The world’s first nuclear-powered data center makes headway as Crusoe partners with Aalo for deployment. The project is located at the Idaho National Lab (INL) with Aalo providing the small modular reactors. The partnership will see Crusoe deploy one of its Crusoe Spark modular data centers at the facility in 2027 as a proof-of-concept project. The Spark unit will be powered directly by Aalo’s Pod reactor.

It is a 50MWe reactor that comprises five individual Aalo-1 microreactors (each with a capacity of 10MWe). It will also be paired with a single power-generating turbine. Following this, the companies said they intend to deploy Aalo Pods across Crusoe’s data center portfolio by the end of 2029. “The next generation of AI infrastructure demands power that is reliable, abundant, clean, and at scale, and Aalo’s nuclear reactors are built to meet that need,” said Cully Cavness, co-founder, president, and chief strategy officer, Crusoe. Crusoe is also working on the Goodnight data center in Armstrong County, Texas as it files for two more data center buildings.

Outlook on the World’s First Nuclear-powered Data Center

The world’s first nuclear-powered data center at INL is a major step towards charting a course towards sustainability. “One of Crusoe’s core values is to ‘bend the arc of energy toward sustainability,’ and within that value we embrace the principle of using Crusoe’s market position to support and accelerate energy innovation. In line with our core values, we look forward to Aalo and also Crusoe jointly demonstrating to the industry the first AI data center powered by a small modular nuclear reactor.”

Aalo was one of four advanced nuclear companies to reach criticality of its reactor earlier this month, as part of the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Reactor Pilot Program. The company reported that it had achieved criticality for its Aalo-X Critical Test Reactor in the early morning hours of July 4, 2026, at the INL. The Aalo-X reactor is a precursor to the company’s flagship offering, dubbed the Aalo pod. The 50MW microreactor comprises five 10MWe reactors driving a single turbine.

It is also sodium and air-cooled, meaning it requires no external water source. The Crusoe Spark is a prefabricated AI data center housed in a shipping-sized container, announced in June of last year. Crusoe claims it is a fully integrated AI solution that integrates GPU racks, cooling, power distribution, remote monitoring, and fire suppression into a transportable chassis.

Project Overview

• Project: World’s First Nuclear-Powered Data Center
• Location: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho
• Partners: Crusoe & Aalo
• Status: Proof-of-concept deployment planned for 2027

Scope

• Crusoe Spark modular data center
• Aalo Pod 50MWe microreactor
• Five 10MWe Aalo-1 reactors
• AI infrastructure powered by nuclear energy

Project Highlights

• First AI data center powered by an SMR
• Direct reactor-to-data center power supply
• Water-free sodium and air-cooled reactor
• Also portfolio-wide deployment targeted by 2029

Key Developments

• Aalo-X reactor reached criticality in July 2026
• Supported under the DOE Reactor Pilot Program
• Crusoe Spark uses prefabricated modular design
• Integrates GPUs, cooling, power, and fire suppression

Outlook

• Demonstration project scheduled for 2027
• Also wider deployment planned through 2029
• Supports sustainable AI infrastructure
• Could also accelerate adoption of nuclear-powered data centers