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Permit for xAI’s data center blatantly violates Clean Air Act, NAACP says

xAI continues to face backlash over its Memphis data center, as the NAACP joined groups today appealing the issuance of a recently granted permit that the groups say will allow xAI to introduce major new sources of pollutants without warning at any time. The battle over the gas turbines powering xAI's data center began last April when thermal imaging seemed to show that the firm was lying about dozens of seemingly operational turbines that could be a major source of smog-causing pollution. By J

I powered my smartphone off-grid with this portable wind generator. Here's how

ZDNET's key takeaways The Shine Turbine kit is on sale for $279, while the Essentials Kit is on sale for $342. The kit includes everything you need to turn wind into electrical energy, and the turbine features a 12,000 mAh battery. There are limitations, which include the weight of the kit and the 40W of power it taps out at. View now at Shineturbine The Shine Turbine is on sale for $280, a $120 savings off its normal $400 price. You can also get the Shine Essentials kit on sale for $342. I

Underwater turbine spinning for 6 years off Scotland's coast is a breakthrough

Submerged in about 40 meters (44 yards) of water off Scotland’s coast, a turbine has been spinning for more than six years to harness the power of ocean tides for electricity — a durability mark that demonstrates the technology’s commercial viability. Keeping a large, or grid-scale, turbine in place in the harsh sea environment that long is a record that helps pave the way for bigger tidal energy farms and makes it far more appealing to investors, according to the trade association Ocean Energy

I replaced my solar panels with wind power generators at home - here's my verdict after 6 months

ZDNET's key takeaways A Shine Turbine kit, which includes a turbine, stand, guy lines, and pegs, costs $399, while the Essentials Kit, which adds a few more bits such as a wind speed meter, costs $488 -- though both are on sale right now The kit includes everything you need to turn wind into electrical energy, and the turbine features a 12,000 mAh battery There are limitations, which include the weight of the kit and the limited power it generates, 40 Watts. View now at Shineturbine The Shine

I ditched my solar panels with wind power generators at home - my verdict after 6 months

ZDNET's key takeaways A Shine Turbine kit, which includes a turbine, stand, guy lines, and pegs, costs $399, while the Essentials Kit, which adds a few more bits such as a wind speed meter, costs $488 -- though both are on sale right now The kit includes everything you need to turn wind into electrical energy, and the turbine features a 12,000 mAh battery There are limitations, which include the weight of the kit and the limited power it generates, 40 Watts. View now at Shineturbine The Shine

xAI data center gets air permit to run 15 turbines, but imaging shows 24 on site

After months of backlash over alleged pollution concerns, xAI has finally secured an air permit covering some of the methane gas turbines powering its Colossus supercomputer data center in Memphis, Tennessee. On Wednesday, the Shelby County Health Department granted xAI an air permit that allows it to power 15 gas turbines while adhering to a range of restrictions designed to minimize emissions. Expiring on January 2, 2027, the permit requires xAI to install and operate the best available contr

Despite Protests, Elon Musk Secures Air Permit for xAI

A local health department in Memphis has granted Elon Musk’s xAI data center an air permit to continue operating the gas turbines that power the company’s Grok chatbot. The permit comes amid widespread community opposition and a looming lawsuit alleging the company violated the Clean Air Act. The Shelby County Health Department released its air permit for the xAI project Wednesday, after receiving hundreds of public comments. The news was first reported by the Daily Memphian. In June, the Memp

I replaced my solar panels with wind power generators at home - here are the results after 6 months

ZDNET's key takeaways A Shine Turbine kit, which includes a turbine, stand, guy lines, and pegs, costs $399, while the Essentials Kit, which adds a few more bits such as a wind speed meter, costs $488 -- though both are on sale right now The kit includes everything you need to turn wind into electrical energy, and the turbine features a 12,000 mAh battery There are limitations, which include the weight of the kit and the limited power it generates, 40 Watts. View now at Shineturbine The Shine

Are wind power generators actually viable at home? My buying advice after months of testing

ZDNET's key takeaways A Shine Turbine kit, which includes a turbine, stand, guy lines, and pegs, costs $399, while the Essentials Kit, which adds a few more bits such as a wind speed meter, costs $488 -- though both are on sale right now The kit includes everything you need to turn wind into electrical energy, and the turbine features a 12,000 mAh battery There are limitations, which include the weight of the kit and the limited power it generates, 40 Watts. View now at Shineturbine The Shine

xAI is facing a lawsuit for operating over 400 MW of gas turbines without permits

The Colossus data center operated by xAI outside of Memphis is facing a lawsuit for operating a fleet of natural gas turbines without permits. “Over the past year, xAI has installed and operated at least 35 combustion turbines and other sources of air pollution at the Colossus site without ever obtaining the necessary preconstruction or operating air permits,” the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) wrote in a letter to xAI. The legal group submitted the letter on behalf of the NAACP. It

Can wind power generators replace my home solar panels? My verdict after months of testing

ZDNET's key takeaways A Shine Turbine kit, which includes a turbine, stand, guy lines, and pegs, costs $399, while the Essentials Kit, which adds a few more bits such as a wind speed meter, costs $488 -- though both are on sale right now The kit includes everything you need to turn wind into electrical energy, and the turbine features a 12,000 mAh battery There are limitations, which include the weight of the kit and the limited power it generates, 40 Watts. View now at Shineturbine The Shine