France is set to power AI with fast neutrons by offering a nuclear system meant to meet the demands of the nuclear era. Thanks to a startup, Stellaria, the very first commercial reservation for Stellarium has been secured. Stellarium is said to be one of the fastest neutron-molten salt reactors that will destroy more nuclear waste than it can produce. What Stellaria aims to do is collaborate with Equinix to deliver 500 MW of clean nuclear power to provide support for AI infrastructure. This is one nuclear reactor that is set to power commercial AI loads, too.

The nuclear engineering of an advanced nuclear reactor

This nuclear reactor that is set to provide power for AI systems is possibly the first ever of its kind to be seen in the world since Stellaria is focused on advanced nuclear engineering. This fast neutron reactor works with liquid chloride salt fuel, and because of its sophisticated and well-planned design, it can use or even destroy actinide-bearing materials. This means that the reactor can either use or destroy uranium, MOX fuels, or even plutonium. For the most part, no previous reactors had such capabilities.

The most unbelievable aspect of this reactor is that it may very well consume more nuclear waste than it creates, making it reduce the toxicity of existing waste systems in the process. While doing all of this, the reactor remains relatively compact, occupying a mere four cubic meters. With the compact size, another astonishing feature is the added containment barrier compared to other reactor systems. The bonus is that this reactor by Stellaria will be able to run for about 20 years without any need for refueling.

Providing power to AI systems

With the Global electricity demands expected to increase by 4 percent by 2027 due to AI and high-performing computing, data centers remain restricted by grid availability. Even the American grid is unable to provide enough power to support the functions of AI. With the offering of 500 MW by Stellaria and Equinix, the demand posed by advanced AI systems is somewhat being met. However, Equinix aims to enable autonomous data centers while deploying Stellerium units within or adjacent to European campuses. Each Stellerium unit will provide 250 MWe of power.

Understanding why so much power is required by AI systems

AI workloads require constant power, with downtimes not being an option. Neutron reactors provide carbon-free power, load-following capacity, and waste-consuming fuel cycles to enhance sustainability. For this reason alone, it seems like the power provided by Stellerium and Equinix will be best.

Since AI seems to be developing faster than even imaginable, there seems to be ongoing discussions that AI will be powered from space with experts targetting a powerful ‘extraterrestrial’ source. It is true that at the moment, the countries’ grids are too small and unrealiable to handle AI demands, therefore country’s, like France, are stepping in to make futures powered by AI a reality.

Going from prototype to deployment

Stellaria completed the €23 million funding round to accelerate Stellerium’s development. The idea is to gain the first fission reactions by 2029, with commercial deployment starting to be underway from 2035. The idea of France is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and become the leader in terms of advanced reactors.

Stellaria will become the global leader that will power cities of over 400,000 people and be able to keep the most sophisticated AI systems going. France is putting forward a reactor that will very well become the blueprint for computation that is sustainable. Although Germany has been known for chasing a near-minute run toward “infinite” energy, France is ready to step into the energy game by powering AI by providing fast neutrons producing 500 MW.