New Power Generation

New figures on global electricity generation show coal remained the largest source in 2024, producing about 34% of the world's power, while wind and solar together reached 15%, up from just 4% a decade earlier. The data, presented as charts mapped onto the world map, are drawing attention to the slow pace of the energy transition despite rapid renewables growth.

Growth in solar and wind power is limiting the use of natural gas in the United States even as overall electricity demand increases. The finding suggests renewables are increasingly meeting new consumption needs that would previously have been covered by gas-fired generation, a notable shift in the US energy mix.

YouTube has announced an AI-powered editing assistant along with new insight tools aimed at helping creators produce and improve their content. The announcement, reported by Mashable, signals YouTube's continued push into artificial intelligence features for its creator community. The new tools are expected to streamline video editing and give creators deeper data about their audiences and performance.

New AI chips are roughly ten times more energy-efficient than previous generations, yet overall electricity demand from data centers continues to rise sharply. The paradox is drawing attention across the tech and energy sectors: efficiency gains are being swamped by explosive growth in AI workloads, as more powerful models and wider adoption push operators to expand capacity faster than hardware improvements can offset consumption.

Meta is preparing to launch three new devices: smart glasses without a built-in camera, an AI-powered keychain, and a new pair of VR glasses. The camera-free design is drawing particular attention as it addresses privacy concerns that have weighed on previous smart glasses. The AI keychain suggests the company is exploring smaller, wearable form factors for its assistant technology. Tech commentators are watching to see how the trio of products fits into Meta's broader push into artificial intelligence hardware.

Nissan has presented its third-generation e-POWER powertrain, the company's series-hybrid system in which a petrol engine generates electricity to drive the wheels via an electric motor. Details published on Nissan's global site outline the technology's evolution, and the announcement is drawing attention among car and technology enthusiasts following the news.

Qualcomm has announced its next generation flagship mobile processors, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. The new chips are set to power upcoming premium smartphones, continuing Qualcomm's Elite line of top-tier mobile silicon. Details on performance gains and supported devices are expected as handset makers confirm adoption in the coming months.

Cybersecurity firm Group-IB has identified RemControl, a new Android banking trojan distributed through fake TVTap streaming apps. The malware uses AI-generated phishing overlays to trick users into entering banking PINs and credentials, which are then stolen. Security researchers are warning Android users to avoid unofficial app sources as the trojan spreads.

Scientists are testing whether solar panels can generate electricity when submerged about 10 metres below the sea surface. The experiment explores whether sunlight penetrating water can be harvested in marine environments, potentially opening new sites for renewable energy where land and surface space are limited. Interest in the project reflects broader curiosity about unconventional ways to expand solar capacity worldwide.

Quebec's provincial election reaches its climax on October 5, with polls showing the Parti Québécois headed for power, though whether it wins a majority remains uncertain. Party leaders are making final pitches as the campaign wraps up, and CTV News Montreal is planning live primetime coverage of the vote. In the US, Pete Hegseth's new 'field manual' for troops is drawing attention.

Italy's Senate has given final approval to a law from Giorgia Meloni's government establishing a new framework for producing nuclear energy, nearly four decades after the country abandoned nuclear power following the 1987 referendum. The government plans to focus on new-generation nuclear technology as part of its energy strategy.

Dun & Bradstreet has announced the launch of new AI-powered capabilities, expanding its suite of business data and analytics tools. The announcement, reported by ABF Journal, signals the company's continued push to embed artificial intelligence into its commercial data services. Details on specific features and availability were not provided, but the move aligns with a broader industry trend of business information providers adding generative and predictive AI to their platforms.

BYD appears to be deploying a new generation of megawatt chargers with even higher power output than its existing units. The Chinese automaker already leads on ultra-fast charging with chargers capable of around 1 megawatt, and the rollout would extend that lead, enabling faster refueling for electric vehicles and its commercial truck fleet.

Aaron Sorkin is drawing attention with 'The Social Reckoning,' his follow-up to 'The Social Network.' In interviews with Vanity Fair, Sorkin discusses the film's portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg and the tech industry's relationship with Donald Trump and political power. The project is generating buzz as audiences speculate how it will depict Facebook's founder in the current political climate.

The Tennessee Valley Authority set new power demand records as a September heatwave pushed temperatures across the Tennessee Valley to extreme levels. With residents and businesses running air conditioning at full tilt, electricity use climbed past typical seasonal peaks, forcing the utility to draw on its full generating fleet. The records underline how late-season heat is straining the regional power grid.

A new Modern Retail report examines how Generation Alpha, children and young teens now shaping household buying decisions, view and influence brands. The piece covers the generation's trust in influencers, their comfort with AI-generated content and personalities, and what retailers and marketers need to understand to reach this emerging consumer group as their spending power grows.

Huawei has unveiled its Watch GT 7 smartwatch series, highlighting AI-powered health tracking and a battery life of up to 21 days. The announcement is drawing strong attention from tech audiences, with coverage focusing on the long battery life and new health-monitoring features as the main selling points of the lineup.

Nissan is presenting the third generation of its e-POWER powertrain, its series-hybrid system in which a petrol engine acts solely as a generator for an electric drivetrain. The announcement, detailed on Nissan's global innovation page, is drawing attention among technology and automotive enthusiasts interested in whether the new version improves efficiency, refinement and the driving experience.

The New York Power Authority is set to become the majority owner of a new solar facility in Canton, New York. The project marks a further step in the state's push to expand renewable energy generation in the North Country region, though details on capacity, cost and timeline have not yet been released.

The Tennessee Valley Authority generated record amounts of electricity to keep homes powered during September's heatwave, local outlet WBIR reports. The utility met unprecedented demand for air conditioning across the Tennessee Valley as extreme heat pushed residents' energy use to new highs, testing the region's power grid.