A job posting suggests that Microsoft is planning to explore the use of small nuclear reactors for its major data centers. Credit: Getty Images A job posting from Microsoft, for a qualified nuclear technology program manager, indicates that the company is planning to integrate small nuclear reactors into its power systems for data centers. The software giant is already working with at least one third-party nuclear energy provider in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. The ad, though, signals an effort to make nuclear energy an important part of its energy strategy. The posting said that the new nuclear expert “will maintain a clear and adaptable roadmap for the technology’s integration,” and have “experience in the energy industry and a deep understanding of nuclear technologies and regulatory affairs.” Microsoft has made no public statement on the specific goals of its nuclear energy program, but the obvious possibility — particularly in the wake of its third-party nuclear enegry deal — is a concern for environmental issues. Although nuclear power has long been plagued by serious concerns about its safety and role in nuclear weapons proliferation, the rapidly worsening climate situation makes it a comparatively attractive alternative to fossil fuels, given the relatively large amount of energy it that can be generated without producing atmospheric emissions. The job posting specified that Microsoft is looking for someone familiar with Small Modular Reactors, or SMRs. These are, as the name suggests, much smaller reactors than the facility-scale nuclear power plants of the public imagination, which can nevertheless generate substantial amounts of power — one such reactor, which recently became the first certified for use in the US by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, generates about 50MW of power from a light-water design, requiring a facility about a third of the size of a standard power plant. (Light-water reactors, which use normal water instead of deuterium-rich heavy water, account for the vast majority of modern nuclear power plants, as they are generally thought to be easier to build and they do not generate excess fissile material, as some older designs do.) Microreactors are also mentioned in Microsoft’s advertising. These, naturally enough, are even smaller designs, potentially capable of being used in mobile applications, producing between 1MW and 20MW of power. The technology for microreactors, however, is still in the fairly early stages of development, with NASA working to build small powerplants for potential use in space, and civilian applications still in the research and testing phase. Microsoft has already moved to embrace nuclear power, signing a deal in June with Virginia-based nuclear plant operator Constellation Energy to power a data center in that area, with the aim of making that data center’s power source carbon free. Related content news analysis Apple earnings: About that iPhone 'slump' in China Based on information from Thursday's earnings report, it seems that data pointing to an iPhone slump in China were over-baked. By Jonny Evans May 03, 2024 9 mins iMac iPhone Apple news Microsoft begins to phase out ‘classic’ Teams Microsoft is encouraging Teams customers to move to the new, faster version of the collaboration app; the older version will be switched off next year. By Matthew Finnegan May 03, 2024 3 mins Microsoft Teams Collaboration Software Productivity Software news analysis Apple confirms it will open up the iPad in Europe this fall The latest efforts to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act mean developers can offer to side load apps to both iPhones and iPads in the EU. Apple has also taken steps to improve what it offers to smaller and non-commercial developers in the By Jonny Evans May 02, 2024 6 mins iPad Apple Mobile Apps news Udacity offers laid-off US workers free access to its courses for 30 days Sign-ups will be available over the next 30 days By Lucas Mearian May 02, 2024 4 mins Technology Industry IT Jobs IT Skills Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe