PowerCommons - The Open Silicon Commons
Welcome to PowerCommons
PowerCommons is an ambitious initiative to create the world’s first fully open, verifiable, and sovereign computing infrastructure based on the OpenPower architecture. We’re reviving and modernizing proven processor designs to deliver transparent, auditable, and secure computing platforms that serve the public interest rather than corporate surveillance.
In an era where digital infrastructure determines economic and political power, PowerCommons represents a crucial step toward technological independence and democratic control over computing resources.
🎯 Our Mission
To democratize access to high-performance, secure, and transparent computing by creating fully open-source processor implementations and system architectures that can be verified, modified, and deployed by anyone, anywhere, without proprietary dependencies or hidden backdoors.
📊 Project Status Summary
| Component | Status | Funding | Progress | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adding VCU-118 board support to Microwatt SoC | 🟢 Completed | Self funded | ██████████ 100% | Q3 2025 |
| PowerPC Support in LiteX SoC Framework: A Microwatt Linux Implementation on VCU-118 | 🟢 Planning | Self funded | ░░░░░░░░░░ 0% | Q4 2025 |
| From OpenPower to PowerCommons: Resurrecting and Modernizing the A2O Core | 🟡 Planning | Requested | ░░░░░░░░░░ 0% | Q2 2026 |
| PowerCommons SoC Platform | 🔵 Not started | Requested | ░░░░░░░░░░ 0% | Q2 2027 |
🚀 Current Projects
PowerPC Support in LiteX SoC Framework: A Microwatt Linux Implementation on VCU-118
Added PowerPC support to the LiteX framework addressing boot and BIOS issues for PowerPC boot sequences and device tree generation conflicts to achieve full Linux boot on VCU-118 hardware.
Status: Active Development | Learn More →
From OpenPower to PowerCommons: Resurrecting and Modernizing the A2O Core
Breathing new life into IBM’s battle-tested A2O processor - the powerhouse behind Blue Gene/Q supercomputers - making it accessible on modern FPGA platforms.
Status: Active Development | Learn More →
PowerCommons SoC Platform
Creating the world’s first completely open System-on-Chip with verifiable security from boot to application, eliminating all proprietary components including the BMC.
Status: Architecture Phase | Learn More →
🚀 Completed Projects
Adding VCU-118 board support to Microwatt SoC
Expanded Microwatt SoC’s hardware compatibility by implementing full VCU-118 board support, including platform-specific LiteDRAM controller adaptation with custom pin configurations and clock settings. Status: Completed | Learn More →
🏛️ Why This Matters
Digital Sovereignty
Every major processor today contains hidden management engines, proprietary firmware, and unauditable code paths. PowerCommons changes this paradigm by ensuring every transistor’s behavior can be inspected and verified.
Post-Surveillance Computing
In alignment with post-capitalist visions of technology, PowerCommons creates computing infrastructure that serves communities rather than extracting value from them.
Technological Commons
Like public utilities and infrastructure, fundamental computing technology should be a commons - collectively owned, transparently operated, and democratically governed.
🤝 Join the Movement
For Developers
- 📦 Code Repository: codeberg.org/PowerCommons
- 🔧 Get Started: Coming soon!
- 💬 Matrix Chat: coming soon!
For Organizations
- 🏛️ Government & Critical Infrastructure: Deploy verifiable, sovereign computing
- 🎓 Academic Institutions: Research and teach with fully transparent systems
- 🏢 Industry Partners: Build secure products on open foundations
For Citizens
- 📖 Learn: Understand why open hardware matters for democracy
- 🗣️ Advocate: Support policies promoting open infrastructure
- 💰 Support: Contribute to sustainable development
🌍 Ecosystem Partners
- OpenPower Foundation - Technical guidance and community
- The Commune - Digital sovereignty advocacy on Medium
- The Sovereign Workshop - Tutorials and how to articles on building the sovereign stack.
📰 Latest Updates
September 2025: NLnet Funding Proposals Submitted
Two comprehensive proposals totaling €100,000 submitted for A2O revival and SoC development…
August 2025: MicroWatt VCU118 Success
Successfully booted Linux on VCU118 platform without DRAM…
July 2025: Project Inception
PowerCommons initiative launched with support from OpenPower Foundation…
💼 Seeking Partners & Support
Investors & Sponsors
We’re actively seeking funding partners who understand the strategic importance of sovereign computing infrastructure. PowerCommons offers:
- Strategic Returns: Position at the forefront of European digital sovereignty
- ESG Impact: Direct contribution to democratic technology and climate-friendly computing
- Technical Innovation: Access to cutting-edge open hardware development
- Market Opportunity: Growing demand for trustworthy computing in critical sectors
Sponsorship Range: €100K - €5M | Contact: sponsors@powercommons.org
Policy Makers & Government
Help shape the future of European digital sovereignty. We seek dialogue with:
- EU Commissioners for Digital Economy and Digital Single Market
- National CTOs and digital transformation officers
- Parliamentary Committees on technology and sovereignty
- Municipal Leaders implementing smart city initiatives
We’re particularly interested in connecting with leaders like:
- Margrethe Vestager (EU Competition & Digital)
- Roberto Viola (DG CONNECT)
- Thomas Fricke (Sovereign Tech Fund)
- Francesca Bria (Italian Innovation Fund)
Policy Brief Comong Soon | Contact: policy@powercommons.org
Speaking & Educational Opportunities
Our team is available for:
- 🎤 Conference Keynotes: Digital sovereignty, open hardware, post-capitalist technology
- 🏛️ Policy Forums: Technical briefings for decision makers
- 🎓 University Lectures: Computer architecture, open source hardware, sovereign computing
- 🏢 Corporate Workshops: Building secure infrastructure with open hardware
Topics: Open Hardware | Digital Sovereignty | Processor Architecture | Democratic Technology
Book a Speaker: speaking@powercommons.org
Academic Collaboration
Universities and research institutions are invited to:
- Joint Research: Formal verification, security analysis, architecture optimization
- Curriculum Integration: Use PowerCommons in computer architecture courses
- Student Projects: Bachelor/Master/PhD thesis opportunities
- Infrastructure Access: Remote FPGA boards for research and teaching
Academic Partnerships: academic@powercommons.org
🤲 Support the Commons
PowerCommons is a public interest technology project. Your support enables:
- 👨💻 Sustained development of open processors
- 🔬 Security audits and formal verification
- 📚 Documentation and educational materials
- 🌱 Community growth and outreach
Donate via: NLnet
PowerCommons is a public interest technology initiative aligned with European digital sovereignty goals and the principles of the commons.