Addressing the ongoing power shortage in AI data centers has revived interest in nuclear energy, a technology that had previously fallen out of favor. Companies like Constellation Energy and innovative startups such as Oklo are currently exploring nuclear options. However, an unexpected proposal from a Texas energy developer has emerged: repurposing nuclear reactors from decommissioned naval vessels.
HGP Intelligent Energy LLC has proposed to redirect retired reactors from Navy warships, starting with the soon-to-be retired aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, for a data center project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This initiative aims to produce around 450-520 megawatts of steady power—enough to supply power to approximately 360,000 homes, or a single large data center.
The USS Nimitz isn’t alone in this retirement; a total of ten Nimitz-class carriers are set to be retired alongside the aging Los Angeles-class submarines, which also possess nuclear reactors, albeit less powerful than those in aircraft carriers.
The rewiring process for these reactors is anticipated to cost between $1 million to $4 million per megawatt, presenting a significantly lower expense compared to the construction of new reactors. Nonetheless, this project is complex, requiring five stages and an estimated decade to complete.
HGP’s proposal includes a revenue-sharing model with the government and the establishment of a decommissioning fund. If not repurposed, the reactors would simply go through lengthy decommissioning procedures before being transported to a storage facility in Washington state.
While the idea is intriguing, it faces considerable hurdles. Kristen Vosmaer, managing director of JLL Work Dynamics, points out significant challenges. Naval reactors utilize weapons-grade uranium, which civilian entities cannot legally possess. Furthermore, there is currently no regulatory pathway provided by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for licensing such facilities. Additionally, the reactors would need extensive modifications to comply with civilian safety standards, which would negate any cost advantages relative to building new reactors.
Nevertheless, Vosmaer notes that the general maritime concept holds merit. Ocean cooling could lower energy consumption compared to land-based data centers, and floating platforms may offer positioning flexibility unattainable by fixed facilities.
In contrast, floating natural gas turbine barges represent a more immediate and practical alternative. These systems, which operate within established regulatory frameworks, can be deployed in 12 to 24 months—considerably faster than the uncertain timeline for nuclear project approvals. Natural gas barges can deliver reliable energy and leverage seawater for cooling, allowing for an energy solution that is both scalable and relocatable.
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