We have seen slide 18…Photonics for Compute.  https://poet-technologies.com/docs/presentations/Disruptive%20Photonics%20Technologies%20Presentation.pdf

But this is the first time I have come across this video explaining how it was achieved and the benefits over traditional memory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5kkYgnc_n8 

For those wondering about my middle of the night habits. I worked shift work for many years in control rooms at generation stations, transformer stations, throughout Ontario. Until the advent of Computer Assisted Supervisory Control systems which over time amalgamated the Control Operations into larger and larger facilities with fewer and fewer people. So I spent my early years studying the operation of the bulk power equipment and protection and control systems employed right down to all ancillary systems under my control.

Night shift is when I did all my research and that behavior continued as I progressed through the chain of command. Off shift assignments however became more frequent and they were self generated when needs were recognized. Roles from power system restoration co-ordinator where I was required to hold system restoration exercises with both internal and external entities. I was doing one such exercise with a task Ontario Emergency Preparedness people at our backup control center when 9-11 occured. We maintained redundancy in case of loss of our main control center. Which is one of the most secure sites we have. Bomb hardened and bullet proof glass. Fully redundant power systems and communications. It was NUC grade. I was on my own at the backup control center and requested to prepare to operate out of that facility with no assistance…no pressure.

I was also responsible for the blackout followup for Ontario.  Upgrades to our area view to increase our situational awareness into  neighboring facilities outside of Ontario. Upgrades to our communications. During the 2003 blackout our control room was overwhelmed with incoming calls. Not a good setup when Nuclear units are seeking guidance whether to go into safe shutdown mode which makes them unavailable for at least 36 hours from xenon poisoning or try to save the unit in poison prevent mode. Boil the lake. Reduce reactive power as low as possible (40%) and transfer the remaining power into the Great Lakes through condenser steam valves.

Anyway I had more than enough to keep me busy. But my last off shift assignment was to quantify how the modeling of Ontario’s Primary Demand could be improved by expanding the variables that drive that demand right across Ontario. By providing a more accurate approach to load forecasting for each area of Ontario the benefits to both the economies of operation, security of supply expanding into system limits for each interface the value is immense. We used to calculate the cost benefits to spin fossil steam units overnight or shut it down and restart the next day. The accuracy of a day ahead forecast was paramount to make that calculation. Some would go too far and totally screw the day shift when units were shut down too late and could not make the turn around time to come back for the morning load pick up. That condition is deadly and more than an embarrassment. 

Enjoy the weekend. Thought people might want to know why they see posts in the middle of the night. Please excuse the rambling.

If you have not listened to this podcast yet…you should. It is well worth it. I listen to it on spotify. https://joincolossus.com/episode/baker-ai-semiconductors-and-the-robotic-frontier/