Technical and Commercial Feasibility Assessment of Nuclear Microreactors as a Clean Energy Source for Data Centers and Mining Sites

Abstract

Nuclear Microreactors are 1-10MWe stand-alone, plug-and-play energy platforms that can supply electricity and heat from a small footprint. Factory-assembled and factory-fueled, they are compact enough to fit within ISO standard shipping containers. Proposed to be used as a co-located source of clean energy, their potential applications span different industries, including mining and data centers. This low-carbon energy source can support industrial players’ transition away from fossil fuels. However, technical and commercial assessments are needed to understand its feasibility. Under the explored assumptions, Nuclear Microreactors appear to be cost-competitive for different scenarios. Simulations show that nuclear-based systems outperform, in Net Present Cost and Levelized Cost of Energy, diesel-based ones across most of the sensitivity cases tested. Results suggest that, when available, Nuclear Microreactors will be competitive and encouraged to be integrated into existing renewable systems. Finally, Nuclear Microreactors in mining and data center operations appear to have large carbon abatement potential.