Image: Baker Hughes
US-based Aalo Atomics has officially tapped energy technology giant Baker Hughes to provide the “power island” for its upcoming experimental reactor.
The deal is focused on a 10 MWe steam turbine generator set, which is a critical component that will convert thermal energy from Aalo’s sodium-cooled reactor into electricity. The electricity generated through this system is intended to power modern AI data centers.
The collaboration focuses on the Aalo-X, the company’s experimental pilot reactor.
Baker Hughes, which is known for its industrial-grade energy equipment, was selected specifically for its modular design philosophy that mirrors Aalo’s own “plug-and-play” approach to nuclear deployment. Baker Hughes’ modular design approach mirrors Aalo’s focus on creating modular reactors, making it an ideal supplier and collaborator.
Aalo Atomics is carving out a new niche in the energy market with what it calls the Extra-Modular Reactor (XMR). It is designed to bridge the gap between tiny microreactors and larger Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The XMR is specifically tailored for the massive, 24/7 power demands of AI infrastructure.
Unlike traditional nuclear plants that use water for cooling, Aalo’s XMRs utilize liquid sodium metal. It allows for higher energy density, provides more power in a smaller footprint, and creates efficient power production specifically tailored for industrial-scale data centers.
Source: Interesting Engineering
Image: Baker Hughes