AI and Energy Infrastructure, Explained Plainly, The Physical Layer

The Physical Layer

AI and Energy Infrastructure, Explained Plainly

A journal on the physical constraints behind the AI buildout: power, grid connection, data centres, cooling and the supply chains that gate them. Written to be understood by anyone.

Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) / Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) (2330 TT)

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing)

<ul><li>Almost every advanced AI chip, whoever designs it, is made by one company, TSMC, mostly in Taiwan.</li><li>Its chief executive says those factories, not electricity, are what limits AI today, and the company's own numbers show why: a new chip factory takes years to build and more years to fill.</li><li>That is a fair point, and it changes how long I think the chip side of the shortage lasts.</li></ul>

Almost every advanced AI chip, whoever designs it, is made by one company, TSMC, mostly in Taiwan.Its chief executive says those factories, not electricity, are what limits AI today, and the company's own numbers show why: a new chip factory takes years to build and more years to fill.That is a fair point, and it changes how long I think the chip side of the shortage lasts.

TSMC's chief says the AI bottleneck is its factories, not the power grid

Tracking developments across tech supply chains, Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tracking developments across tech supply chains

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>Nokia is set to enhance its base stations by integrating Nvidia GPUs, aiming to advance AI-driven radio access networks and support 6G technology development.</li><li>Arm, AMD, and Nvidia have joined the Open Compute Project board, while AWS's absence raises questions about its future involvement in open-source hardware initiatives.</li><li>The Semiconductor Industry Association director points to a 'semiconductor paradox' that suggests a significant chip boom is on the horizon despite current market challenges.</li></ul>

Nokia is set to enhance its base stations by integrating Nvidia GPUs, aiming to advance AI-driven radio access networks and support 6G technology development.Arm, AMD, and Nvidia have joined the Open Compute Project board, while AWS's absence raises questions about its future involvement in open-source hardware initiatives.The Semiconductor Industry Association director points to a 'semiconductor paradox' that suggests a significant chip boom is on the horizon despite current market challenges.

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (31-Oct-2025): Nokia to integrate Nvidia GPUs for AI and 6G.

Chief Economist, Aletheia Capital

Dr. Jim Walker

Chief Economist

Independent and original Asian investment research

Aletheia Capital

Aletheia Capital (HK) Ltd. (previously known as Asianomics) combines the extensive knowledge of its experienced team with technology and regulatory changes to disrupt Global Markets business in Asia. The firm is completely independent with no conflicts of interest either on Investment Banking advisory or Capital Markets execution.

Macroeconomics

<ul><li>Of the 12 regional economies tracked, only 4 are above the 50 PMI boom-bust line: India (59) continues to lead. Vietnam, Philippines, and Thailand also remain in expansion territory.</li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc;" aria-level="1">Indonesia reported 5.1% growth—no surprise. It’s the same figure (rounded) they’ve reported nearly every quarter over the past decade, barring COVID. It raises credibility questions.</li><li>Tariff announcements expected this week remain vague, especially concerning China.</li></ul>

Of the 12 regional economies tracked, only 4 are above the 50 PMI boom-bust line: India (59) continues to lead. Vietnam, Philippines, and Thailand also remain in expansion territory.Indonesia reported 5.1% growth—no surprise. It’s the same figure (rounded) they’ve reported nearly every quarter over the past decade, barring COVID. It raises credibility questions.Tariff announcements expected this week remain vague, especially concerning China.

Walker’s Weekly: Dr. Jim's Summary of Key Global Macro Developments - 8 August 2025

External broker reports(aggregated public sources), CMB International

CMB International

External broker reports(aggregated public sources)

Incorporated in Hong Kong, supported by the mainland and targeting in global market, CMB International Capital Corporation Limited (“CMBI”) is an integrated financial institution providing comprehensive and professional services. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Merchants Bank ("CMB"), by leveraging on the Group’s synergy and coordination in domestic and overseas markets, as well as CMB’s strong resources and outstanding social reputation, CMBI and its subsidiaries have been actively implementing diversified business strategies and set up an overall layout of main business segments including Corporate Finance, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Global Markets and Structured Finance, etc. Adhering to the philosophy of “being clients oriented and increasing our own values by the way of creating value for clients”, CMBI endeavors to provide quality and integrated financial services to institutional, corporate and individual customers both domestic and overseas including Hong Kong IPO sponsorship and underwriting, share placement and rights issue for listed companies, financial advisors, bonds issuance services, asset management, direct investment, wealth management, equity sales and trading, etc.

<ul><li>Nvidia released FY3Q24 results with quarterly revenue at US$18.1bn, up 34% QoQ and 206% YoY. GPM was 74.0%, up 3.9ppts QoQ.</li><li>Net profit was US$9.2bn, up 50% QoQ and 1,274% YoY.</li><li>According to the company’s guidance, 4Q24 revenue is expected to reach US$20bn (+/-2%), implying 10% QoQ and 231% YoY growth; GAAP GPM is expected to increase to 74.5% (+/- 50bps). </li></ul>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

Nvidia released FY3Q24 results with quarterly revenue at US$18.1bn, up 34% QoQ and 206% YoY. GPM was 74.0%, up 3.9ppts QoQ.Net profit was US$9.2bn, up 50% QoQ and 1,274% YoY.According to the company’s guidance, 4Q24 revenue is expected to reach US$20bn (+/-2%), implying 10% QoQ and 231% YoY growth; GAAP GPM is expected to increase to 74.5% (+/- 50bps). Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

<ul><li>NVIDIA reported another strong beat against elevated expectations, along with a strong outlook (guided 4Q revenue of US$20bn, vs consensus US$17.9bn), alleviating concerns on supply constraints and impact on China sales. Key highlights include: 1) FY4Q24E guidance beat on stronger topline/margin with strong AI demand and robust product pipeline into 2024</li><li>2) China’s sales to drop significantly in 4Q23, largely offset by strong growth in other regions, and new regulation-compliant solutions will be available for China (20-25% of DC sales) in the next few months</li><li>3) mgmt. guided continued chip capacity expansion to meet growth, and expected data center revenue to grow through 2025</li></ul>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

NVIDIA reported another strong beat against elevated expectations, along with a strong outlook (guided 4Q revenue of US$20bn, vs consensus US$17.9bn), alleviating concerns on supply constraints and impact on China sales. Key highlights include: 1) FY4Q24E guidance beat on stronger topline/margin with strong AI demand and robust product pipeline into 20242) China’s sales to drop significantly in 4Q23, largely offset by strong growth in other regions, and new regulation-compliant solutions will be available for China (20-25% of DC sales) in the next few months3) mgmt. guided continued chip capacity expansion to meet growth, and expected data center revenue to grow through 2025Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

China Technology – NVIDIA FY3Q24: Another Stunning Quarter on Robust AI Demand

South Korea

SK Hynix Inc. provides products and services for the electronic components industry. The Company manufactures semiconductors, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), NAND flash memory, and static random access memory (SRAM) chips.

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SK Hynix (000660 KS)

TSMC's chief says the AI bottleneck is its factories, not the power grid

Almost every advanced AI chip, whoever designs it, is made by one company, TSMC, mostly in Taiwan. Its chief executive says those factories, not...

The Physical Layer

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (31-Oct-2025): Nokia to integrate Nvidia GPUs for AI and 6G.

Nokia will use Nvidia GPUs for AI-driven networks, while Arm, AMD, and Nvidia join the OCP board; a chip boom looms, and Meta eyes AI glasses...

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Walker’s Weekly: Dr. Jim's Summary of Key Global Macro Developments - 8 August 2025

Of the 12 regional economies tracked, only 4 are above the 50 PMI boom-bust line: India (59) continues to lead. Vietnam, Philippines, and...

Dr. Jim Walker

Technology (Hardware/Semi) - 23 Nov 2023

Nvidia released FY3Q24 results with quarterly revenue at US$18.1bn, up 34% QoQ and 206% YoY. GPM was 74.0%, up 3.9ppts QoQ. Net profit was...

CMB International

China Technology – NVIDIA FY3Q24: Another Stunning Quarter on Robust AI Demand

NVIDIA reported another strong beat against elevated expectations, along with a strong outlook (guided 4Q revenue of US$20bn, vs consensus US$17.9bn)

CMB International

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