A.I.’s Energy Boom Needs Safer Nuclear Power

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A.I.'s Energy Boom Needs Safer Nuclear Power

https://www.realclearenergy.org/articles/2026/06/04/ais_energy_boom_needs_safer_nuclear_power_1186935.html

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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission recently granted a fuel fabrication license to X-energy for a facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This site will produce TRISO fuel, which utilizes a multi-layer coating to prevent core melting. The Department of Energy is currently supporting this initiative to accelerate the deployment of next-generation modular and microreactors.

The adoption of TRISO fuel represents a shift toward passive safety systems that function without human intervention or mechanical backup. By addressing long-standing public concerns regarding reactor safety, this technology aims to facilitate the integration of nuclear power into the energy portfolios of major technology firms. These companies are increasingly seeking reliable, high-density power sources to support the electricity demands of expanding artificial intelligence data centers.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's call last year to develop advanced nuclear power facilities in upstate New York triggered protests from the usual anti-nuclear groups, including the Sierra Club. These critic

Advanced Nuclear Fuel Could End Decades of Public Fear and Unlock Nuclear's AI-Powered Future

It's called TRISO fuel, short for TRI-structural Isotropic, referring to the three material layers and the uniform protective coating surrounding each uranium fuel particle. TRISO fuel particles are tiny—about the size of a poppy seed. They consist of a uranium core encased in layers of carbon and silicon carbide. These protective layers act as a built-in safety system, making the particles extremely resistant to high temperatures. "TRISO particles cannot melt in a commercial high-temperature...

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https://www.realclearenergy.org/articles/2026/06/04/ais_energy_boom_needs_safer_nuclear_power_1186935.html