81st Edition

✍🏽 This Week on Landon in the Loop:

🌆 Let’s Talk Chicago Compute: Small Modular Reactors

📊 Chart of the Week

📆 Events Around the City

🔙 Previous Newsletter Editions

🌆 Let’s Talk Chicago Compute

Small Modular Reactors in Illinois

Hyperscalers are turning their attention to SMRs (small modular reactors) :

• Amazon is investing $500M to develop its own SMRs.

• Oracle is set to construct a gigawatt-scale data center powered by three SMRs.

• Google is partnering with Kairos Energy to develop SMRs.

Today, we’ll explore what SMRs are and why Illinois is best positioned to become a major hub for their deployment.

What are SMRs

• SMRs are compact nuclear reactors that generate up to 300 MW, allowing for easier integration into existing energy systems.

• SMRs have advanced safety measures and passive cooling systems, reducing accident risks and simplifying regulatory processes.

• Their flexible deployment allows utilities to scale energy production based on demand.

The Department of Energy’s Funding Announcement

• Last week, the DOE announced a $900m investment to support Generation III+ SMR deployments.

• The aim is to reduce build-out times by prioritizing smaller reactors.

• The investment is split into $800M for first-mover teams and $100M for design and licensing challenges.

The Illinois SMR Legislation

• Last December, Governor Pritzker signed House Bill 2473 whiched established a regulatory framework for SMRs in Illinois.

• This law caps capacity at 300 MW and mandates a study for regulatory guidance, with rules expected by January 2026.

• The bill passed with bipartisan support, despite questions about the technology's unproven nature (there are currently no active SMRs in the US).

My Thoughts

• SMRs have the potential to drive energy growth in the US, even though their commercial viability is still being established.

• With hyperscalers actively pursuing SMR deployments, the likelihood of operational reactors emerging in the coming years has significantly increased.

• Illinois can become a leading hub for SMRs, particularly given that we already have the highest number of operational reactors in the country.

📊 Chart of the Week

Chicago's rent growth has been trending downward in recent months, yet we still see a year-over-year increase.

Despite this growth, Chicago ranks as the 30th least expensive major city in the U.S.

To better meet demand and stabilize the rental market, it’s essential to create more housing supply.

📆 Events Around the City

AI Tinkerers Chicago Meetup - 1 Year Anniversary

• Tuesday

• RSVP

Scaling Journeys for Women Founders

• Tuesday

• RSVP

Early-Stage B2B SaaS VC/Founder Chicago Coffee Meetup

• Wednesday

• RSVP

CRYPTO CULTURE 101

• Wednesday

• RSVP

Figma Chicago Meetup

• Wednesday

• RSVP

Downtown Chicago Tech + Startups Social

• Wednesday

• RSVP

🗞 Previous Newsletter Editions:

#80 - Neoclouds in Chicago

#79 - Let’s Talk Chicago Compute

#78 - More Gigawatts in Chicago

#77 - Powering Chicago's Energy Future

👋 See you next week!

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for even more Chicago startup news.