Powering Future Data Centers with Small Modular Reactors
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Brian Johnson, University of Idaho; and Haydn Bryan, Idaho National Laboratory
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
The rapid growth of data centers is increasing the demand on the power system that will eventually lead to challenges for the reliability of the grid in some regions. A key challenge is that the rate of growth in demand is far faster than regulatory and permitting processes for installing new transmission and generation infrastructure to meet this demand. Utilities have begun looking into new generation technologies to help meet this demand, specifically looking at small modular reactors (SMRs) as a possible solution. To model the effects that adding SMRs collocated with data centers will have on the power system, this study will aim to solve both the power flow and transient stability problems within the Idaho region. The simulation software, PowerWorld, will be used to model the power system at different operating conditions. Conditions such as when a data center or SMR is lost, varying hydroelectric availability for load balancing during the different seasons, and N-1 and N-2 contingency events that will all be examined to answer the question: Can small modular reactors help meet future energy demand while maintaining grid reliability?
Powering Future Data Centers with Small Modular Reactors
The rapid growth of data centers is increasing the demand on the power system that will eventually lead to challenges for the reliability of the grid in some regions. A key challenge is that the rate of growth in demand is far faster than regulatory and permitting processes for installing new transmission and generation infrastructure to meet this demand. Utilities have begun looking into new generation technologies to help meet this demand, specifically looking at small modular reactors (SMRs) as a possible solution. To model the effects that adding SMRs collocated with data centers will have on the power system, this study will aim to solve both the power flow and transient stability problems within the Idaho region. The simulation software, PowerWorld, will be used to model the power system at different operating conditions. Conditions such as when a data center or SMR is lost, varying hydroelectric availability for load balancing during the different seasons, and N-1 and N-2 contingency events that will all be examined to answer the question: Can small modular reactors help meet future energy demand while maintaining grid reliability?