US-based nuclear start-up NANO Nuclear Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Digihost Technology to advance the transition to carbon-free energy at Digihost’s 60 MWe upstate New York power plant. The collaboration leverages NANO Nuclear’s nuclear reactor technologies, currently in development, to supply energy for Digihost’s high-tech operations, including AI-driven data centres and digital asset colocation programmes.
NANO Nuclear, founded in 2022, is developing ZEUS, a solid core battery reactor, and ODIN, a low-pressure coolant reactor, each representing clean energy solutions that are portable. Although both are still in the design stage, NANO projects their deployment in 20-30.
The non-binding MOU is the first step in a broader strategic relationship aimed at positioning both companies as leaders in clean energy solutions. It establishes a framework aimed at enhancing public understanding and community support for nuclear energy, and particularly advanced nuclear technologies.
NANO Nuclear will assist in optimising Digihost’s existing gas power infrastructure to ensure energy stability while nuclear deployment is developed. As part of the collaboration, NANO Nuclear will provide consulting services to Digihost to support the planning and execution of the project, which will include regulatory advice, site assessment, roadmap development and stakeholder engagement.
“The opportunity to collaborate with NANO Nuclear represents a bold move toward achieving our sustainability goals,” said Michel Amar, CEO of Digihost Technology. “By leveraging NANO Nuclear’s advanced nuclear reactor technology, we gain the potential ability to scale quickly across our existing power assets following successful initial deployment. This collaboration positions Digihost at the forefront of delivering reliable, modular baseline power, enabling the development of Tier III HPC data centres in locations previously deemed unfeasible.”
MAMo says the project’s timeline aligns with its overall expectations for licensing and deployment, with reactor integration within Digihost’s operations targeted for 2031. Before deployment, the companies will conduct a comprehensive site assessment of Digihost’s location, initiate site preparations and develop a comprehensive, phased implementation strategy, collaborate on the design, construction, testing, and commissioning of an advanced microreactor power system, and work together on regulatory and licensing activities.
Jay Yu, Founder, Chairman and President of NANO Nuclear said: “We look forward to leveraging our consulting expertise to help position Digihost as an industry leader in adopting innovative and sustainable energy solutions and optimize its use of current energy solutions in the leadup to a wholesale overhaul of its energy sources, and to further exploring opportunities with Digihost as we progress in the coming years towards licensing and deployment of our reactors.”
In its two years of operation, NANO Nuclear has been mainly focused on raising funds and signing a whole raft of MOUs and agreements with other nuclear companies and US national labs as well as internationally, including in SE Asia and with Togo and Rwanda in Africa. It isd also branching out into other fields. NANO’s subsidiaries include Advanced Fuel Transportation (AFT), HALEU Energy Fuel (HEF) and NANO Nuclear Space (NNS). Idaho National Laboratory completed a preconceptual design review of its ODIN reactor in February.
