Omasa
Omasa is the newsletter for the Etango Uranium Project managed by the
is the newsletter for the Etango Uranium Project managed by the
following companies:
following companies:
We want to hear from you!
Omasa
Omasa intends to keep you informed about progress on the Etango Uranium
intends to keep you informed about progress on the Etango Uranium
Project, its people and its activities. What else would you like to read more
Project, its people and its activities. What else would you like to read more
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about? Send your comments, compliments and suggestions to:
Emma Culver: newsletters@bmnenergy.com.
BANNERMAN
MINING RESOURCES NAMIBIA
12
BANNERMAN ENERGY | DEC 2024
Editorial team: Gavin Chamberlain, Emma Culver
Gavin Chamberlain, Emma Culver
Production: Words’Worth
Words’Worth
Industry news
INTELLIGENT DEMAND
FOR NUCLEAR
Big tech companies are in dire need of clean energy
as they race to develop data centres used to power AI
models. Nuclear to the rescue …
uman beings are hungry for knowledge and data … and data centres
uman beings are hungry for knowledge and data … and data centres
are even hungrier consumers of energy. A single query to ChatGPT uses
are even hungrier consumers of energy. A single query to ChatGPT uses
as much electricity as burning a light bulb for about 20 minutes.
as much electricity as burning a light bulb for about 20 minutes.1 Multiply that
Multiply that
by the millions of requests that this artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot receives
by the millions of requests that this artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot receives
each day, and the environmental impact could be ominous.
each day, and the environmental impact could be ominous.
However, while energy demand is high from the tech giants – such as
However, while energy demand is high from the tech giants – such as
Microsoft, Google, Meta Platforms and Amazon Web Services – eager to
Microsoft, Google, Meta Platforms and Amazon Web Services – eager to
feed their data centres, these companies are increasingly turning to nuclear
feed their data centres, these companies are increasingly turning to nuclear
power as a way to fulfill the growing energy demands from data centres.
power as a way to fulfill the growing energy demands from data centres.
Nuclear power has become an attractive option for companies hoping to
Nuclear power has become an attractive option for companies hoping to
source larger amounts of energy while minimising carbon emissions.
source larger amounts of energy while minimising carbon emissions.
Clean growth
Clean growth
“Nuclear energy has a critical role to play in supporting our clean growth
“Nuclear energy has a critical role to play in supporting our clean growth
and helping to deliver on the progress of AI,” Michael Terrell, senior director
and helping to deliver on the progress of AI,” Michael Terrell, senior director
for energy and climate at Google, announced in October. “The grid needs
for energy and climate at Google, announced in October. “The grid needs
these kinds of clean, reliable sources of energy that can support the build
these kinds of clean, reliable sources of energy that can support the build
out of these technologies. ... and help meet our demand cleanly, around the
out of these technologies. ... and help meet our demand cleanly, around the
clock.”
clock.”
Data centres need reliable power every minute of every day, and nuclear
Data centres need reliable power every minute of every day, and nuclear
is the only source of emissions-free baseload power. This refers to the
is the only source of emissions-free baseload power. This refers to the
minimum amount of electric power needed to be supplied to the electrical
minimum amount of electric power needed to be supplied to the electrical
grid at any given time. Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology is a “new-
grid at any given time. Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology is a “new-
frontier” step in achieving nuclear power. SMRs, sometimes known as “mini-
frontier” step in achieving nuclear power. SMRs, sometimes known as “mini-
nuclear” plants, are much smaller than traditional reactors and therefore
nuclear” plants, are much smaller than traditional reactors and therefore
easier to scale. As an alternative to giant conventional nuclear power
easier to scale. As an alternative to giant conventional nuclear power
stations, SMRs are also cheaper and faster to deploy.
stations, SMRs are also cheaper and faster to deploy.
Google has signed the world’s first corporate agreement to buy power from
Google has signed the world’s first corporate agreement to buy power from
multiple SMRs to meet electricity demand for AI. Amazon, too, is investing
multiple SMRs to meet electricity demand for AI. Amazon, too, is investing
in numerous SMRs, while Oracle plans to build a data centre campus with
in numerous SMRs, while Oracle plans to build a data centre campus with
three SMRs.
three SMRs.
Microsoft plans to purchase energy from the reactivated Three Mile Island
Microsoft plans to purchase energy from the reactivated Three Mile Island
Unit 1 nuclear-generating station in Pennsylvania.
Unit 1 nuclear-generating station in Pennsylvania.
Whether generated by large or small reactors, nuclear power is clearly the
Whether generated by large or small reactors, nuclear power is clearly the
intelligent choice for the future.
intelligent choice for the future.
The energy used by one ChatGPT query will power
a light bulb for 20 minutes.
20
Ireland’s data centres will use almost one-third of
the country’s electricity by 2029.
27%
Big tech companies will account for almost half of
new electricity demand growth in the US by 2028.
44%
Mins
1Reference: https://www.npr.org/2024/07/12/g-s1-9545/ai-brings-soaring-emissions-for-
google-and-microsoft-a-major-contributor-to-climate-change