- It is cheaper by approx 43% to power a data centre with a largely renewable microgrid vs a nuclear SMR. Renewables can meet the majority of the constant demands of a large data centre - but gas is still required as a stopgap source of power today, with batteries supporting.
- It is cheaper by almost a third (31.7%) to power a data centre with 95% renewables (in line with the CP30 target) vs a nuclear SMR.
- Renewable microgrids could be deployed in around half the time of nuclear SMRs (~5 years vs 10 years) and with much greater certainty.
- Our model outputs a microgrid that meets consistent yearly data centre demand without needing the grid. To further minimise risk to data centre operators, no/low-utilisation grid ties can provide additional microgrid reliability.
I’d be curious why they didn’t consider a renewable micro grid supported by an SMR, in addition to the gas supported micro grid. SMR sizing? Extra poor cost competitiveness?
Clearly we still need some on-demand baseline power. What’s the long term strategy? Are people betting that battery tech will outpace SMR tech to no longer require on-demand baseline?