Nvidia wants in on the nuclear renaissance, invests in Bill-Gates backed TerraPower

Funding and Investment - TerraPower announced a new funding round of $650 million to support the construction of its first commercial power plant [1] - Nvidia's venture arm, NVentures, participated in this funding round, marking its first investment in the energy sector [1] - Bill Gates and HD Hyundai, both existing investors, also contributed to this funding round [1] Project Development - TerraPower began construction of its first power plant in Wyoming in June 2024, although it has not yet received approval for the reactor [2] - The company anticipates receiving the necessary permits in the following year, supported by the favorable regulatory environment under the Trump administration [2] - The first reactor is expected to generate 345 megawatts of electricity, positioning it between conventional large reactors and future small modular reactors [2] Reactor Technology - TerraPower's Natrium reactors utilize molten sodium for cooling instead of water, allowing for a more efficient operation [3] - The design incorporates excess sodium to maintain operation during low demand periods, storing heat for later use when demand increases [3] - This operational flexibility enables Natrium reactors to maintain a steady output, addressing the challenge of nuclear plants' inability to easily ramp production up or down [3] Future Plans and Costs - The company claims it can complete a reactor within three years after the initial concrete is poured, although significant site preparation is required beforehand [7] - The projected cost for the first Natrium reactor could reach $4 billion, with the Department of Energy potentially covering half of this expense [7] - TerraPower previously considered a different reactor design but shifted to the Natrium design due to uncertainties [6]