In the lead-up to Data Center World’s POWER event, we're giving you a preview of the key topics and discussions that will take center stage – and what makes them so critical.
Keeping up in the AI era isn’t just about building bigger or better data centers – it’s about finding the power to run them. With conventional energy sources straining, operators are seeking out next-generation options like small modular reactors (SMRs), hydrogen fuel cells, and advanced renewables. Let’s break down some of the key technologies driving the next wave of sustainable data center power.
A Nuclear Resurgence
Nuclear power, once sidelined, is now making a large-scale comeback as the pressure to deliver reliable, sustainable energy mounts. According to the 2025 State of the Data Center report, 33% of industry professionals now consider nuclear energy a key renewable power source for data centers, up from 21% in 2024.
Recent headlines reflect this upsurge. President Trump signed executive orders to accelerate nuclear reactor development, pushing the U.S. to quadruple its nuclear output over the next 25 years. This comes as states pour millions into next-gen nuclear reactors.
Hyperscalers have been betting big on nuclear as well. The long-dormant Three Mile Island nuclear plant is slated to come online in 2027, with Microsoft signing a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy. Meanwhile, Google is partnering with Elementl Power to develop three advanced nuclear sites in the U.S., Meta has announced a 20-year agreement to purchase over 1.1GW of nuclear power from the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, and Equinix has signed three nuclear deals totaling 774MW to power its operations.
At the forefront of this shift are small modular reactors – advanced nuclear reactors with a power capacity of up to 300 MW, roughly a third of traditional reactors. The federal government and tech giants are investing heavily in the technology, and SMR firms like Oklo and Kairos Power are racing to scale up nuclear fuel supply chains through a flurry of deals and investments.
While commercially available SMRs are expected in the late 2020s or early 2030s, challenges like technological refinement, regulatory approval, and viable business models remain. Despite these hurdles, SMRs hold immense promise for markets facing power constraints – particularly given their lower upfront cost and scalability potential.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Next-Gen Prospects
Hydrogen is another promising solution for sustainable data center power. Hydrogen fuel cells are already seeing early adoption as stationary power sources, running data centers and grid-scale backup systems. Putting these systems into real-world practice is helping operators test their scalability, efficiency, and integration with existing grid and onsite infrastructure. While still costly, pilot projects indicate a competitive long-term price curve and significant environmental benefits. Beyond emitting a few harmful emissions, hydrogen fuel cells provide consistent power regardless of weather, unlike wind and solar.
Meanwhile, frontier renewable technologies – including geothermal, floating nuclear, and innovative battery storage – are moving from concept to deployment. This includes lithium-free flow battery projects, which are particularly relevant given that recent data center fires have reignited industry-wide concerns about battery safety in high-density, high-voltage setups.
States like Alaska are also taking new, creative approaches to sustainable energy, leveraging regional advantages like abundant natural cooling and clean energy to attract AI-ready data centers.
Key Sessions at Data Center World POWER
Several sessions at the POWER event will unpack these emerging energy dynamics in depth and offer expert advice for navigating them:
Accelerating Nuclear Deployments for AI Infrastructure… within 5 Years (Wednesday): Department of Energy and industry leaders discuss SMRs, microreactors, and public-private partnerships accelerating nuclear solutions for AI facilities.
Deploying Small Modular Reactors Now: Case Studies, Costs, and Timelines (Tuesday): This session explores real-world SMR co-location projects, breaking down the regulatory, site readiness, and cost factors shaping nuclear’s role in data centers.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells: What’s Working, What’s Coming, and What It Costs (Wednesday): Gain insights into real-world hydrogen deployments, cost metrics, and scaling strategies for stationary power.
Watt’s Next?! An Electrifying Series of Micro-Talks (Wednesday): With land-based nuclear options limited, this lightning session examines the radical idea of floating nuclear-powered data centers built at scale in shipyards.
Keynote: Arctic Advantage: Alaska’s Emerging Data Center Frontier (Tuesday): Explore how Alaska’s natural cooling, energy independence, and other strategic advantages could make it the next frontier for sustainable, AI-ready data centers.