The new silicon valley (literally)
The new silicon valley (literally) Arizona’s economy was once dominated by the “five C’s”: cotton, cattle, citrus, copper, and climate. But a new C has emerged that could grow to overshadow the rest: chips. New semiconductor manufacturing facilities are springing up across the greater Phoenix area, stretching across blocks of new roads with names like […]
How deep-sea mining could threaten a vital ocean food source
How deep-sea mining could threaten a vital ocean food source Nodules containing nickel, cobalt, and manganese rest atop these core samples taken from the deep ocean floor. | Photo: Getty Images The race to mine battery minerals from the ocean floor would create a new stream of waste that could rob sea life of a […]
Google has a ‘moonshot’ plan for AI data centers in space
Google has a 'moonshot' plan for AI data centers in space Google has dreamed up a potential new way to get around resource constraints for energy-hungry AI data centers on Earth — launching its AI chips into space on solar-powered satellites. It’s a ‘moonshot’ research project Google announced today called Project Suncatcher. If it can […]
Another shuttered nuclear power plant is getting new life, thanks to Big Tech
Another shuttered nuclear power plant is getting new life, thanks to Big Tech The Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa. Google announced plans to revive a nuclear power plant that shut down in 2020, as it looks to secure enough electricity for its AI data centers. The company announced a 25-year agreement with NextEra Energy […]
Google is turning on the gas for its data centers
Google is turning on the gas for its data centers Google’s latest pledge to support a new clean energy technology is… a gas project? To be precise, it’s a gas-fired power plant outfitted with filtering devices to capture its planet-heating carbon emissions. Is this just a polluting fossil fuel project in sheep’s clothing? Google just […]
Amazon shares a ‘first look’ at new nuclear facility
Amazon shares a 'first look' at new nuclear facility A rendering of the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility. | Image: X-energy via Amazon Amazon shared some new details about its plans to help deploy more nuclear energy across Washington State, where the company is headquartered. About a year ago, Amazon announced an agreement with Energy Northwest, a consortium of […]
EcoFlow’s Delta Pro Ultra X can power a home for weeks
EcoFlow's Delta Pro Ultra X can power a home for weeks EcoFlow’s Delta Pro Ultra X inverter unit stacked on top of two expansion batteries, and plugged into a Smart Home Panel 3. | Image: EcoFlow EcoFlow just announced its latest “most powerful” and “easy-to-install” whole-home battery backup system. It’s called the Delta Pro Ultra […]
Microsoft says this new cooling method could enable more powerful chips and efficient data centers
Microsoft says this new cooling method could enable more powerful chips and efficient data centers Grooves etched onto the back of a microchip allow coolant to flow through them. Microsoft is making advances with a new way to cool microchips that it says could lead to more energy-efficient data centers in the future. It’s a […]
Google says a typical AI text prompt only uses 5 drops of water — experts say that’s misleading
Google says a typical AI text prompt only uses 5 drops of water — experts say that's misleading Google says a typical AI text prompt only uses 5 drops of water — experts say that’s misleading Amid a fierce debate about the environmental toll of artificial intelligence, Google released a new study that says its […]
Google announced the next step in its nuclear energy plans
Google announced the next step in its nuclear energy plans Google is one step closer to reaching its nuclear ambitions now that it’s working with public power utility Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to purchase electricity from a next-generation reactor. It’s the first power purchase agreement for technology this advanced that a US utility has made, […]