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Sep 7, 07:38
AI racks move toward MW scale as power, cooling converge
As AI computing power surges, the energy consumption of AI servers has become a major bottleneck that must be solved. The issue is spreading from chips into power delivery systems as Nvidia's AI racks ramp up, rapidly pushing up the power draw of a single AI rack.
Fusion energy, often referred to as an artificial sun, has become a central focus of global sustainable energy development in recent years. However, despite nearly 70 years of worldwide R&D, commercial fusion power remains unrealized. This is primarily due to several critical technical hurdles, including heating plasma to over 100 million°C and maintaining stable long-term operation, developing materials resistant to high-energy neutrons, tritium breeding, and ensuring overall system reliability. These challenges underscore that fusion power relies not on a single breakthrough, but on a highly integrated system engineering effort.
Reports that Samsung SDI's procurement team recently visited the Chinese production facilities of battery material maker Tinci Materials have drawn significant attention within China's industry. As Samsung SDI prepares to initiate mass production of all-solid-state batteries in the second half of 2027, its supply chain strategy and upcoming moves are rapidly becoming a major focal point in the Chinese market.
AUO Group's AET Corporation (AET), formed in September 2025 through the merger of AUO Envirotech and AUO Digitech, is expanding across the semiconductor supply chain and has reportedly entered the ecosystem of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). After the merger, AET's core operations turned profitable in 2025, and the company is targeting a full-year profit in 2026.
Macronix (MXIC) said in its latest sustainability report for 2025 that greenhouse gas emissions fell 19.8% from 2024 and 32% from the business-as-usual (BAU) baseline, beating its original 20% reduction target. The memory chip maker also said it invested about NT$780 million (approx. US$24.66 million) in environmental, safety, and health initiatives in 2025.
As artificial intelligence demand drives astronomical growth in advanced chip manufacturing, the semiconductor industry is hitting critical resource bottlenecks. Speaking at SEMICON Taiwan 2026, leaders from Ecolab and Edwards Vacuum warned on September 2 that continuing with current water and energy practices is unsustainable.
The US is rapidly reshaping the cost structure of its solar supply chain under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. According to a recent webinar hosted by Intertek CEA, the US-based solar advisory arm of British multinational group Intertek, new minimum import prices (MIP) and tariffs are driving up the cost of imported modules, paving the way for domestic manufacturers to achieve market dominance by 2027.
Taiwan's carbon fee has been formally included in the UK government's list of Qualifying Carbon Pricing Schemes (QCPS) under its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), alongside major carbon pricing systems in the EU, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. The Ministry of Environment said the move shows Taiwan's carbon pricing framework is now aligned with international systems and will help export industries respond to global carbon border measures while maintaining competitiveness.
Foxlink and Yongwei Investment Holdings each held board meetings on the 31st and decided to participate in the tender offer for Shinfox Energy, planning to dispose of their Shinfox shares at NT$0.05 per share. The move would strip the Foxlink Group of control over Shinfox and reduce the financial drag from the renewable energy company's losses.
LG Energy Solution has signed a long-term supply agreement with Smackover Lithium for battery-grade lithium carbonate, a move that could strengthen supply chains for energy storage systems and electric vehicles at a time when global demand for critical minerals remains tight.
Buima swung back to profitability in the second quarter of 2026 as a recovery in its battery module shipments and gains from asset disposal lifted results. The company said demand tied to low Earth orbit satellites, wearable devices, and other applications helped improve profitability, while margin measures and earnings per share reached quarterly records.
LG Display (LGD) has introduced a new "PFAS-free" component verification process for suppliers as it prepares for expected European Union (EU) restrictions on PFAS, aiming to eliminate the so-called "forever chemicals" across all products by 2035.