Live data from Hacker News

TerraPower in deal with Meta for eight Natrium 345 MW nuclear plants

neutronbytes.com

71–80 of 108 posts

Re: TerraPower in deal with Meta for eight Natrium 345 MW nuclear plants

#71
post #68
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Since it was just released, that’s pretty hard to do eh? I’m familiar with the reactors built on other previous ‘expedited’ processes that ended up being anything but fast. We’ll see how it goes eh?

If it was just released, then your claims about it are entirely hypothetical and best-case-scenario. Of course we have to "see how it goes" - there's no merit but hopefulness to your stance...

A change in regulations is not a meritless argument, it's useful information

Re: TerraPower in deal with Meta for eight Natrium 345 MW nuclear plants

#72
post #68
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Since it was just released, that’s pretty hard to do eh? I’m familiar with the reactors built on other previous ‘expedited’ processes that ended up being anything but fast. We’ll see how it goes eh?

If it was just released, then your claims about it are entirely hypothetical and best-case-scenario. Of course we have to "see how it goes" - there's no merit but hopefulness to your stance...

Lol, that every prior process has gone this way (including ‘express’ processes) surely has no value? Uh huh.

Re: TerraPower in deal with Meta for eight Natrium 345 MW nuclear plants

#73

Does anyone understand how Meta is able to spend so much money on AI with basically no AI product to speak of? Especially after sinking billions of dollars into a failed VR product? I just don't really understand why they are investing in data centers, I don't know of any actual product they offer that anyone is seriously considering using in the space.

They're not using their money, they're borrowing it and using Special Purpose Vehicles to book the debt so it doesn't hit their own balance sheet.

Re: TerraPower in deal with Meta for eight Natrium 345 MW nuclear plants

#74
post #37
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Basically the built plant must pass a rigorous inspection before starting operations. But for that the plant needs to be built!

And built well, which has been a source of big delays in the past.

Many times the reason for this was that the regulations changed during the build necessitating parts to be rebuilt

Re: TerraPower in deal with Meta for eight Natrium 345 MW nuclear plants

#75

Does anyone understand how Meta is able to spend so much money on AI with basically no AI product to speak of? Especially after sinking billions of dollars into a failed VR product? I just don't really understand why they are investing in data centers, I don't know of any actual product they offer that anyone is seriously considering using in the space.

Who cares about them, at least maybe there might be another viable nuclear reactor after they throw a lot of money at it. They lost money on dumb stuff: the metaverse, VR. By all means, throw money at a few nuclear reactors, at least those are useful to keep the lights on.

They probably want to better target ads and generate outrage slop with AI. That was always the plan: spy on people, make them unhappy, sell ads and maybe also provide the means to scoundrels to scam the elderly in the process.

Re: TerraPower in deal with Meta for eight Natrium 345 MW nuclear plants

#76

Does anyone understand how Meta is able to spend so much money on AI with basically no AI product to speak of? Especially after sinking billions of dollars into a failed VR product? I just don't really understand why they are investing in data centers, I don't know of any actual product they offer that anyone is seriously considering using in the space.

Meta uses its ai products internally. I can't actually go read the reporting for you where they've talked about, but they talk about it regularly.

Re: TerraPower in deal with Meta for eight Natrium 345 MW nuclear plants

#77
post #7

Their first demonstration reactor is scheduled to go online in 2031. But they’re going to build 8 production reactors, with all the regulatory hurdles, in any reasonable length of time? Right. The headline should probably be, “Meta invests in nuclear startup” and leave it there. My guess is this deal is quietly swept under the rug when the first reactor fails to go fully online by 2032.

Concur, if it was an established builder with decades of know-how and experience doing a new buildout system maybe would be plausible to expect a reduction in the timeline for delivery. For comparison , the Chinese and Koreans who ae about the only players that have been consistently building/delivering reactors at scale over the last 30 odd years take a minimum of 9-10yrs. Expecting a commercially viable fleet buildout in half that time with less human capital and institutional knowhow is wildly optimistc. Maybe they subcontract out to the Koreans and get the running start that way?

Re: TerraPower in deal with Meta for eight Natrium 345 MW nuclear plants

#78

I think it is a bad idea to allow Meta to participate in nuclear reactor operations. Nuclear reactors and other power infrastructure should be utility-owned and managed under clear regulations designed to eliminate the possibility of control by outside interests who might, or would, be tempted to unload byproducts suitable for production of weapons to anyone who had the money to buy them. They should be prohibited fr…

Most nuclear power plants worldwide are owned and operated by private companies rather than governments? If anything, nuclear tends to be much more strictly regulated than the 73 GW (wtf) of off-grid mostly gas plants to power datacenters for example. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/fast-tracked-power-p...

I am kinda surprised that there are enough turbines to accommodate such spike in demand.

Re: TerraPower in deal with Meta for eight Natrium 345 MW nuclear plants

#79

Does anyone understand how Meta is able to spend so much money on AI with basically no AI product to speak of? Especially after sinking billions of dollars into a failed VR product? I just don't really understand why they are investing in data centers, I don't know of any actual product they offer that anyone is seriously considering using in the space.

> with basically no AI product to speak of?

I don't use Meta products regularly, but they've crowbarred the "Meta AI" feature into everything - FB Messenger, Whatsapp, Instagram... There's even a standalone website to chat with the Meta AI model similar to chatgpt:

> https://www.meta.ai/

I'm certainly prepared to agree that they don't have a huge amount of traction or marketshare, but they absolutely have already built AI products and they exist.

Outside of their own consumer products, there's the family of llama models too etc.

Re: TerraPower in deal with Meta for eight Natrium 345 MW nuclear plants

#80

I think it is a bad idea to allow Meta to participate in nuclear reactor operations. Nuclear reactors and other power infrastructure should be utility-owned and managed under clear regulations designed to eliminate the possibility of control by outside interests who might, or would, be tempted to unload byproducts suitable for production of weapons to anyone who had the money to buy them. They should be prohibited fr…

?

just because Meta is funding or purchasing power from a nuclear plant doesn't put those plants outside regulatory jurisdiction

Post reply on HN