Oracle is undertaking an unprecedented project to build a data center supported by three nuclear reactors. This bold move is designed to meet the exploding energy demands required by sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) models.
Larry Ellison, co-founder and chairman of Oracle, unveiled these plans during a recent earnings call, emphasizing the scale and complexity of the company’s vision to create the most powerful supercomputer ever, surpassing even the mighty Colossus.
Building permits for three nuclear reactors
Oracle already operates 162 cloud data centers worldwide. Their largest data center currently stands at 800 megawatts, featuring vast Nvidia GPU clusters designed to train expansive AI models, necessary for staying competitive in developing powerful artificial neural networks. Oracle aims to exceed this with data centers surpassing one gigawatt, utilizing ultra-high bandwidth RDMA networks and enormous 32,000-node Nvidia GPU clusters, cementing its position in the AI training business.
Larry Ellison emphasized the continuous nature of AI development, where costs for training advanced neural networks are astronomical. He stated, ‘The entry price for a real frontier model from someone who wants to compete in that area is around $100 billion. Let me repeat, around $100 billion.’ Oracle is actively designing a data center north of a gigawatt, already securing building permits for three small modular nuclear reactors to power this facility. This highlights the escalating complexity and scale of AI projects.
Ellison has not revealed the exact location or timeline for this ambitious project. However, securing permits for three advanced nuclear reactors demonstrates Oracle’s commitment to tackling the immense energy requirements of its future supercomputer, expected to surpass existing giants like xAI’s new supercluster, Colossus.
Rising energy demands in AI
In a landscape where AI models are increasingly sophisticated, energy demands have soared. Oracle’s planned data center aims to address this by leveraging over one gigawatt of power generated from its dedicated nuclear reactors, ensuring sufficient energy to support its advanced computing needs.
Oracle’s strategic move to employ small modular reactors (SMRs) is pivotal. Currently, operational SMRs are limited, with significant deployments in Japan, China, and Russia. With the first U.S. certification secured by Oregon-based NuScale Power, Oracle’s choice to invest in this technology reflects its forward-thinking approach to sustainable energy solutions for large-scale data centers.
Oracle’s roadmap to innovation
Oracle’s vision includes constructing data centers powered by nuclear energy to meet the growing energy demands of cutting-edge AI projects.
The company’s dedication to innovation is evident in its efforts to build some of the world’s largest data centers with advanced GPU clusters. This infrastructure is essential for staying competitive in AI and handling ever-increasing computational loads.
Oracle has proven expertise in developing enormous data centers, highlighted by Larry Ellison’s statements on their capabilities in the AI training sector. Their new gigawatt-plus data center is an extension of this legacy, aiming to set new benchmarks in the industry.
The global trend towards SMRs
Small modular reactors have gained traction as a viable power source for large-scale facilities, like Oracle’s proposed data center. These reactors offer efficiency and scalability that align with Oracle’s ambitious plans.
Despite the potential of SMRs, there are only a few operational units worldwide, mainly in Japan, China, and Russia. Oracle’s partnership with NuScale Power, a pioneer in the U.S. SMR market, marks a critical step towards integrating advanced nuclear technology into data center operations.
Economic and environmental implications
Economic feasibility is a crucial factor in Oracle’s decision to use SMRs. The initial cost for building such frontier data centers is approximately $100 billion, reflecting the significant investment required for cutting-edge AI infrastructure.
Moreover, the environmental benefits of SMRs cannot be overlooked. They present a cleaner energy alternative compared to traditional power sources, reducing the carbon footprint of large data centers. Oracle’s move not only aims to meet its massive energy demands but also aligns with global efforts to adopt sustainable practices in technology.
Oracle’s long-term vision
Oracle’s project embodies a long-term vision of efficiency, sustainability, and supremacy in technological innovation. By integrating nuclear power, Oracle is setting a precedent for future data center designs, potentially influencing industry-wide practices.
This venture into nuclear-powered data centers showcases Oracle’s commitment to remain at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring it stays competitive in the evolving landscape of AI and computing. Oracle’s initiative could potentially drive broader acceptance and implementation of SMRs in various sectors.
Next steps for Oracle
While details about the location and timeline remain undisclosed, Oracle’s next steps will likely involve rigorous planning and collaboration with regulatory bodies to ensure the safe and efficient deployment of SMRs.
Oracle’s approach marks a significant shift in how energy is sourced for data centers. The successful implementation of nuclear-powered data centers could redefine industry standards and set a new benchmark for energy efficiency and sustainability.
Oracle’s initiative to harness nuclear power for its upcoming data center marks a transformative approach in tackling energy demands for advanced AI. This project highlights Oracle’s dedication to innovation and sustainability.
As Oracle moves forward, the tech world will be watching closely to see if this pioneering effort sets a new standard for data centers globally, potentially reshaping the future of AI infrastructure and energy utilization.
Source: Techradar