Power Technology

SpaceX is set to launch its Starship megarocket to orbit for the first time ever today, September 28, with live coverage planned. The test flight of the tallest and most powerful rocket ever built is a key milestone for the vehicle that SpaceX intends to use for missions to the Moon and Mars.

A new essay by computer science professor Cal Newport argues it is time for formal investigation of the major AI laboratories, questioning their safety claims and rapid development practices. The piece is drawing wide attention among technology readers, with many debating whether companies like OpenAI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind should face greater public or regulatory scrutiny.

Nissan has detailed the third generation of its e-POWER powertrain, the series-hybrid system in which a petrol engine generates electricity to drive the wheels via an electric motor. The company published an overview of the new technology on its global innovation page, drawing attention from tech readers. Discussion centres on what efficiency, refinement and cost improvements the next iteration could bring to Nissan's electrified lineup.

Commentators are arguing that artificial intelligence developers should draw on decades of nuclear weapons safety practice as they work to manage powerful new technology. The piece draws parallels between how the nuclear field built safeguards, protocols and international controls, and the governance challenges now facing AI companies as their systems grow more capable and potentially risky.

A new commentary argues that AI companies should draw on the history of nuclear weapons when building safeguards for powerful artificial intelligence. The piece suggests lessons from decades of arms control, safety protocols and international oversight could help the AI industry avoid catastrophic mistakes as its technology grows more capable.

The US Energy Information Administration's educational timeline of photovoltaic technology history is drawing attention, tracing solar power development from early discoveries to modern panels. Readers are discussing how far photovoltaic energy has come and its role in the current energy transition, with interest in the historical milestones behind today's solar boom.

China is rapidly becoming a superpower in health technology, with major advances in AI-driven healthcare, biotechnology and drug development. Observers argue the scale and speed of this rise carries global significance, shaping competition in pharmaceuticals, medical AI and healthcare innovation, and prompting debate over how Western countries and the rest of the world should respond to China's growing influence in the sector.

A discussion on Hacker News asks how the 'AI endgame' will play out, drawing users into debate over where rapid AI progress is ultimately heading — whether toward powerful general systems, industry consolidation, regulation, or stagnation. Commenters weigh timelines, competitive dynamics among major labs, and what outcomes might mean for society and the economy.

The US government's revamped America.gov is now live as an AI-powered site, reportedly built by former DOGE staff and running on Elon Musk's Grok chatbot. The project ties the federal government's public-facing presence directly to Musk's xAI technology and to aides from the cost-cutting initiative, drawing attention to the growing role of AI and political loyalists in government communications.

Alibaba is reportedly in early-stage discussions to build a solar-powered data center in Spain. The project would tie the Chinese e-commerce giant's expanding cloud infrastructure to renewable energy, though no site, scale or timeline has been confirmed. The talks come amid surging demand for computing capacity driven by artificial intelligence, which has pushed major technology companies to seek clean energy sources for new facilities across Europe.

US senators say a vote on the Trump administration's nuclear power agreement with Saudi Arabia will likely come only after the midterm elections. The 123 agreement would open the door to American nuclear technology and cooperation with Riyadh, and its timing and conditions remain closely watched in Congress as lawmakers weigh proliferation and oversight concerns.

ChatGPT has gained a new capability that lets shoppers see virtual previews of themselves wearing clothes before making a purchase. The feature uses AI image generation to try garments on users digitally, pointing to a push into shopping and e-commerce applications. The news is circulating among technology and consumer gadgets outlets.

Working Against Violence, Inc. held its annual Power of Peace event in Rapid City, South Dakota, focusing this year on how technology is changing domestic violence, both as a tool for abuse and as a means of support and prevention. Attendees heard discussion of the evolving digital dimension of abuse and how advocacy services are adapting.

Ultralife Corporation has introduced a new line of hybrid lithium cells designed for high-power applications in harsh environments. The cells combine lithium chemistries to deliver strong performance under demanding conditions such as extreme temperatures and heavy loads. The announcement, reported by Military Aerospace, targets defence, aerospace and industrial users needing reliable power in tough settings.

Cowboy Space is pursuing an ambitious mission combining solar power, satellites and laser technology, described as a moonshot for the energy and space sectors. Coverage highlights the company's aim to advance space-based solar concepts, though few concrete details about its technology, funding or timeline have been released so far.

An Italian startup has presented a prototype of a double-layer photovoltaic system aimed at installations where roof or ground space is limited. The design stacks two PV layers to generate more power from a constrained area. The announcement was reported by pv magazine Global, and details on the technology, efficiency gains and commercialization timeline have not yet been made public.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, a technology that generates power from temperature differences between warm surface water and cold deep seawater, reportedly works as intended. The main challenge now lies in moving the enormous volumes of seawater required, which drives costs and engineering complexity. Observers in the clean energy community are weighing whether improved pumping and pipe designs could make OTEC commercially viable.

Commentary in The National Interest asks whether technology is redefining national sovereignty. The piece argues that digital power — from data and infrastructure to cyber capabilities — is challenging the traditional idea that states hold supreme authority within their borders. It is prompting debate about how governments should adapt to technological dependence on private companies and rival powers.

Germany is pushing a policy that would let electric vehicles feed power back to the grid and earn money for their owners while parked. The idea, known as vehicle-to-grid, would turn the country's growing EV fleet into a distributed battery network that helps balance electricity supply. Coverage of the proposal is drawing interest from drivers and energy analysts weighing its practicality.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation intended to advance the development of nuclear fusion technology in the state. The bill aims to support research and bring fusion energy closer to commercial use, positioning California as a player in the emerging clean energy field. Details of the measure's specific provisions and funding have not yet been widely reported.

US retailers including QVC and Kohl's are taking divergent positions on agentic shopping, the use of AI agents that browse and purchase on behalf of consumers. The Wall Street Journal reports the retail industry is divided over whether to embrace these AI-powered shopping assistants or resist them, reflecting uncertainty over how the technology will reshape e-commerce and customer relationships.

Tokyo Electric Power Company has started inserting a robotic arm into the damaged Fukushima Daiichi reactor to retrieve melted nuclear fuel debris, a key step in the plant's decades-long decommissioning. The operation, repeatedly delayed, is being closely watched as a test of whether remote technology can handle material too radioactive for workers to approach.

The Nation publishes a feature arguing that workers must organise to reclaim bargaining power as artificial intelligence reshapes workplaces. The piece frames AI adoption as a question of labour rights rather than pure technology, calling for collective action to ensure productivity gains benefit employees, not only employers and tech firms.

Groups promoting Single Pair Ethernet technology have merged to form a new association, according to industry press. Single Pair Ethernet allows data and power delivery over a single twisted pair of wires, making it important for automotive, industrial automation and building applications. The consolidation is expected to unify standardization efforts and give the technology a stronger industry voice.

Policymakers and commentators are arguing that responsible AI cannot be addressed at the algorithm level alone: it starts with how data centres are powered and governed. The argument links digital sovereignty and sustainability into a single agenda, contending that Europe's ability to control its AI future depends on where and how its computing infrastructure is built and run.