Project expected to work in three phases, says Sam Altman-backed company
Oklo’s Aurora nuclear power plant consists of a small fast neutron fission reactor with integrated solar panels. Courtesy Oklo.US advanced nuclear power plant developer Oklo has signed a memorandum of understanding with power generation company RPower to deploy a “phased power model” for data centres.
Oklo said the model combines immediate energy deployment using RPower natural gas generators before switching to Oklo’s Aurora nuclear power plant, eliminating reliance on diesel generators.
The phased power model is expected to work in three stages.
Initially, RPower’s natural gas generators will be deployed within approximately 24 months to meet immediate power needs for data centres that the local utility cannot serve.
Next, Oklo’s Aurora power plants will be added to these sites as they become commercially available.
Finally, the Aurora powerhouses will supply most of the energy needed, transitioning the RPower natural gas generators to backup and resilience roles.
“This collaboration aims to ensure that data centres can access reliable energy today while building a clear and practical pathway to clean energy in the future,” said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and chief executive officer of Oklo.
Oklo is a startup backed by OpenAI chief executive officer Sam Altman that is developing micro nuclear reactors.
Its Aurora nuclear power plant consists of a small fast neutron fission reactor with integrated solar panels. Aurora can produce up to 15 MW of power and operate for 10 years or longer before refuelling. It can also generate heat for industrial applications.
Oklo has not deployed a reactor yet. The company aims to bring its first plant online at Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls in 2027.