Category Archives: Singularity

As Jon Kent reveals his usual responsibilities as Future State's Superman, the hero saves the world literally every single morning.

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman #2, by Dan Watters, Leila del Duca, Nick Filardi and Tom Napolitano, on sale now.

As the flagship superhero of the DC Universe, there's a lot of responsibility that comes with being Superman. Beyond being the guardian of Metropolis, the Man of Steel is a presence on Earth who not only defends the planet but inspires those he protects through his superheroism and shining example. And for Jon Kent, Clark Kent and Lois Lane's son and the new Man of Tomorrow in the alternate timeline of Future State, that's a tall order to live up to.

As Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman #2 reveals, Jon Kent saves a world every morning before his day truly begins, as his constant vigilance is the only thing keeping one planet within the DCU remainson the brink oftotal annihilation, saved only by the constant vigilance of the Man of Steel.

Throughout Jon and Yara Flor's Future State adventure, the villainous living sun Solaris menaced the entire planet and nearly killed Superman, and the new Wonder Woman noticed that Jon was running himself ragged. Even before Solaris' arrival, Jon appeared stressed out and overworked, struggling to live up to his father's legacy as the original Superman. And with Jon emerging triumphant from a contest of champions between himself, Solaris and the Brazilian sun god Kuat, the Man of Steel quietly revealed to Yara one crucial aspect of his morning routine that he has kept from the general public: The Fortress of Solitude houses a portal directly to a small singularity that threatens to consumea planet in another dimension on a daily basis.

RELATED: Swamp Thing: Why the Justice League Dark Hero Needs a Human Host

In the event that he is bested in the high stakes showdown between Solaris and Kuat, Jon gives Yara a private tour of the Fortress. Superman reveals that during his time serving with the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st century, hediscovered a planet named Tsercalon that was constantly being drawn into a massive black hole. With the help of Professor Ryan Choi, Superman developed a black hole gun capable of generating a pure, amplified form of atomic energy to feed the singularity with enough energy that it pushes out objects within its accretion disk, including Tsercalon. While the device is capable of saving Tsercalon from total annihilation, it's not enough to push the planet from the black hole's reach, necessitating Superman using the black hole gun every morning before 10 AM to save the faraway world.

RELATED: The Flash: DC's Future Could Be Saved by Barry Allen's... Costume?!

Having to constantly save an entire planet on top of his earthly responsibilities is clearly taking a toll on Superman, with Wonder Woman observing the Man of Steel never takes the day off with countless lives hanging in the balance thanks to his tireless efforts, but he is tired. And in the aftermath of Superman's challenge against Solaris and Kuat, Yara attempts to give Jon a break by saving Tsercalon one morning with the black hole gun herself, only for Jon to greet her with breakfast, unable to break free from old habits and responsibilities.

Superman is a character who does so much behind-the-scenes to keep the DCU safe on a regular basis that the universe owes him an unpayable debt. And while Jon has had his doubts if he was worthy enough to live up to his father's mantle as the new Superman, his constant saving of a faraway planet every morning alone is a prime example that Jonathan Kent is every inch as super as his famous father.

KEEP READING: Superman: Jon Kent Comes Face to Face With His Father's Legacy - Literally

When Was The Term 'Superhero' First Used in Comics?

Sam Stone is a 10th level pop culture guru living just outside of Washington, DC who knows an unreasonable amount about The Beatles. You can follow him on Twitter @samstoneshow and ask him about Nintendo, pop punk, and Star Trek.

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Superman: Future State Jonathan Kent Saves the World Before Breakfast Every Day - CBR - Comic Book Resources

Halo Wars 2, co-developed by 343 Industries and Creative Assembly and released in 2017, is a very decent RTS: A little too console-focused and strategically thin to really distinguish itself as a serious strategy game on PC, but that's not really what it's trying to be anyway.

"It's aimed less at the hardcore crowd that eagerly checks for announcements of a new Ashes of the Singularity expansion and more at the Halo shooter fans who'd like to see that universe from a perspective besides the sights of a rifle," we said in our 65% review. "And most of the time, it does its job."

It continued to improve as 343 rolled out updates over 2017 adding new content and crossplay support, but that ground to a halt by the end of the year, and in a 2019 response to a petition calling for resumed Halo Wars 2 support, 343 said that it just wasn't possible.

"The same team that is currently working on bringing MCC to PC and Halo: Reach to MCC (the 343 Publishing Team) is also the team that helped make Halo Wars 2 a reality," the studio explained. "With the large scope and immense amount of work surrounding MCC for PC, the resources that were previously focused on Halo Wars 2 have been pulled over to help support MCC and Halo: Reach development."

"This doesnt mean the team wont revisit Halo Wars 2 in the futurewell never say neverbut it does mean that these requests are things the team is unable to commit to for the foreseeable future."

But now The Master Chief Collection is completeHalo 4, the final piece of the puzzle, dropped on November 17and that has some fans asking if maybe now 343 will turn its attention back to Halo Wars 2. Sadly, the answer remains a firm "no."

"We always strive to be open, honest, and transparent with our community and we know many of you have been waiting, asking, and hoping for news about the future of Halo Wars 2," the studio wrote. "We want to acknowledge that weve heard you and make sure you know that this feedback and these topics do indeed get brought to the right folks across the studio for further evaluation."

"In the past, weve noted the Publishing Team was fully focused on MCC and we had no current plans to return to Halo Wars 2. Now, with all the titles on PC, weve seen these questions popping up again although the 343 Publishing Team is still working on more MCC seasonal content along with a variety of features and further improvements. Its not always easy to be open and transparentparticularly when we expect its not an answer the community wants to hearbut we want to give it to you straight: 343 Industries has no current plans for further Halo Wars 2 work including content updates, balance patches, bringing the title to other platforms, or a new game in the series."

343 preemptively acknowledged its use of the word "currently," which implicitly suggests that maybe someday it could happen. And it could, in the same that I could win a million dollars or be abducted by aliens: Anything is possible, but don't hold your breath.

"If you told me back in the day that the totality of MCC would land on Steam or Halo 3 would get content updates 14 years after launch, Id never have believed it and yet here we are," 343 wrote, echoing its "never say never" statement from 2019. "We know constantly waiting and wondering is equal parts frustrating and exhausting, so we hope this clarity helps alleviate some of that and we want to set clear expectations that there is no work happening on Halo Wars."

As for why it's not going back to that particular drawing board, it's simply a question of available time and resources: Most of the studio is focused on Halo Infinite, and "given the broader impact initiatives the studio is already committed to, we unfortunately cant devote the time and attention wed need to deliver additional updates and content for the Halo Wars franchise."

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343 Industries says a return to Halo Wars 2 isn't going to happen - PC Gamer

To outsiders, the nomad lifestyle consists simply of wandering around with no goal other than some immaterial form of self-discovery. But for Frances McDormands Fern in Nomadland it is a meditation in perpetual motion, considering her mortality as she stares down her own inevitable death. She has spent her life earning a living a statement which is in itself deeply ironic, but also melancholy as she comes to realise that the idea a living must be earned is nothing more than a notion prescribed upon her at birth. A damaging one too, as it has seen her waste years of her life propping up empty corporations.

She is only forced into this realisation after the global financial crisis of 2008 strips her of everything she has been working to earn, and it becomes clear that the promised stability of the American dream isnt all that stable. As she seeks out a life beyond the boundaries of civilisation she still encounters unexpected problems, but at least there is no boss or politician giving her false reassurances.

We gradually discover that Fern is a widow, having lost her husband years ago, and so as she faces the end of her life she does so with years of preparation. Venturing forth into uninhabited terrain is a practice run for journeying into the great unknown, separating oneself entirely from the comfort of civilisation so that the separation from life becomes easier to accept. In one scene she gets lost among rock formations, and in another, a wild, choppy ocean disturbs the notion that the natural world isnt always a kind, soothing place. She faces the temptation to settle back into a home and live off a pension, but the pull of the nomad life is too strong, as equally unavoidable as her own death.

Chloe Zhaos camera shares Ferns instinctual desire to keep moving, never settling in one place. In its restlessness, movement becomes something other than a necessity to reach a different location, but rather an opportunity to keep seeing, doing, and learning more. Zhaos tracking shots float around Fern in long takes, sometimes looking ahead, other times off to the side or behind. She often greets people on these journeys, nodding and sharing exchanges with fellow nomads. As one of her friends points out later, nomads never say any permanent goodbyes, but rather just See you down the road. Every relationship Fern has or ever has had, including her marriage, is unified by their fleetingness, and thus they all meld into one singularity. Change is the only constant in her life.

Zhaos magic hour photography delivers some of the most gorgeous images of the year, often capturing the sun just above mountainous horizons as it is setting. It acts as a visual reminder that this is a period of transition for Fern, facing the end of her life without fear or worry. By removing herself from the pressures of ordinary civilisation, she discovers a purer state of being that is more in touch with her mortality, her environment, and her friends. Most significantly though, she begins to recognise that to exist is to live in a state of constant flux. Pretending that corporate Americas arbitrary life instructions will guard against that is foolish. Temporality must be embraced, not shied away from.

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Movie Review: Nomadland - The Nerd Daily

To the editor:

When I read a letter like that written by Bruce Wessell in Wednesdays Voice of the Public (Impeachment is a big mistake for country, Feb. 11), I have to wonder what it is that so twists the thinking of some of us.

What is it that allows someone to see something happen right before their eyes and then interpret it as something completely different?

The current impeachment trial is anything but phony. The insurrection happened.

Donald Trump brought that crowd together, gave them their orders and then did nothing to stop the violence. Of course he needs to be held accountable. As for Democrats wanting to humiliate him, hes done a great job of that all by himself ... his ego is just so inflated that he doesnt have the sense to feel any shame.

The Dems are not fixated with Trump. They are fixated with our democracy. The damage that man has done cannot be shrugged off. He simply must be held accountable. Its not vengeance, its a constitutional duty.

The fact that 74 million Americans voted for him is not something to come to terms with, but it looks to me like Trump and Wessel have not yet come to terms with the other 81 million votes.

National unity, I believe, is being misconstrued. It is not a singularity of principles or political ideology that we aspire to but rather, an understanding that we are all Americans and that we must accept the ebb and flow of prevailing political thought as the price of democracy.

Stephen Welch

Attleboro

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Letter to the editor: Impeachment trial is exactly what is needed - The Sun Chronicle

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Feb. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stardock has released a major v3.0 update for its massive-scale RTS game, Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation. A completeoverhaul of the game's balance, nothing is left untouched - this includes units, buildings, orbital abilities, and more.

"Game balance is constantly a work in progress," said Brian Clair, the VP of Publishing for Stardock who worked extensively on the update. "This version is huge - our major focus was game balance and performance optimization."

Both the Post Human Coalition and the Substrate factions have had their units and buildings carefully balanced against each other. Rather than just adjusting hit points and unit cost, v3.0 focuses on giving each unit a unique role to play. The AI has also been updated significantly, which should provide players with new and exciting challenges when playing against a computer opponent.

v3.0 brings a new benchmark, performance optimizations, and major improvements to visual effects. New maps, campaign adjustments, and much more are also included in the massive update.

"GPUs and CPUs are constantly evolving," said Clair. "We wanted to make sure that the benchmark evolved with it. We removed redundant units and armies, revised to show more unit types, and updated camera views and positions for an overall better look."

The v3.0 update is now available. To learn more, visit the forums. Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation is 55% off through February 8thon Steam or Stardock. For more information, visit http://www.ashesgame.com.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/zV0fao1rRUs Screenshots: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Please contact [emailprotected]for all media inquiries.

About Stardock:Stardock is a developer and publisher of PC games and desktop software founded in 1991 by nationally recognized technology expert Brad Wardell. Located in Michigan, Stardock is a powerful leader in video gaming and software development. Its PC games include Sins of a Solar Empire, Offworld Trading Company, Galactic Civilizations and Ashes of the Singularity.

About Oxide Games: Oxide Games is an independent digital entertainment studio focused on delivering revolutionary leaps in PC and console gaming. Its groundbreaking Nitrous engine provides industry-leading visuals and powers its first game, Ashes of the Singularity. Oxide Games is based in Timonium, Maryland. Learn more at http://www.oxidegames.com.

SOURCE Stardock Entertainment

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Massive Update for Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation Released - PRNewswire

Bitcoins value reached an all-time high this week after Tesla announced it had bought $1.5 billion worth of the cryptocurrency. After its launch in early 2009, Bitcoin has gone through a lot of ups and downs. Some of its biggest price swings were in 2017 and 2018, when a steep rise followed by an 84 percent decline brought plenty of hype and headlines. After a quiet period, the last three months of 2020 saw yet another sharp rise as the currencys value more than tripledand its still climbing.

Not surprisingly, more and more investors are now jumping on what can still seem like a techy, trendy bandwagon. In an economy where governments are printing money hand over fist, people want a more secure place to put their assets. In addition to prevailing economic uncertainty, many institutional investors are dipping their toes into the cryptocurrency, and even PayPal began offering customers the ability to buy Bitcoin late last year. Elon Musks repeated endorsement of the cryptocurrency hasnt hurt, either. Some even believe digital currencies like Bitcoin are the future of money.

But intertwined with Bitcoins more speculative potential (as an asset or currency) is an important feature many investors may miss: its power to protect human rights and stand against tyranny.

In a new video for Reason magazine, Alex Gladstein, chief strategy officer at the Human Rights Foundation, explains why the cryptocurrency is an inalienable tool for preserving freedom, and how its being used by people in different parts of the world to do so.

Money makes the world go round, and as such, its a perfect tool for surveillance and control. The decline of cash in many societies and its replacement with digital payment methods means weve all but kissed financial privacy goodbye; all of our digital transactions are logged and kept on record for years.

In most democratic countries this doesnt tend to come with consequences much more intrusive than targeted ads. But for the more than four billion people living under authoritarian regimes, its a different story.

Their governments canand dofreeze peoples bank accounts, shut down ATMs, decide who gets cut off from financial services, and even seize private funds. Actions like these are often targeted at individuals labeled as problematic: activists, dissidents, union leaders, critics of the ruling party, intellectuals, and the like. Cutting off access to money is a quick-and-dirty way to immobilize people, not to mention wreak havoc when its done on a large scale.

If only there was a monetary system not controlled by a central bank, untouchable by governments, where value could be transmitted without corruption or interference and unaffected by international borders.

Enter Bitcoin.

Image Credit: Aleksi Ris on Unsplash

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Bitcoin's Blowing Up, and That's Great News for Human Rights. Here's Why - Singularity Hub

Real Time Strategy fans best warm up their lasers as Stardock has just released a major v3.0 update for Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation.

Ashes of the Singularity fans better warm up their gaming rigs because they are about to get a workout. Stardock, the team behind the benchmarking stalwart and massively successful RTS title, Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation, has just dropped update 3.0. The massive free update to the iconic real time strategy title brings a ton of changes, overhauls the game balance and even tweaks optimization for those of us that didnt manage to snag a new RTX 3080.

Beyond just moving the hit point sliders, the third major iteration of Escalation is designed to make every unit on the battlefield a unique role to play in the oncoming action. Stardock has taken an inordinate amount of time to ensure that every building block belonging to the PHC and the Substrate is carefully balanced against each other, so were hoping for a totally different feel to things when battle commences. Theres also a promise that the in game AI has a few more IQ points, making gameplay more exciting across two new maps. Desolation, a 4 player map perfect for 2v2 team matches, and Aetheon, an 8-player map that can play host to some wild free for all fights come bundled in version 3.0

Its likely some of you spend most of your time with Ashes of the Singularity during benchmarking videos. You are probably going to be seeing more of these now Stardock has added a bunch of new and improved graphics, as well an updated benchmark tool to make use of current hardware improvements.

Ashes of the Singularity: Escalations Verison 3.0 update looks like its going to breathe new life into this warfront. If youve not picked up this stellar RTS game in some time, its on heavy discount via the Steam Store and you can find out more about it over on the official Ashes of the Singularity changelog.

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Ashes Of The Singularity: Escalation Just Got A Massive Update With Version 3.0 - GameSpace.com

Unless youre in the lithium battery or paint business, youre probably not familiar with cobalt. Yet according to a new paper, it may be the secret sauce for an entirely new kind of computerone that combines quantum mechanics with the brains inner workings.

The result isnt just a computer with the ability to learn. The mechanisms that allow it to learn are directly embedded in its hardware structureno extra AI software required. The computer model also simulates how our brains process information, using the language of neuron activity and synapses, rather than the silicon-based churning CPUs in our current laptops.

The main trick relies on the quantum spin properties of cobalt atoms. When cleverly organized into networks, the result is a quantum brain that can process data and save it inside the same network structuresimilar to how our brains work. To sum up: its a path towards a true learning machine.

Thats great news for AI. Powerful as it is, machine learning algorithms are extremely energy-hungry. While the tech giants have massive data centers tailored to process computational needs, its inefficient and generates a huge carbon footprint. More troubling is when experts look ahead. Although computing prowess has doubled every year and half to two yearsknown colloquially as Moores lawrecent observations show that it may be on its last legs.

Translation? We desperately need alternate computing methods.

Our new idea of building a quantum brain based on the quantum properties of materials could be the basis for a future solution for applications in AI, said lead author Dr. Alexander Khajetoorians at Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

How can neuroscience, quantum mechanics, and AI mesh?

It starts with similarities between the brain and machine learning methods like deep learning. No surprise here, since the latter was loosely based on our minds. The problem comes when these algorithms are run on current computers. You see, even state-of-the-art computers process information and store them in separate structures. The CPU or GPU, by itself, cant store data. This means that data needs to be constantly shuttled between the processing and memory units. Its not a big deal for small things, like recognizing images, but for larger problems it rapidly slows the whole process down, while increasing energy use.

In other words, because AI mimics the brain, which has a completely alien structure to modern computers, theres a fundamental incompatibility. While AI algorithms can be optimized for current computers, theyre likely to hit a dead end when it comes to efficiency.

Enter neuromorphic computing. It asks you to forget everything you know about computer designchips, CPUs, memory hard drives. Instead, this type of new-age computer taps into the brains method for logging, processing, and storing informationall in one place. No data shuttling means less time and energy consumption, a win for AI and for the planet.

In rough strokes, the brains neural networks use several types of computing. One relies on the neuron, which determines based on input whether it should firethat is, pass on the data to its neighbor. Another method uses synapses, which fine-tunes the degree a neuron can transmit the data and store them at the same time, using states. Say you have a network of neurons, connected by synapses, that collectively store a chili recipe. You learned that adding bacon and beer makes it better. The synapses, while processing this new datawhat we call learningalso update their state to encode and store the new information.

The takeaway: in the brain, data processing, learning, and memory all occur at the same spot.

Still with me? Now for the third member of our mnage troiscobalt.

To tackle the problem of learning hardware, back in 2018 the team found that single cobalt atoms could potentially take over the role of neurons. At this atomic level, the mechanics of quantum physics also come into play, with some seriously intriguing results. For example, an atom can have multiple statescalled spinsimultaneously. At any time, an atom will have a probability to be in one state, and another probability for a different statea bit similar to whether a neuron decides to fire or not, or a synapse will pass on data or not. In quantum mechanics, this weird is the cat alive or dead state is dubbed superposition.

Another feature, quantum coupling, allows two atoms to functionally bind together so that the quantum spin state of one atom changes anothersimilar to neurons talking and bonding with each other.

The teams insight is that they could leverage these quantum properties to build a system similar to neurons and synapses in the brain. To do so, they fabricated a system that overlays multiple cobalt atoms on top of a superconducting surface made of black phosphorus.

They then tested whether they could induce firing and networking between the cobalt neurons. For example, is it possible to embed information in the atoms spin states? Can we make these atoms simulate a neuron firing?

The answer is a clear yes. Using tiny currents, the team fed the system simple binary data of 0s and 1s. Rather than encoding practical informationsuch as an image or soundthe data here represented different probabilities of atoms in the system encoding 0 or 1.

Next, the team zapped the network of atoms with a small voltage change, similar to the input our neurons receive. The tiny electrical zap generated behavior eerily similar to the brains mechanics. For example, it double-tapped the system, so that the quantum brain exhibited both processes analogous to neurons firing and changes in their synapses.

This is especially neat: other neuromorphic computing systemsthose based on the braingenerally focus on either an artificial neuron or artificial synapses. Many are built from rare materials requiring strict temperatures to function. Combining both inside a single material, cobalt, isnt just novel. Its efficient, more affordable, and easier.

Similar to neurobiology, the systems synapses also changed with time, based on the electrical input they experienced.

When stimulating the material over a longer period of time with a certain voltage, we were very surprised to see that the synapses actually changed, said Khajetoorians. The material adapted its reaction based on the external stimuli that it received. It learned by itself.

Not quite yet.

For now, the team will have to scale up their system, and demonstrate that it can process real-world information. Theyll also need to build a machine based on the entire setup, showing that it works not just in bits and pieces, but practically as a whole. And theres always competition from customized AI-tailored chips, now being optimized by many tech giants.

But the quantum brain is nothing to roll your eyes at. With one major component, the team was able to mimic key brain processesneuron firing, synapse processing, and learningat an atomic scale. With the rise of quantum computing, algorithms tailored to the machines spooky action at a distance could further increase the systems efficiency. Parallel processing, something our brains do very well but that stumps modern computers, has been scientists stretch goal for quantum computers since the 1990s.

For their next pursuit, the team plans to uncover more quantum materials with different properties that may be more efficient than cobalt. And theyd like to dig into why the quantum brain works as well as it does.

We are at a state where we can start to relate fundamental physics to concepts in biology, like memory and learning, said Khajetoorians. Yet, only when we understand how it worksand that is still a mysterywill we be able to tune its behavior and start developing it into a technology.

Despite the unknowns, the study opens up an exciting field at the nexus between neuroscience, quantum computing, and AI. It is a very exciting time, said Khajetoorians.

Image Credit:Raman OzafromPixabay

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This 'Quantum Brain' Would Mimic Our Own to Speed Up AI - Singularity Hub

Editors Note:This article containsaffiliate linksto GamersGate. Buying a game through these links supports Niche Gamer.

Stardock Entertainment have announced that update 3.0 is now live for massive-scale RTS game Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation.

Highlights from the update include game balance and adjustments to the PHC and Substrate, improved visual effects (along with a new benchmark), performance optimizations, and adjustments to the campaign. There are also two new maps; four player Desolation (ideal for 2v2 team matches), and the 8-player Aetheon.

You can find the full and lengthy changelog on the official forums here; featuring adjustments to many of the games units. You can find the 3.0 release trailer below.

You can find the full rundown (via GamersGate) below.

The human race has expanded into the galaxy thanks to the wonders of the technological singularity. You have become so powerful that you can manage vast armies across an entire world that provide you with an ever greater galactic empire.

Now, humanity is under assault by a new enemy. Calling themselves the Substrate, they seek to annihilate the human race from existence. You, as an up and coming member of the Post-Human Coalition, must deal with both this new menace as well as renegade humans trying to lay claim to their own worlds.

Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation takes everything that was in the award-winning hit strategy game, Ashes of the Singularity and expands on it in every way. Bigger worlds. More players. More units. More story. More everything.

Play as the Post Human Coalition or their eternal foes the Substrate and battle for control of the galaxy. Experience maps of unprecedented size and detail with the unparalleled power of the worlds first native 64-bit RTS engine, Nitrous.

Enjoy the game online with friends in ranked or unranked multiplayer mode or play it by yourself against a powerful non-cheating AI in skirmish or campaign mode. No matter what mode you play, strategy is the key: deciding what technologies to research, where to send your armies, how to manage your economy, and what units to construct are crucial to victory.

The new features of Escalation add to the base game and pave the way for even bigger battles, more diverse strategies, and exciting wars across unique worlds and complex maps. The conflict has escalated, and its time to choose a side.

Ashes of the Singularity: Escalationis available on Windows PC (via GamersGate, and Steam). In case you missed it, you can find our initial review from 2017 here (we highly recommend it!)

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Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation Update 3.0 Available Now - Niche Gamer

Wind is to the North Sea as sun is to the Sahara. And just as the latter is a tantalizing location to generate solar power, so the former is for making electricity from wind.

Of course, it comes with a special set of engineering challenges. You have to assemble, lift, and anchor (or float) giant wind turbines in the middle of a notoriously rough seathen you have to figure out how to transport electricity from these sea turbines to thousands of households back on land.

Its no easy task. But countries bordering the North Sea are pushing to more fully exploit their wind advantage. The UK claims the biggest offshore wind farm in the world and also leads the world in installations. Germany comes next, and Denmark and Belgium arent far behind. Still, offshore wind is yet a small, relatively expensive fraction of total wind power worldwide.

Denmark, an early leader in offshore wind, is hoping to help change that with a big new project. The countrys government has committed to building a $34 billion artificial island 50 miles off the coast of the Jutland peninsula. Once complete, the island will host a power plant to gather electricity from 200 towering offshore wind turbineseach of which will stand near the height of the Eiffel Tower, from the seas surface to blade tips.

Initially, the island will produce 3 gigawatts of electricity, but that could scale to as much as 10 gigawattsover 5 times Denmarks current offshore wind capacity and enough to provide electricity to 10 million households.

The project was announced and approved by the Danish government last summer. Its one of two energy islandsthe other, slated to produce 2 gigawatts, is an actual island called Bornholm in the Baltic Seathat the government hopes will help it reach a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

This week, the country officially announced selection of the Jutland location and ownership details of the public-private project. Initial studies also got the green light to begin mapping the seafloor, investigating drilling needs, and looking into the projects impact on wildlife.

The artificial island is scheduled to be completed by 2030. In this first phase, it will measure some 120,000 square meters (18 soccer pitches), but its expected to scale in stages as demand ramps up, perhaps reaching a size of 460,000 square meters (64 soccer pitches) and gathering electricity from some 600 turbines.

Beyond Denmark, the sea-based power station will supply electricity to several countries bordering the North Sea, likely including the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. The platform will also make room for grid-scale battery storage and even equipment to make carbon-free fuels, like hydrogen. It will be the countrys largest-ever construction project.

If both energy islands are completed as planned and reach full capacity, according to theFinancial Times, they would increase Europes current offshore wind by 54 percent.

Of course, as is always the case for ambitious infrastructure projects, timelines are malleable, and a lot can change over the course of a decade.

But recent trends suggest such projects will continue to be desirable.

The price of electricity from new onshore wind power plants fell 70 percent in the last decade. Offshore wind is still relatively more expensive, according to Our World in Datas Max Roser, but he suggests offshore cost declines may accelerate. Offshore winds are more consistent, installations can take advantage of bigger, more efficient wind turbines, and to a degree, learnings from onshore installations should transfer to offshore.

Already, there are signs offshore wind is beginning to support its own weight in the windiest places. In recent years, energy firms have begun signing offshore wind farm agreementsthey believe will be profitable at market rates without subsidies.

Ultimately, Denmarks energy islands will be one (albeit significant) project to harvest the North Seas abundant wind energy. According to the Danish government, the North Sea could generate 150 gigawatts of electricity by 2040enough to power 150 million households. So stay tunedthe race to more fully harness the sun and wind is just getting started.

Image Credit:Nicholas Doherty / Unsplash

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Artificial Island in the North Sea Will Harvest Wind Energy at a Huge Scale - Singularity Hub