ABS Report Details Design Considerations for Data Centers Supporting Rapid Growth of AI
How can the global energy grid keep pace with fast-growing demand from new data centers supporting artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing? Nuclear energy and coastal waters offer a potential answer.
The potential for floating nuclear-powered data centers is explored in depth in the latest industry-leading research from ABS and Herbert Engineering.
Pathways to a Low Carbon Future Floating Nuclear Power Data Center, their report, details design considerations for a floating data center that would use large river estuaries or coastal waters as a heat sink for both servers and small modular reactors (SMRs) onboard a purpose-built barge.
“The intersection of new nuclear technologies and rapidly growing AI capabilities represents a generational opportunity to power humanity’s future. As demand for data centers increases, moving them offshore and powering them with on board nuclear energy could mitigate certain risks and reduce the strain on local grids,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO.
The study provides ABS and the industry with important insight into heat and energy management for both servers and reactors, weight distribution, structural considerations, and other design features for floating nuclear power data centers. This will assist the identification of design issues that will inform future Rules development.
The report builds upon previous ABS and Herbert Engineering research around marinized and offshore applications for nuclear energy, including Pathways to a Low Carbon Future Floating Nuclear Power Plant (available here) and Pathways to a Low Carbon Future LNG Carrier Nuclear Ship Concept Design (available here).
ABS launched the industry’s first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power plants in 2024.
ABS Requirements for Nuclear Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications is available for download here.
ABS Launches Industry’s First Comprehensive Rules for Floating Nuclear Power at Joint Forum with Idaho National Laboratory
ABS Publishes Detailed Study of Floating Offshore Nuclear Power Plant at High Level Industry Event
The industry’s first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power plants were unveiled by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) at an October 2024 forum for nuclear industry leaders held jointly with Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
Held at ABS’ world headquarters in Texas, the event saw presentations on the latest reactor technologies from leading companies and publication of a detailed study from ABS and Herbert Engineering modeling the design, operation and emissions of a floating nuclear power plant.
“We demonstrated today that nuclear’s potential in the maritime domain is so much more than a reactor on a ship. Nuclear energy can link energy demands across the electric, industrial and shipping transportation sectors to optimize energy generation and use, maintain grid reliability and support decarbonization of shipping and industry. Not to mention its vast potential for the production of clean fuels such as e-ammonia and e-hydrogen,” Wiernicki said.
“It is clear that nuclear energy has the potential to be a disruptor for the maritime industry. This is why we are proud to produce the first comprehensive rule set for the industry as an important step forward for the adoption of the technology.”
The publication, ABS Requirements for Nuclear Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications, provides the first classification notation for nuclear power service assets such as floating nuclear power plants or nuclear-powered floating production, offloading and storage units. Uniquely, the requirements allow designers to consider any type of reactor technology and propose a framework for nuclear regulators to collaborate with Flag administrations and ABS for complete regulatory oversight and license.
The regulatory landscape around nuclear power plants was another key feature of the event, followed by workshops with offshore industry leaders to explore their requirements and understand operational challenges floating nuclear power plant technology will have to overcome.
“This is an exciting time for nuclear energy. Idaho National Laboratory is growing and working with industry partners like ABS to test and demonstrate advanced reactor technologies,” said Brad Tomer, COO of the National Reactor Innovation Center headquartered at INL. “Collaboration and discussions like these will be critical as we move forward in delivering the low-carbon, affordable and reliable power that nuclear energy provides.”
ABS is playing a leading role in helping government and industry work towards the adoption of advanced nuclear technology in commercial maritime, including key research with the U.S. Department of Energy and multiple New Technology Qualification and Approval-in-Principle projects with industry. Learn more here.
The ABS Requirements for Nuclear Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications are available to download here. The joint study is available here.
