This week's coverage highlights shifting technology supply chains and rising demand across foldable smartphones, memory, energy storage, robotics, and AI infrastructure. Apple lifted its iPhone Duo shipment target after strong preorders, while memory makers faced conflicting forecasts over Chinese capacity and sustained AI demand. Taiwan advanced industrial microgrids and saw its first semiconductor strike, as Texas Instruments reported tightening analog supply. Chinese energy storage suppliers reportedly retreated from the US amid reciprocal technology and ownership restrictions.

Japan plans to provide about JPY100 billion (US$634.1 million) over four years to support mass production of next-generation perovskite solar cells, seeking to establish a domestic manufacturing base before China further widens its lead in the emerging technology, according to Nikkei Asia.

AI server power architectures are evolving toward high-voltage distribution and point-of-load voltage conversion, according to DIGITIMES Intelligence.

Mitsubishi Electric has announced plans to carve out its distribution panel components business for factories and commercial buildings into a joint venture (JV) with Swiss power and automation giant ABB. Mitsubishi Electric will spin off the division and transfer a 51% stake to ABB. Moving forward, the Japanese conglomerate will focus on data center infrastructure and high-voltage grid applications positioned further upstream in power transmission and distribution.

Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) held an inauguration ceremony for its 9MW/54MWh large-scale microgrid system at its Shuinan facility in Taichung on October 22, marking the official commissioning of what the company describes as Taiwan's largest industrial behind-the-meter energy storage microgrid.

CATL's third-quarter revenue rose 58.58% year-over-year to CNY165.22 billion (approx. US$24.73 billion), but net profit attributable to shareholders increased just 14.54% to CNY21.25 billion. For the first nine months of 2026, revenue reached CNY442.14 billion, up 56.19%, while net profit rose 31.6% to CNY64.53 billion, according to its filing on Cninfo.

Apple announced new and expanded US supplier partnerships on October 20, 2026, including plans to commit up to US$100 million to titanium producer Perryman Company over three years and broaden its camera-technology partnership with Qnity Electronics.

As renewable energy penetration continues to increase, energy storage systems have become essential to maintaining grid stability and supporting corporate energy transitions. However, Taiwan still lacks effective mechanisms to quantify the risk mitigation and protective value of energy storage, making it difficult for businesses to fully recognize its importance.

Taiwan's leading business groups have urged the government to provide financial support for state-run energy utilities and accelerate the restart of nuclear power plants, as surging global fuel prices drove Taipower's natural gas costs more than NT$70 billion (US$2.15 billion) above prewar levels by the end of August 2026.

As geopolitical tensions reshape global supply chains, US regulations governing energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS) are undergoing rapid and unpredictable changes.

The world's three largest memory manufacturers—Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron Technology—along with Taiwan-based Nanya Technology, Winbond Electronics, and Macronix International, face significant obstacles in their transition to renewable energy.