The Power Allocation

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we analyze the European Data Centre Association's 2026 forecast: 176 billion euros in investment through 2031—and why capacity growth is constrained by grid readiness, not capital availability. Europe's data center industry is hitting a wall that money alone can't solve. When grid constraints bite, capital flows to whoever has power access. Key topics cover...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we examine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's intervention in Dow and X-energy's four-reactor SMR proposal in Texas—and what financial qualification concerns mean for the broader advanced nuclear industry. This matters for data centers because X-energy has agreements with Amazon and others. Any delays in the Dow project ripple through the entire commercial...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we examine the economics of small modular reactors: current estimates put SMR electricity at around $182 per megawatt hour—roughly three times solar, four times natural gas. The economics don't work yet. But data centers may change that equation. When your alternative is no power at all—or waiting five years for interconnection—$182/MWh starts looking reaso...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we break down the March 4th White House announcement where seven major hyperscalers—Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and four others—signed a pledge to fund U.S. power grid upgrades specifically for data centers. This isn't a press release. It's a structural shift in who pays for grid infrastructure, moving from ratepayer-funded utility builds to direct private c...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we analyze Google's deal with Ormat Technologies and NV Energy for up to 150 megawatts of new geothermal capacity in Nevada—and why geothermal is emerging as a strategic power source for hyperscalers. Geothermal has a unique advantage: it's baseload. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal runs 24/7 at consistent output—matching data center load profiles almost p...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we examine the projected 44 gigawatt shortfall in U.S. electricity supply by 2028—driven primarily by AI data center growth—and why closing it requires the largest generation buildout since rural electrification. Forty-four gigawatts equals roughly 44 nuclear reactors, or 150 natural gas plants, or an incomprehensible amount of solar and wind with storage....

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we examine Duke Energy's data center contracts reaching 4.5 gigawatts after signing a deal with Microsoft for large-scale AI complexes in North Carolina—an unprecedented concentration of demand from a single customer category. 4.5 gigawatts equals roughly four nuclear power plants. Duke now faces adding generation capacity at a pace not attempted in decades...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we examine the economic reality of small modular reactors for data centers: current estimates put SMR electricity at around $182 per megawatt hour—roughly three times utility-scale solar and four times combined cycle natural gas. The SMR value proposition depends on costs falling dramatically through factory fabrication and standardized designs. But data ce...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we break down the March 4th White House announcement where seven major hyperscalers—Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and others—signed a pledge to fund U.S. power grid upgrades specifically for data centers. This isn't a press release. It's a structural shift in who pays for grid infrastructure. For decades, utilities built transmission with ratepayer money. Now...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we examine Duke Energy's unprecedented data center portfolio: 4.5 gigawatts of contracted capacity after signing a deal with Microsoft for large-scale AI complexes in North Carolina. To put that in perspective: 4.5 gigawatts equals roughly four nuclear power plants. One utility. One customer category. That concentration of demand is unprecedented in America...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we analyze the European Data Centre Association's 2026 forecast projecting 176 billion euros in investment through 2031—and the grid constraints that determine where that capital can actually flow. Europe's data center industry is hitting a wall that money alone can't solve. Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Dublin, London, Paris—every major hub has projects waiting fo...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we analyze Kazakhstan's announcement of Central Asia's largest data center campus in Ekibastuz with up to 1 gigawatt of energy capacity—and what it signals about AI infrastructure's global migration. Ekibastuz has what most markets lack: abundant, cheap electricity from Soviet-era coal plants now underutilized. Kazakhstan is positioning itself for customers...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we analyze Meta's groundbreaking on a 1 gigawatt data center campus in Lebanon, Indiana—backed by a $10 billion investment that demonstrates how secondary markets can capture hyperscale infrastructure by solving the power equation. One gigawatt equals enough power for 750,000 homes. Meta is building that capacity for servers in what was recently farmland. K...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we analyze Google's expanding geothermal strategy following their deal with Ormat Technologies and NV Energy for up to 150 megawatts of new geothermal capacity in Nevada. Geothermal offers something unique for data centers: true baseload power. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal runs 24/7—matching data center load profiles almost perfectly with no intermitte...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we analyze Meta's groundbreaking on a 1 gigawatt data center campus in Lebanon, Indiana—backed by a $10 billion investment that's reshaping how states compete for hyperscale projects. One gigawatt. One campus. That's enough to power 750,000 homes—and Meta is building it for servers. Indiana won by solving the power equation. Key topics covered: Why Lebanon,...

In this episode of The Power Allocation, we analyze Meta's groundbreaking on a 1 gigawatt data center campus in Lebanon, Indiana, backed by a $10 billion investment. One gigawatt. One campus. That's enough power for 750,000 homes—built for servers. Indiana won this project by solving the power equation: available land, cooperative utilities, streamlined permitting, and credible grid capacity. Key...

This episode provides a realistic assessment of when nuclear power will actually reach data centers, broken down by pathway. Key topics covered: Reactor restarts (fastest): Three Mile Island 2028, Palisades 2025 NuScale certified SMRs: 2028-2030 first deployments Advanced designs (Oklo, Kairos, X-energy): 2030+ commercial operation Micro reactors: fast construction once NRC certified Related keywo...

Hyperscalers are no longer waiting for utilities to build nuclear capacity—they're contracting directly with generators and investing billions in new reactor development. Key topics covered: Microsoft Three Mile Island restart agreement Amazon: $20B+ nuclear infrastructure investment including X-energy Google-Kairos Power: 500 MW advanced reactor partnership Meta: 6.6 GW nuclear agreements Related...

Long-duration energy storage is transforming the economics of renewable-powered data centers. Key topics covered: Form Energy iron-air batteries: 100+ hour discharge duration Chemistry basics: reversible rusting process stores and releases energy West Virginia manufacturing facility under construction Cost advantages from abundant iron vs. lithium/cobalt Related keywords: long-duration energy stor...

Nuclear fusion represents the ultimate clean energy source for data centers—but when will it actually deliver power? Key topics covered: Lawrence Livermore ignition milestone: net energy achieved December 2022 $10.6 billion private funding 2021-2025 Helion Energy-Microsoft PPA targeting 2028 delivery Commonwealth Fusion Systems building 400 MW SPARC device Related keywords: nuclear fusion data cen...

Geothermal energy is emerging as a significant power source for data centers, with Google's Fervo Energy partnership leading commercial-scale deployment. Key topics covered: Google-Fervo partnership: 115 MW enhanced geothermal in Nevada Cape Station Utah: 100 MW in 2026, expanding to 2 GW Horizontal drilling and fracking techniques from oil and gas Ormat Technologies adding 150 MW for Google expan...

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's approval process determines when advanced reactors can actually power data centers. Key topics covered: ADVANCE Act streamlining licensing for advanced reactors Part 53 performance-based framework expected March 2026 NuScale 462 MW approval completed in under two years TerraPower Natrium: first non-light water reactor approval in 50 years Related keywords: NRC a...

The Westinghouse eVinci represents the most radical departure from traditional nuclear architecture—a reactor that fits on a truck and uses passive heat pipe cooling. Key topics covered: 5 MW output with 8-year fuel cycle and passive cooling Heat pipe technology eliminating pumps and operator intervention Smaller than a school bus, installable on 2-acre sites Idaho National Laboratory testing sche...

NuScale Power is the only company with an NRC-certified small modular reactor design, and it's now targeting AI data centers as its primary market. Key topics covered: NRC design certification advantage over competitors VOYGR design: 77 MW per module, scalable to 924 MW ENTRA1-TVA agreement: 6 GW, 72 modules Standard Power: 2 GW for Ohio and Pennsylvania data centers by 2029 Related keywords: NuSc...

Oklo is betting its future on powering AI data centers with micro reactors. This episode explores the company's Aurora powerhouse design, its strategic partnership with Meta, and the regulatory pathway to commercial operation. Key topics covered: Aurora powerhouse: 15-50 MW units sized for data center campuses Sam Altman-backed SPAC merger connecting nuclear to AI ecosystem Sodium-cooled fast reac...