October 23, 2025
Tech News
A new startup, Sizable Energy, is on a mission to revolutionize electricity storage by moving the concept of pumped-storage hydropower to the ocean. With $8 million in funding raised, the innovative design features flexible reservoirs that utilize super salty water, paving the way for a more efficient energy storage solution.
The concept involves two reservoirs connected by a tube, where, during low-energy periods, seawater is pumped to the top reservoir. When energy is needed, the salty water flows back down, spinning turbines to generate power. This method could significantly lower the cost of energy storage compared to traditional batteries, targeting €20 per kilowatt-hour.
In a separate development, a “massive legal siege” is set against major social media platforms such as Meta and Snap, with lawsuits accusing them of designing addictive features that harm youth mental health. After three years of preparation, a bellwether trial is slated for January, highlighting issues like anxiety and depression related to social media use.
The legal challenges are rooted in consolidated lawsuits alleging that social media companies misled users about the safety of their platforms. Thousands of personal injury claims are entangled in the legal proceedings, with significant attention drawn to internal documents revealing platform strategies aimed at youth addiction.
Amid these controversies, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) aims to cap SIM card ownership. The proposed guidelines would limit locals to two numbers per telecom provider and foreign nationals to a total of two prepaid numbers across all providers. This initiative seeks to curb fraudulent activities associated with excessive SIM card registrations.
The rationale behind MCMC’s proposal is to mitigate the misuse of prepaid SIM cards in criminal activities, particularly in relation to social media fraud and misinformation. Current guidelines allow individuals to register up to five SIM cards per telecom, presenting challenges in tracking malicious actors.
Tech Explained
Pumped-storage hydropower – This is a method used to store energy by moving water between two reservoirs at different elevations. When electricity demand is low, surplus energy is used to pump water to the upper reservoir. When demand rises, the stored water is released to generate electricity, acting like a battery on a large scale.
Turbine – A turbine is a mechanical device that converts fluid energy (from water, steam, or gas) into mechanical energy through rotation. In the context of Sizable’s technology, turbines will generate electricity from the flow of high-salinity water moving down to the lower reservoir.
Section 230 – This is a provision of the Communications Decency Act in the United States, which grants immunity to online platforms from liability for user-generated content. This law has been pivotal in past defenses by social media companies against lawsuits claiming harm from their services.
Prepaid SIM card – A prepaid SIM card allows users to pay for mobile services in advance. The proposed regulations by MCMC aim to limit the number of prepaid SIM cards individuals can own to prevent misuse, particularly in fraudulent activities and social media abuses.
Mass tort – This refers to a legal action involving numerous claimants against one or a few defendants, often occurring in cases where individuals have sustained similar harms. The ongoing lawsuits against social media companies represent a mass tort aiming for accountability akin to historical cases like those against tobacco companies.
