Category: Uncategorized

Lab simulations and testing demonstrate highly accurate, fast fault detection technology designed for grid-edge implementation on utility distribution linesCollaboration among Eaton, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research Development Center (ERDC), National Renewable Energy Laboratory and North American utilities drives novel solution Eaton to present on wildfire mitigation technologies at the 2025 DistribuTECH and TechAdvantage industry conferences 

PITTSBURGH, March 24, 2025 /3BL/ – Intelligent power management company Eaton today announced a groundbreaking innovation strengthening wildfire prevention efforts on utility distribution systems. Achieved in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) research and development arm, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and multiple North American utilities, the new Eaton HiZ ProtectTM solution addresses a long-standing challenge for electric utilities: accurately and quickly detecting and mitigating high-impedance (HiZ) powerline faults that could potentially ignite wildfires. Pilot projects with multiple North American utilities are underway to further refine the technology, which is expected to be first available in Eaton’s Form 7 recloser controls. 

Existing grid protection technologies struggle to accurately prevent or identify HiZ faults, prompting utilities to resort to public safety power shutoffs during high-risk conditions. Eaton’s HiZ Protect technology will help strengthen utility wildfire prevention efforts by automatically and accurately identifying and isolating these powerline faults. Under lab-simulated conditions and using real-world grid data from multiple utilities, the Eaton technology detected and de-energized HiZ faults with greater than 90% accuracy. 

“Fortifying the electric grid against the threat of wildfires has never been more important and at Eaton, we’re helping the industry accelerate these efforts through our expansive solutions and research and development efforts,” said Chris Herbst, PhD, Eaton’s vice president of strategic partnerships and innovation. “We work with most utilities across North America and know wildfire prevention efforts are a top priority. In collaboration with USACE ERDC, NREL and multiple U.S. utilities, we’re breaking the boundaries of what electrical systems can do to help protect communities and the environment.” 

HiZ faults, often caused by fallen trees or damaged insulators, are historically difficult to detect due to their low fault current levels and unique characteristics. Eaton’s approach to identifying and mitigating high-impedance faults incorporates three novel elements including, integrated sensors, machine learning and edge-based implementation. The solution can be deployed in grid-edge monitoring and control devices such as Eaton’s Form-7 recloser controls to provide high-fidelity data. This capability is critical in remote areas, where communication infrastructure is limited and the ability to rapidly respond to grid conditions is essential.

“It is critically important be able to identify fault situations and take action to de-energize impacted power lines and curtail risk of wildfire to protect people and property, including military and utility systems,” said Nathan Peterson, electrical engineer at the USACE ERDC Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL). “We believe Eaton research, development and commercialization of high impedance fault detection technology offers immense opportunity to fortify the grid by quickly and reliably delivering the data needed to improve wildfire detection and mitigation at the grid edge.” 

The Eaton solution was developed through extensive research on the unique fault signatures of high-impedance events on the grid and precise measurement of variables such as tree species, soil types and environmental conditions. Hundreds of simulations and field experiments were conducted at Eaton’s Thomas A. Edison Test Center in Franksville, Wisconsin. Eaton used the data to develop a novel machine learning algorithm capable of reliably predicting and reducing the potential for these powerline faults to initiate wildfires. Today, the company is piloting the technology with utilities and across various geographic conditions to further refine and validate the technology. 

During the 2025 DistribuTECH conference in March 2025, Souvik Chandra, PhD, a senior specialist engineer at Eaton’s Research Labs, will participate in a panel discussion on the strategies utilities are deploying to mitigate wildfire risks, including Eaton’s novel fault detection technology. 

Learn more about Eaton’s approach to wildfire mitigation and read the white paper on harnessing artificial intelligence for high impedance fault detection and mitigation.

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.   

Founded in 1911, Eaton has continuously evolved to meet the changing and expanding needs of our stakeholders. With revenues of nearly $25 billion in 2024, the company serves customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn. 

Contact:

Kristin Somers
+1.919.345.3714
Kristincsomers@eaton.com

Regina Parundik 
Cobblestone Communications
+1.412.559.1614
Regina@cobblecreative.com 

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Originally posted by Action Against Hunger.

Yemen remains one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises and the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula. While battling economic decline and rising prices, the majority of the Yemeni population lacks access to food, water, and adequate health services. Since 2012, Action Against Hunger programs have been supporting the most vulnerable communities in Yemen.

There has been a decline in the intensity of fighting in Yemen, yet almost half of the population remains food insecure. About 2.7 million pregnant and breastfeeding women need treatment for acute malnutrition, and 55% of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition. With limited access to healthcare and vaccines, children are particularly at risk for diseases such as cholera, measles, and diphtheria.

Like five million other displaced Yemenis, Fatma’s family was forced to flee their home because of the conflict and now lives in a makeshift shelter. “When I saw the devastation of our home, I feared for our survival. I took my children in my arms and left,” explains Fatma, a mother of five from the Hodeidah region. Fatma, accompanied by her husband, mother, and children, travelled over one hundred miles to a camp for displaced persons in Al-Musaimeer in the governorate of Abyan. They relied on Fatma’s husband’s income to survive, but an accident left him permanently unable to work. Fully reliant on whatever financial support could be offered by relatives, the family often went to bed hungry.

“One day, my son Ali became so weak that I feared for his life,” said Fatma. “He was born with a healthy weight, but at the age of 10 months, the Action Against Hunger mobile team diagnosed him with severe acute malnutrition. Once at the health unit, the doctors gave him special therapeutic food and monitored him closely. After a difficult nine-day period, I saw him regain his strength. Action Against Hunger covered our transportation costs so we could return for regular check-ups. They also gave us hygiene products and taught us how to prevent malnutrition. Today, Ali is healthy again.”

A humanitarian situation that continues to deteriorate 

After a decade of conflict and successive crises, the number of Yemenis in need of humanitarian aid continues to grow, rising from 18.2 million in 2024 to 19.5 million in 2025. Instability in the Red Sea region has only worsened the humanitarian situation, disrupting shipments of food, fuel and other basic necessities, much of which are imported. It has also threatened the livelihoods of fishermen who provide food for their surrounding regions, and some have had to move in search of new economic opportunities.

Yemen is the third most-affected country in the world by the climate crisis, and it is frequently hit by violent weather phenomena, including torrential rains and devastating floods. In 2024, tens of thousands of people were impacted by the destruction of essential infrastructure by weather catastrophes. For displaced families with no access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation infrastructure, or housing, seasonal floods pose a serious threat and are likely to exacerbate malnutrition and the ongoing cholera epidemic.

Major challenges for humanitarian assistance 

Despite the significant problems associated with humanitarian access, our teams continue to offer communities resources for survival. In 2023 alone, we supported more than 400,000 people. We provide medical support and nutritional treatment to people threatened by malnutrition, as well as clean water to communities to prevent water-borne epidemics such as cholera. Every day, our therapists help patients heal the invisible wounds left by this catastrophic humanitarian situation.

Despite immense needs, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains underfunded. In 2024, only 55.3% of funding targets were met. International donor fatigue has been compounded by the end of US funding, which contributed 35.5% of the humanitarian response in the country in 2024. This sudden cessation of humanitarian aid, coupled with the US government’s rapid dismantling of essential elements of the aid system, undermines efforts to combat malnutrition and increases humanitarian needs among the most vulnerable.

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About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 59 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

CLEVELAND, March 24, 2025 /3BL/ – KeyBank is being recognized for its support of small and middle market business clients with twelve 2025 Best Bank Awards in middle market banking and small business. These awards reflect Key’s sophisticated platform and depth of expertise for growth companies as well as its commitment to helping small businesses grow and run better.

KeyBank received the following nine national and regional Coalition Greenwich Best Bank Awards for middle market banking:

Best Bank – Ease of Doing Business for Middle Market Banking in the U.S.Best Bank – Values Long-Term Relationships for Middle Market Banking in the U.S.Best Bank – Trust for Middle Market Banking in the U.S.Best Bank – Customer Service for Middle Market Banking in the U.S.Best Bank – Satisfaction with Cash Management Sales Specialist for Middle Market Banking in the U.S.Best Bank – Satisfaction with Relationship Manager (RM) for Middle Market Banking in the U.S.Best Bank – Advisory Capabilities of Relationship Manager (RM) for Middle Market Banking in the U.S.Best Bank – Satisfaction with Relationship Manager (RM) for Middle Market Banking in the U.S. (Northeast)Best Bank – Satisfaction with Relationship Manager (RM) for Middle Market Banking in the U.S. (West)

These awards recognize KeyBank’s ability to build trusted relationships with middle market clients, providing them with high quality advice and day-to-day service, that helps them optimize business performance.

“These awards are a testament to the deep trusted relationships we’ve built with our clients and the dedication of the teams that serve them every day,” said Ken Gavrity, President of Key Commercial Bank. “We are honored to be recognized by Greenwich Associates and our clients and remain committed to delivering a best-in-class platform and deep industry expertise that empowers middle market businesses to grow and succeed.”

Learn more about the solutions KeyBank offers to middle market businesses

KeyBank also received the following three national and regional Coalition Greenwich Best Bank Awards for Small Business Banking:

Best Bank – Satisfaction with Relationship Manager (RM) for Small Business Banking in the U.S.Best Bank – Advisory Capabilities of Relationship Manager (RM) for Small Business Banking in the U.S.Best Bank – Satisfaction with Relationship Manager (RM) for Small Business Banking in the U.S. (Midwest)

“Our people are the foundation of KeyBank and these awards from Greenwich reflect their expertise and ability to reach out and build relationships with small businesses across the nation,” said Mike Walters, President of Business Banking at KeyBank. “We are committed to providing small businesses with the tools and guidance they need to help them run better and grow in their communities.”

Learn more about how KeyBank helps small businesses

Methodology

Small Business: Awards are based on more than 13,000 interviews with businesses with sales of $1 million –$10 million across the country.

Middle Market Business: Awards are Based on nearly 12,000 interviews with businesses with sales of $10–500 million across the United States.

ABOUT KEYCORP

In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at December 31, 2024.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

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