Amazon follows Google’s lead and invests in small nuclear reactors. The headline is reminiscent of the 1950s.

Amazon Web Services announced investment in three nuclear energy projects. This included another bid to build small modules reactors. Amazon is not the only tech giant to be cosying up to nuclear energy. Google's deals may be different, but the general idea is the same.

Google's agreement is a commitment to buy power generated by a fleet of SMRs, should they be built before the optimistic 2035 deadline. Amazon pays money up front in the case with X-Energy. (via Ars Technica). It's a straightforward investment in the business, and it's arguably the foundation of Amazon's two other nuclear energy deals, with utility companies Energy Northwest, and Dominion Energy. They'll both be using X-Energy SMR designs.

The fact that this SMR design has not yet been approved by a regulatory body is what gives me pause. The phrase "nuclear energy startup" still makes me feel The Fear.

The total monetary amount of this investment is not clearly stated, except for X-Energy stating that Amazon's contribution was only part of a "round of approximately $500 million" of investment from different partners. These funds will be used to "complete X-energy’s reactor design and licensing."

SMRs are praised for their smaller footprint and scalable design when compared to more traditional nuclear power stations. If you need more power, you can easily plug in more SMRs. This reactor design is also preferred because essential parts can be manufactured using mass production techniques in a central facility, before being shipped elsewhere. The infrastructure needed to facilitate a build will be much more manageable. It's still a bit early to start getting fitted for a Vaultdweller steam suit.

SMRs can be a very attractive option for big tech companies that are looking to meet the ever-increasing energy needs of their data centres. No SMRs have been installed in the US. NuScale's SMR project, which was approved by the US government but ultimately cancelled due to the falling costs of renewable energy, was the only one that has been approved.

Amazon's investment is in X-Energy coincides with the tech giant's pursuit of solar and renewable energy projects. Amazon's interest is in nuclear power as a "least bad option," in part because renewable energy sources cannot always meet the round-the-clock energy demands data centres require. You'd need massive batteries if you relied solely on wind and solar to meet those demands. This chapter could be filed away on the same shelf with the Ford Nucleon Concept Car, given the current state SMRs.