Switzerland-based nuclear start-up, Deep Atomic plans to introduce a new small modular reactor (SMR) specifically to power data centres. Through modular design and factory production, Deep Atomic aims to reduce costs and deployment times, and also facilitate digital infrastructure expansion in areas with limited grid access.
“Data centres (DCs) are the backbone of digital innovation, but their massive energy needs have become the critical bottleneck blocking growth,” said Deep Atomic founder & CEO William Theron.
Deep Atomic has designed the MK60, a light water SMR to serve the requirements of modern and future data centres. The MK60 is compact, scalable, and uses proven technology. It is well-suited to various types of data centres, including those supporting traditional cloud services, cryptocurrency operations, and AI applications. It can generate up to 60 MWe and provides an additional 60 MW of cooling capacity through an integrated DC-centric design approach.
The reactor can be deployed in various locations, including areas with limited grid access, and can be sited closer to urban areas due to its advanced safety features. Operators are increasingly looking to edge data centres (compute infrastructures on the outskirts of urban zones), which reduce latency (the delay before data transfer begins).
“It’s designed to be installed on-site at data centres, delivering reliable zero-carbon electricity and energy efficient cooling, thereby significantly reducing carbon footprints, and helping data centres meet their increasingly stringent sustainability goals,” Theron noted.
Deep Atomic’s Head of Engineering Freddy Mondale said many regions are struggling to provide the massive amounts of power required by new data centres. “Our on-site reactors bypass these grid limitations, allowing DCs to be built in optimal locations without straining existing infrastructure.”
He added: “By providing both electricity and cooling, we’re solving two major challenges for data centres – power availability and heat management. The MK60 utilises waste heat for cooling, significantly increasing overall energy efficiency.”
It also reduces initial capital costs and project risks compared with larger SMRs and can be deployed in multiples, allowing scalability from 60 MW up to over 1 GW to meet growing energy demands. Deep Atomic intends to achieve economies of series, progressively reducing costs with each unit built, by standardising components and emphasising factory production and testing.
“Our core philosophy is to design to be built. We’re not reinventing nuclear technology, but rather refining it for data centre applications, said Deep Atomic co-founder & Chief Design Officer Rea Stark.. “Our approach facilitates smoother regulatory processes, and efficient scaling.”
Deep Atomic has already begun to engage with regulators and potential customers and is seeking partnerships with data centre operators and other investors. “We’ve reimagined nuclear technology for the digital age and are building a reactor tailored for compute, Theron said.
