
- Location: United States (specific sites not yet disclosed)
- Expected benefits: Reliable, zero-carbon baseload power to complement intermittent wind and solar energy
By adding reliable, carbon-free power, Google hopes to support its growing energy needs while cutting emissions. Nuclear energy can provide steady electricity even when wind or solar power is unavailable. This is important as Google works toward running on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030. The project is also expected to create thousands of new jobs and boost local economies.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), nuclear energy could provide up to 25% of U.S. electricity by 2050. This makes it a crucial player in the transition to a clean energy grid. In 2023, nuclear power was responsible for generating 100 GW of power in the country, per Bloomberg data.
Beyond decarbonization, the projects will create thousands of jobs during construction and operations. This will help boost local economies, in addition to decarbonization efforts.
Google’s investments in nuclear align with broader industry trends. Governments in the U.S., Canada, and Europe are ramping up funding for advanced reactors. The Trump administration has proposed billions in support for nuclear innovations.
The World Nuclear Association says about 440 reactors supply 10% of the world’s electricity now. They expect this to grow to 15% in the next ten years.
Eliminating Superpollutants: Tackling Potent Greenhouse Gases
Alongside its nuclear push, Google is stepping up efforts to eliminate superpollutants. These gases trap far more heat than carbon dioxide (CO₂) per ton. These include:
- Methane (CH₄)
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
- Fluorinated gases (HFCs, HCFCs)
Although short-lived, these gases contribute significantly to near-term global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates they’ve caused nearly 50% of historical warming.
Google announced new partnerships with Recoolit and Cool Effect to target these superpollutants.
Recoolit, based in Indonesia, partners with HVAC technicians. They recover and destroy harmful HFC refrigerants from air conditioners. This process prevents leaks into the atmosphere.
Cool Effect, in Brazil, helps destroy landfill methane. They install systems to capture and flare methane from waste as it decomposes.
Through these initiatives, Google aims to eliminate over 25,000 tons of superpollutants by 2030. This is equal to 1 million tons of CO₂ in long-term warming impact.
These programs build on Google’s other superpollutant work:
- Partnering with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) on the MethaneSAT satellite to detect global methane leaks
- Supporting the Global Methane Hub through grants
- Using low-GWP refrigerants in Google’s own cooling systems
By targeting both long-lived CO₂ and short-lived superpollutants, Google is attacking climate change from many angles. As Randy Spock, Carbon Credits and Removals Lead at Google, noted,
“We can’t combat climate change without solving for superpollutants – and we’re eager to use every tool we have available to catalyze the range of solutions needed to address near-term warming…”
Google’s Broader Carbon-Free Strategy
These new initiatives fit into Google’s overarching goal of running on 24/7 carbon-free energy globally by 2030. This means using carbon-free sources for every hour of electricity consumption, not just offsetting yearly totals.
To date, Google has:
- Signed contracts for over 7 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy worldwide
- Helped pioneer hourly clean energy tracking to measure real-time carbon-free electricity use
- Invested in direct air capture, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and other emerging carbon removal technologies
The company is also a founding member of Frontier, a $1 billion advanced market commitment that supports early-stage carbon removal companies. These efforts aim to eliminate Google’s operational emissions and its carbon footprint since 1998 by 2050.
Why Tech Companies Are Betting on Nuclear
Google isn’t the only one that views nuclear energy as a solution for the next-gen AI data centers. These centers need a lot of power, all day and night.
Other big tech companies in the U.S., such as Amazon and Microsoft, are also looking into nuclear power purchase agreements. They are also considering data center co-location with nuclear plants.
For example, Amazon acquired a data center campus powered by Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Nuclear Plant. Moreover, Microsoft signed a 20-year nuclear PPA with Constellation Energy to restart a retired reactor.
Data center energy demand in the U.S. is set to rise by 19% each year until 2029, according to 451 Research. This makes reliable, carbon-free power sources like nuclear more appealing.
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Clean Energy
Google’s investments in nuclear energy and superpollutant destruction show a clear strategy: diversify its clean energy mix to deliver reliable, zero-carbon power while tackling the most potent climate pollutants.
Google leads in sustainable innovation by using advanced nuclear technology, carbon removal, and pollutant destruction. As energy demands grow and climate goals tighten, these bold moves could serve as a model for how major businesses can meet both their power needs and environmental responsibilities.
If successful, these efforts will cut Google’s carbon footprint. They will also speed up the technologies and markets needed for a sustainable global economy.
The post Google Bets Big on Next-Gen Nuclear and Carbon Credits from Superpollutants For a Greener AI appeared first on Carbon Credits.
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