The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reported a 270% surge in large load interconnection requests in 2025, expanding the queue to approximately 226 gigawatts, according to a presentation to its Board of Directors cited by author Edwin Ziheng Wang. Data centers dominate, comprising 72.9% of the 225.816 gigawatts tracked, followed by digital asset mining at 8.8% and combined facilities at 1.2%. Large load demand targeting interconnection by 2030 rose by 142 gigawatts this year alone, with many sites exceeding 1 gigawatt. On the supply side, the generation queue holds 1,999 active requests totaling 432 gigawatts, led by solar at 158 gigawatts and battery storage at 176 gigawatts. ERCOT has intensified transmission planning, endorsing $3.67 billion in projects by October. Officials emphasize that transmission infrastructure and resource adequacy will pace this expansion, enabling persistent growth in energy-intensive industries and reinforcing grid reliability for future demand.
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Archaeologists have uncovered the world’s oldest direct evidence of intentional fire-making at the Barnham site in Suffolk, England, dating back 400,000 years to early Neanderthals. Heat-reddened clay, fire-cracked flint handaxes, and rare pyrite fragments indicate repeated hearths where hominins struck sparks using flint and pyrite, a mineral sourced from afar. This breakthrough shifted fire use from opportunistic to a reliably controlled resource, enabling cooked food, tool-making, and extended social time. “The campfire becomes a social hub,” said archaeologist Rob Davis in Ars Technica. “Having fire… provides this kind of intense socialization time after dusk.” The discovery highlights Neanderthals’ ingenuity, fostering complex bonds that advanced human capabilities. Future excavations may reveal even earlier origins, illuminating our shared path toward mastery over the elements.
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PNC Bank, one of America’s largest financial institutions, has launched spot bitcoin trading directly within standard client accounts, marking a pioneering integration of digital assets into mainstream banking. Powered by Coinbase, the service debuts for PNC Private Bank’s high-net-worth clients, individuals, families, family offices, and business owners, allowing seamless buying, selling, and holding of bitcoin without external exchanges. This phased rollout, building on a 2021 partnership announced in July 2025, prioritizes controlled access and compliance, with plans to extend to nonprofits and institutional investors. The move works to empower traditional banking clients with familiar tools for emerging opportunities. PNC CEO William Demchak emphasized offering “secure and well-designed options that fit within the broader context of their financial lives.” Coinbase co-CEO Brett Tejpaul hailed the “thoughtful, disciplined approach” to expanding access safely. As peers like Bank of America and JPMorgan explore bitcoin ETFs, PNC’s direct trading signals incoming broader adoption, and an emphasis on direct asset control.
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The Walt Disney Company has announced a $1 billion investment in OpenAI alongside a three-year licensing deal granting users of the Sora AI video generator access to over 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars franchises. Covered by Benj Edwards for Ars Technica, the agreement enables creation of short clips featuring icons like Mickey Mouse, Darth Vader, and Simba, marking Hollywood’s first major content partnership for Sora since its September launch amid industry backlash. “Technological innovation has continually shaped the evolution of entertainment,” Disney CEO Robert A. Iger stated, emphasizing responsible AI integration to extend storytelling while safeguarding creators. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hailed it as a “model for collaboration” between AI firms and studios, nurturing innovation that amplifies creativity for global audiences. This reversal from Disney’s prior opt-out stance underscores a pragmatic pivot toward licensed AI tools, empowering employees via ChatGPT and curating fan videos on Disney+ by 2026.
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