Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Gallaudet’s solar and battery storage system shows reliability of distributed energy resources

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Maureen Quinlan is a senior officer and Brian Watts is an officer on The Pew Charitable Trusts’ energy modernization project.

More than 150 years after its founding, the world’s first university for the deaf and hard of hearing is making a different kind of history.

Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., is reaping the benefits of one of the largest microgrids in the city, which school officials installed on the campus in 2023.

A microgrid is an energy system that can operate independently from the main grid. Gallaudet’s microgrid combines multiple forms of distributed energy resources, including hundreds of solar panels spread across seven rooftops; any energy the school doesn’t use immediately can be stored in a campus battery.

By producing most of its own energy on-site, Gallaudet is easing the burden on the local utility grid—and the university’s energy bill.

“The main reason for the microgrid is it’s going to save the university a lot of money,” said Dave Good, director of energy, utilities, and sustainability at Gallaudet University. “We anticipate it’s going to save about 40% on our energy bills every year, which is millions of dollars. It’s a very good investment. It’s going to have a relatively quick return.”

The microgrid has other benefits: It’s a resilient backup in the event of grid outages—no small matter in an era of increasingly frequent severe weather—and provides clean energy to D.C. neighborhoods through Washington’s community solar program, administered through local utility, Pepco.

Area residents who subscribe to the community solar program receive credits on their electricity bills, reducing their monthly electric bills by up to 10%. To date, more than 400 households have subscribed to Gallaudet’s community solar offering.

“We have all this space and we’re able to maximize the economic and environmental benefits, and the community benefits through the community solar program,” Good said.

Good and experts from the clean energy financing initiative Urban Ingenuity (an affiliate of Working Power, an organization that co-develops clean energy projects) and distributed energy company Scale Microgrids worked together to develop the microgrid. Officials from each entity led a tour for staff members from The Pew Charitable Trusts and university faculty to showcase the facility and explain distributed energy resources and the benefits they yield for the campus and community.

Good explained that the university uses a single “point of common coupling,” or one dedicated point, where Pepco delivers electricity to the university. That grid design allows Gallaudet to easily switch from the Pepco grid to the school microgrid when needed.

The formation and economics of the project are distinct. In 2015, Urban Ingenuity conducted a citywide microgrid study, with support from the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment. The study identified Gallaudet as a top contender for a microgrid system based on criteria and a scoring system that balanced economic, financial, and regulatory concerns.

As part of the project agreement, the university earns revenue from leasing rooftops for solar arrays to Scale Microgrids. The battery energy storage also helps the grid operator for the mid-Atlantic region, PJM, safely and reliably deliver electricity through its “frequency response program.” This allows the university to earn revenue from the energy it provides while assisting PJM in balancing energy supply and demand.

Dr. Christopher Hayes, an assistant professor of mathematics at Gallaudet who joined the tour, said energy costs are frequently a topic of conversation in his classroom.

“Students are, of course, naturally interested in green energy, but they rarely know what the costs of electricity are in daily life,” Hayes said. “The microgrid will help me give a concrete, real-world example that they can study, and help them appreciate that green energy can be the smart economic choice. I think it’s a great opportunity.”

Good is also excited about the energy reliability the microgrid provides, including during weather-related outages. “We’ll continue to be able to operate campus and really have almost no disruption at all,” he said. “When we’re disconnected from the grid, that’s called ‘islanded’ because we’re on an island of electricity generation on the campus. We’ve already tested this out a few times and were able to operate the entire campus using electricity from our microgrid. So, it’s proven, and it is an exciting benefit.”

Today, there are hundreds of microgrids around the United States, including at other universities and many facilities that depend on electricity to operate essential services—fire stations, hospitals, and wastewater treatment plants, among others.

Developing a microgrid project can be a complicated process that requires expertise to navigate regulatory, engineering, and financial complexities. However, Bracken Hendricks, co-founder and CEO of Urban Ingenuity, said microgrid technologies are advancing quickly and, with growing energy demand and rising utility bills, more microgrids may soon be operational in the U.S.

“It’s really a solid economic payback,” Good said. Further, he added, the microgrid “helps Gallaudet to achieve its mission to educate deaf and hard of hearing students.”

For more information, visit Energy Modernization | The Pew Charitable Trusts (pewtrusts.org) 

Contact: Matt Herbert, officer, mherbert@pewtrusts.org, 605-759-8911

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SOURCE The Pew Charitable Trusts

ATLANTA, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — YuppTV, one of the world’s leading OTT platforms for South Asian content, has announced that Willow TV is now available for streaming on YuppTV in the United States. This brings cricket fans in the US region closer to the action, ensuring they can watch the live streaming of major cricket series Asia Cup 2025.

The Asia Cup 2025 will be played from September 9 to September 28, with India taking on hosts United Arab Emirates in their opening match on September 10. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai. Cricket fans in the United States can stream this thrilling encounter along with all other Asia Cup matches live on Willow TV via YuppTV.

The Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong to compete in the thrilling T20 format. Covering 19 matches, the Cricket tournament will unfold through group stages, the Super Four, and the grand final. Among the fixtures, the iconic India vs Pakistan clash stands out as the most popular battle, set to capture the attention of millions of fans and ignite unmatched excitement across the cricketing world.

Action-packed cricket tournament Asia Cup 2025, showcasing a total of 19 thrilling matches played across two of the UAE’s iconic cricket stadiums the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The tournament will begin with the group stage, where teams battle it out for a place in the next round.

Teams in Asia Cup 2025

Group A: India, Oman, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates

Group B: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka

Cricket fans in the United States can subscribe now to YuppTV to watch Willow TV, the live cricket channel, and enjoy live coverage of the Asia Cup 2025 along with other international cricket tournaments.

For more information: Visit  https://www.yupptv.com/allpackages

About YuppTV

YuppTV is one of the world’s largest internet-based TV and On-demand service provider for South Asian content, offering more than 250+ TV channels.

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SOURCE YuppTV

• Mars signs first U.S. clean energy contracts with Enel to support its Renewable Acceleration with more global projects on the way in order to cover electricity needs of its full value chain.
• Mars expects its Renewable Acceleration program to contribute an estimated 10% reduction of its total carbon footprint by 2030, against a 2015 baseline.
• Mars believes Renewable Acceleration can help expand clean energy capacity building and improve energy resilience and security for Mars and its partners; Mars is encouraging other companies to follow.

MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mars, Incorporated has announced a major step in its decarbonization journey under its new program called Renewable Acceleration by teaming up with energy partner Enel. This initiative is designed to speed up the shift from fossil fuels to clean energy – not just for Mars owned sites, but across its entire value chain by bringing the totality of their electricity usage to the renewables market.

This means sourcing renewable electricity to cover everything from the farms that grow ingredients to the trucks that deliver products, and even the energy used by consumers at home to enjoy their favorite Mars products, like Ben’s Original™ and SNICKERS^® Ice Cream, or at their BANFIELD™ veterinarian’s office. By implementing this Renewable Acceleration strategy, Mars could cut around 3 million tonnes of carbon emissions from its full value chain – about 10% of its current total footprint. Renewable electricity is one of the best understood, widely accepted and low-cost decarbonization solutions available – this new approach maximizes and accelerates its delivery potential.

“Many large companies are well on their way to sourcing renewable electricity for their own operations, but that’s just a part of the picture,” Kevin Rabinovitch, Global VP Sustainability said. “For Mars, Renewable Acceleration is a performance accelerator, cutting emissions at a scale and speed we could never achieve through traditional value chain engagement approaches. It lets us bring demand for all the electricity used in our value chain to the clean energy market in a highly efficient manner. The more demand we create together, the faster we can build the future we all want. And clean energy means cleaner air for our communities, our people, and our partners.”

Direct operations across the business globally use approximately 2 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity each year, roughly the equivalent of the annual consumption of The Bahamas. But when you include the full Mars value chain under Renewables Acceleration to include our suppliers, customers and our consumers, that number jumps to 8-9 TWh – the annual equivalent of Estonia.¹

Mars has signed its first Renewable Acceleration program contract with energy provider, Enel North America. A part of the Enel Group, this is their largest-ever power purchase agreement (PPA) transaction with a commercial and industrial customer worldwide as well as Mars largest contract to date. Additional global agreements are in the pipeline. These contracts support the development of renewable energy projects that serve both Mars and its suppliers while building energy resilience for the business.

The first three contracts with Enel will generate a combined 1.8 TWh annually, avoiding approximately 700ktCO₂e per year.² The agreement means that Mars value chain will benefit from the entire output from Enel’s three solar plants in Texas, U.S.A. Vegetation at all three sites will be managed through sheep grazing, a sustainable dual-use solar practice that Enel expanded through the largest solar grazing agreement signed in the United States.

“Renewable Acceleration is a bold initiative to support the buildout of more clean energy capacity, which we know is among the fastest and most economical ways to decarbonize,” said Michele Di Murro, CEO of Enel North America. “Mars is raising the bar for corporate sustainability strategies, taking a comprehensive and direct approach to addressing emissions across its entire value chain. Enel is proud to partner with Mars in launching this new program.”

With each additional contract signed by Mars, the company expects Renewable Acceleration to contribute towards a 10% reduction of its total carbon footprint by 2030. Renewable Acceleration is part of the company’s broader sustainability strategy, which also includes tackling deforestation, supporting climate-smart agriculture,³ improving transport, and embedding sustainability across the business.

About Mars, Incorporated
Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As an approximately $55bn family-owned business, our diverse and expanding portfolio of leading pet care products and veterinary services support pets all around the world and our quality snacking and food products delight millions of people every day. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN^®, PEDIGREE^®, WHISKAS^®, CESAR^®, DOVE^®, EXTRA^®, M&M’s^®, SNICKERS^® and BEN’S ORIGINAL™. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, VCA™ and ANICURA™ span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH^® offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles—Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom—inspire our 150,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Media Contacts:
marsmediarelations@effem.com

¹ Per 2023 electricity net consumption EIA data.
² Mars calculates the GHG benefits of these projects under Renewable Acceleration based on national U.S. grid factors reflecting nationwide sourcing.
³ Unless expressly noted otherwise, all references to “climate-smart” agriculture or practices refer to practices that support agricultural transformation to reduce and remove GHG emissions; regenerate soils and support biodiversity; and/or adapt to increasing climate hazards.

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SOURCE Mars, Incorporated

Employees Honor Sam Kitchell’s Vision with 36 Volunteer Events Across Four States, Launching a Month-long Giving Campaign on the National Day of Service

PHOENIX, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Marking its 75th anniversary, Kitchell is honoring the vision of founder Sam Kitchell with a month-long Founder’s Day campaign, powered by the Kitchell Foundation and employees across four states. Launching on the National Day of Service (Sept. 11) and continuing throughout the month, this year’s program spans 36 events in four states—demonstrating the company’s enduring commitment to the communities where its employees live and work.

“Sam Kitchell believed that building strong communities was just as important as building great projects,” said Wendy Cohen, president and CEO at Kitchell. “Seventy-five years later, his belief still drives how we show up, serve and do business.”

Community service stands as a cornerstone of Kitchell’s mission, reflected in initiatives that strengthen communities year after year. This year’s Founder’s Day efforts span six core areas of impact—health and wellness, hunger relief and basic needs, housing and shelter, animal welfare, education and youth development, and environmental stewardship. All reflect Kitchell’s commitment to supporting the diverse needs of communities across its footprint, continuing the legacy of community giving begun by its founder.

“Our annual Founder’s Day program reflects the values that have guided our company since 1950—engaging employees in meaningful service to strengthen communities, address urgent needs and ensure Sam’s legacy of giving back continues for generations to come,” Cohen said.

From assembling care bags for nurses in Arizona and lending a hand at shelters in Texas to supporting hunger initiatives in California and an environmental effort in New York, nearly 400 employees will unite in service to create tangible, lasting change while supporting underserved populations, strengthening community bonds, addressing urgent needs and ensuring the company’s legacy of generosity continues to shape lives well beyond Founder’s Day.

“Every Founder’s Day, I’m inspired by the impact we create when we come together,” said Dosayra Brumley, Senior Marketing and Community Engagement Specialist. “We’ve served meals at women’s shelters together, assembled care packages for hospital patients and shared stories over coffee. It’s in those moments you realize this isn’t just volunteering; it’s building a history with the community, year after year, and being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s a tradition I look forward to every year.”

This year, Kitchell employees will deliver more than 1,250 volunteer hours to 36 nonprofits across Arizona, California, New York and Texas. Employees work together to select the benefiting nonprofits, allowing them to support causes that are both meaningful to them and critical to the communities they serve.

Known as one of the top corporate givers in the construction and real estate development industry, Kitchell’s culture of service is driven by its employees, whose volunteerism, donations and hands-on engagement bring meaningful change to communities. Success is measured by the relationships built and connections created—enduring partnerships that strengthen with each passing year.

“As we celebrate our 75th year, we are not only honoring our history but also investing in the future,” said Cohen. “Founder’s Day is more than a tradition—it is a promise to expand impact, deepen partnerships and carry forward Sam’s legacy into the next 75 years.”

Together, these efforts reflect the enduring spirit of Founder’s Day—transforming time, talent and resources into meaningful change that strengthens communities year after year.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/where-work-meets-purpose-kitchell-founders-day-marks-75-years-of-community-impact-302554128.html

SOURCE Kitchell

Employees Honor Sam Kitchell’s Vision with 36 Volunteer Events Across Four States, Launching a Month-long Giving Campaign on the National Day of Service

PHOENIX, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Marking its 75th anniversary, Kitchell is honoring the vision of founder Sam Kitchell with a month-long Founder’s Day campaign, powered by the Kitchell Foundation and employees across four states. Launching on the National Day of Service (Sept. 11) and continuing throughout the month, this year’s program spans 36 events in four states—demonstrating the company’s enduring commitment to the communities where its employees live and work.

“Sam Kitchell believed that building strong communities was just as important as building great projects,” said Wendy Cohen, president and CEO at Kitchell. “Seventy-five years later, his belief still drives how we show up, serve and do business.”

Community service stands as a cornerstone of Kitchell’s mission, reflected in initiatives that strengthen communities year after year. This year’s Founder’s Day efforts span six core areas of impact—health and wellness, hunger relief and basic needs, housing and shelter, animal welfare, education and youth development, and environmental stewardship. All reflect Kitchell’s commitment to supporting the diverse needs of communities across its footprint, continuing the legacy of community giving begun by its founder.

“Our annual Founder’s Day program reflects the values that have guided our company since 1950—engaging employees in meaningful service to strengthen communities, address urgent needs and ensure Sam’s legacy of giving back continues for generations to come,” Cohen said.

From assembling care bags for nurses in Arizona and lending a hand at shelters in Texas to supporting hunger initiatives in California and an environmental effort in New York, nearly 400 employees will unite in service to create tangible, lasting change while supporting underserved populations, strengthening community bonds, addressing urgent needs and ensuring the company’s legacy of generosity continues to shape lives well beyond Founder’s Day.

“Every Founder’s Day, I’m inspired by the impact we create when we come together,” said Dosayra Brumley, Senior Marketing and Community Engagement Specialist. “We’ve served meals at women’s shelters together, assembled care packages for hospital patients and shared stories over coffee. It’s in those moments you realize this isn’t just volunteering; it’s building a history with the community, year after year, and being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s a tradition I look forward to every year.”

This year, Kitchell employees will deliver more than 1,250 volunteer hours to 36 nonprofits across Arizona, California, New York and Texas. Employees work together to select the benefiting nonprofits, allowing them to support causes that are both meaningful to them and critical to the communities they serve.

Known as one of the top corporate givers in the construction and real estate development industry, Kitchell’s culture of service is driven by its employees, whose volunteerism, donations and hands-on engagement bring meaningful change to communities. Success is measured by the relationships built and connections created—enduring partnerships that strengthen with each passing year.

“As we celebrate our 75th year, we are not only honoring our history but also investing in the future,” said Cohen. “Founder’s Day is more than a tradition—it is a promise to expand impact, deepen partnerships and carry forward Sam’s legacy into the next 75 years.”

Together, these efforts reflect the enduring spirit of Founder’s Day—transforming time, talent and resources into meaningful change that strengthens communities year after year.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/where-work-meets-purpose-kitchell-founders-day-marks-75-years-of-community-impact-302554128.html

SOURCE Kitchell

Employees Honor Sam Kitchell’s Vision with 36 Volunteer Events Across Four States, Launching a Month-long Giving Campaign on the National Day of Service

PHOENIX, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Marking its 75th anniversary, Kitchell is honoring the vision of founder Sam Kitchell with a month-long Founder’s Day campaign, powered by the Kitchell Foundation and employees across four states. Launching on the National Day of Service (Sept. 11) and continuing throughout the month, this year’s program spans 36 events in four states—demonstrating the company’s enduring commitment to the communities where its employees live and work.

“Sam Kitchell believed that building strong communities was just as important as building great projects,” said Wendy Cohen, president and CEO at Kitchell. “Seventy-five years later, his belief still drives how we show up, serve and do business.”

Community service stands as a cornerstone of Kitchell’s mission, reflected in initiatives that strengthen communities year after year. This year’s Founder’s Day efforts span six core areas of impact—health and wellness, hunger relief and basic needs, housing and shelter, animal welfare, education and youth development, and environmental stewardship. All reflect Kitchell’s commitment to supporting the diverse needs of communities across its footprint, continuing the legacy of community giving begun by its founder.

“Our annual Founder’s Day program reflects the values that have guided our company since 1950—engaging employees in meaningful service to strengthen communities, address urgent needs and ensure Sam’s legacy of giving back continues for generations to come,” Cohen said.

From assembling care bags for nurses in Arizona and lending a hand at shelters in Texas to supporting hunger initiatives in California and an environmental effort in New York, nearly 400 employees will unite in service to create tangible, lasting change while supporting underserved populations, strengthening community bonds, addressing urgent needs and ensuring the company’s legacy of generosity continues to shape lives well beyond Founder’s Day.

“Every Founder’s Day, I’m inspired by the impact we create when we come together,” said Dosayra Brumley, Senior Marketing and Community Engagement Specialist. “We’ve served meals at women’s shelters together, assembled care packages for hospital patients and shared stories over coffee. It’s in those moments you realize this isn’t just volunteering; it’s building a history with the community, year after year, and being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s a tradition I look forward to every year.”

This year, Kitchell employees will deliver more than 1,250 volunteer hours to 36 nonprofits across Arizona, California, New York and Texas. Employees work together to select the benefiting nonprofits, allowing them to support causes that are both meaningful to them and critical to the communities they serve.

Known as one of the top corporate givers in the construction and real estate development industry, Kitchell’s culture of service is driven by its employees, whose volunteerism, donations and hands-on engagement bring meaningful change to communities. Success is measured by the relationships built and connections created—enduring partnerships that strengthen with each passing year.

“As we celebrate our 75th year, we are not only honoring our history but also investing in the future,” said Cohen. “Founder’s Day is more than a tradition—it is a promise to expand impact, deepen partnerships and carry forward Sam’s legacy into the next 75 years.”

Together, these efforts reflect the enduring spirit of Founder’s Day—transforming time, talent and resources into meaningful change that strengthens communities year after year.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/where-work-meets-purpose-kitchell-founders-day-marks-75-years-of-community-impact-302554128.html

SOURCE Kitchell

BALTIMORE, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Power Up Connect has introduced the MBESS 90 kWh, recognized as the world’s first International Fire Code compliant Mobile Battery Energy Storage System. This milestone represents the result of a three-year collaboration between Power Up Connect and Dominion Energy and was officially unveiled at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Currently, the MBESS 90 kWh is the only MBESS to achieve UL 9540 listing and is now available for commercial purchase.

The MBESS 90 kWh (patent pending) has a 30 kW maximum output built to be the ultimate dispatchable mobile energy solution, designed to meet energy needs anywhere, anytime, in any conditions. It is light enough, at under 5,000 pounds, to be towed by even mid-sized SUVs and can be safely deployed throughout communities due to its UL9540 and UL9540A certification. It includes 1,100 watts of solar panels which can be expanded to 15,000 watts with an additional solar array for battery charging for fully off grid deployments. Combine that with the capability to daisy chain up to ten units for a combined 900 kWh of capacity and the possible applications are endless. And due to its range of output options it can be used to power anything from a standard 120 VAC appliance to electric vehicle charging. “We built the MBESS 90 kWh to meet the highest standards. From safety, to reliability, to mobility, we know that people will be relying on our system to get them the energy they need in places where there are no other options. It has to work, and our MBESS system delivers,” stated Scott Calhoun, COO and President of Power Up Connect.

Dominion Energy, one of the largest utilities in the US, sponsored the development of the MBESS 90 kWh to further diversify emergency response capabilities and meet energy needs, especially in those moments when energy is least accessible. The technology has the potential to provide quiet, mobile, emission free energy for industries ranging from festivals to food trucks, weddings to remote work sites, even powering remote location filming and outdoor entertainment.

“The UL certification has been the key to ensuring that our corporate customers can use this system in public settings. That’s what your fire marshals and permitting offices are looking for to approve a battery system of this size as the energy solution for those types of deployments,” explained Mwamburi Mkaya, MBESS 90 kWh project director. “Before this system, it’s been the wild west out there in the battery world. There are several options available, but all of them were developed before any standards were in place. Our partnership with Dominion Energy gave us the insight to develop a system that meets the highest safety standards and can be deployed in almost any industry that requires mobile energy.”

The MBESS 90 kWh is the cornerstone of the Power Up Connect mobile energy lineup. It will be manufactured in the US at the Power Up Connect facility in Baltimore, Maryland and is available now.

About Power Up Connect
Established in 2008 in the City of Baltimore, POWER UP CONNECT^™ has been on the forefront of manufacturing and deploying some of the first charging stations in the United States. POWER UP CONNECT^™ has always stayed true to being an integrator of the latest charging technology while designing innovative products that keep people connected.

About CES
CES is one of the year’s largest international technological showcases, bringing together over 141,000 innovators, thought leaders, and consumers to present the most cutting-edge products, advancements, and solutions the world has to offer. The MBESS 90 kWh-capacity system has groundbreaking safety features, flexible deployment options, and versatile applications, which made this battery trailer system one of the highlights of this year’s energy tech offerings.

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SOURCE Power Up Connect