The US now has three microreactors running – and data centers are watching closely

Unity microreactor reaches criticality

Unity, a microreactor from Houston-based Deployable Energy, is the latest of the three to reach criticality as part of a Department of Energy effort to accelerate advanced nuclear demonstrations.

A reactor from Torrance-based Antares and another from El Segundo-based Valar Atomics cleared the same hurdle in June.

Data center interest grows

Data center operators are watching these developments closely, as microreactors could provide dedicated, carbon-free power for facilities that require high reliability and density.