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cover of episode How the AI boom is reviving Three Mile Island

How the AI boom is reviving Three Mile Island

2024/12/18
logo of podcast Behind the Money

Behind the Money

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
C
Constellation Energy
J
Jamie Smith
M
Michaela Tendera
P
Patricia Longnecker
播音员
主持著名true crime播客《Crime Junkie》的播音员和创始人。
Topics
播音员:我将回顾三里岛核事故的历史,以及它对美国核电行业的影响。这次事故导致公众对核电的信任度下降,并促使人们对核电的安全性产生担忧。然而,近年来,由于科技公司对能源的需求日益增长,核电的形象正在发生转变。 Michaela Tendera:科技巨头对能源的需求推动了对三里岛等旧核电站的重新利用。如果科技巨头无法获得足够的电力,美国将无法引领人工智能革命。 Jamie Smith:人工智能技术的发展导致美国电力需求激增,科技巨头寻求清洁能源来满足其人工智能需求,核电作为一种24/7可靠的电力来源,重新受到关注。美国正在评估多个核电站的重启和小型模块化反应堆的建设,核电公司的股价也因此上涨。 Constellation Energy:我们计划重启三里岛核电站的一个反应堆,为微软提供清洁可靠的电力,这标志着美国核电复兴的开始。 Patricia Longnecker:我经历了1979年三里岛核事故,并因此撤离。我认为1979年三里岛核事故的处理方式存在问题,重启三里岛核电站是不道德的,是对清理工作的忽视,是将利润置于安全之上。我的团体将利用一切法律手段来阻碍三里岛核电站的重启。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter recounts the 1979 Three Mile Island accident, its impact on public perception of nuclear power, and the subsequent shift in perspective due to Big Tech's energy demands.
  • Three Mile Island accident in 1979 - worst nuclear reactor accident to date
  • Partial meltdown and radiation leak
  • 140,000 people evacuated
  • Accident caused a huge panic and changed the mentality about nuclear power in the U.S.
  • Big tech companies' need for energy is reviving interest in nuclear power

Shownotes Transcript

Tech companies such as Google, Amazon and Microsoft need loads of electricity to power their artificial intelligence goals, and they are looking into all options, including nuclear power, to achieve them. That’s why Microsoft has partnered with a utility company to restart a reactor at Three Mile Island, the site of the worst nuclear disaster in US history. The FT's US energy editor Jamie Smyth explains what challenges lie ahead with a 2028 deadline looming.

  

Clips from CBS News, ABC News, WNEP

For further reading:

Restart of Three Mile Island tests US appetite for nuclear revival)

Resurgent US electricity demand sparks power grid warnings

Big Tech’s dash for nuclear power)

Follow Jamie Smyth and Michela Tindera on X (@JamieSmythF)) (@mtindera07)), on Bluesky (@jamiesmythft.bsky.social)), (@mtindera.bsky.social)) or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com)

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