Tag: 3BL

By The Black & Veatch Insights Group

As a trusted and reputable energy utility, you’re focused on building a strong connection to your customers. Your power distribution system’s ability to provide affordable service, effectively withstand the elements, mitigate security threats and comply with evolving regulations directly impacts your customers. No matter if they are in a dense urban city, a suburban sprawl or a remote rural community, customers are asking their utilities to consider the transition from overhead to underground power distribution — especially in the wake of increasingly extreme weather events. Compared to traditional overhead distribution, underground systems offer the following benefits to energy utilities and their surrounding communities:

1. Facilitates Long-Term Cost Savings

While the initial installation costs of underground systems can be higher than overhead systems, utilities can expect lower maintenance and repair costs — in addition to savings from the reduced frequency and duration of outages. At first, you might be wary of the higher costs of installation: excavation, drilling, and pulling and splicing cable requires extra time, sophisticated expertise and special equipment compared to the installation of traditional overhead power lines. Fortunately, underground systems have less exposure to extreme weather and therefore don’t cost nearly as much to repair and maintain. Overhead power systems also require regular vegetation management (and associated traffic control) — a costly and tedious management practice that isn’t necessary for underground systems. Underground systems typically take up less rights of way (ROW), so compared to overhead systems there’s no additional costs for securing easements. Over the expected 30- to 40-year life expectancy of an underground system, these savings quickly offset the initial installation costs.

2. Increases Reliability and Resilience

Underground systems are less susceptible to damage from natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning strikes, ice storms and heavy snowfall — minimizing the risk and duration of outages. Since they are isolated underground at a relatively consistent temperature, these systems are neither threatened by wildfires nor in danger of causing wildfires. Although underground systems still are susceptible to flooding, the equipment typically is buried at least three feet deep and designed to resist water (to a certain extent). Unlike traditional overhead systems, underground systems are not vulnerable to damage from trees falling on the lines or curious wild animals shorting out insulators. This overall improved reliability is especially critical for essential service facilities such as hospitals, police stations and data centers.

It’s also important to consider any upgrades necessary to support electrification of consumer vehicles, commercial fleets and buildings in your service area. Underground systems offer opportunities to leverage the latest innovations in distribution including smart grid technology, automatic reclosers, viper switches and fault detection in earthquake-prone areas — further increasing the reliability and resilience of your system.

3. Enhances Safety and Security

Without exposed wires or poles, underground distribution systems mitigate the risk of electrocution injuries and accidents for construction workers and homeowners. In the United States, anyone who is excavating or digging can call the 811 Underground Service Alert hotline and be informed of all types of underground utilities in the area. Underground systems are less vulnerable to deliberate acts of vandalism or terrorism since they aren’t as accessible as overhead systems. There have been recent news stories of nefarious individuals attacking overhead insulators or de-energizing public facilities such as schools; underground equipment is far more difficult for unauthorized personnel to reach.

4. Relieves Regulatory, Customer Pressure

Regulatory agencies around the country are shifting requirements in favor of underground systems. In California, lawmakers are turning to utilities to reduce wildfire dangers; in Florida and Alabama, local governments are requiring underground systems in the hopes of making the power grid more resilient to major storms.

Underground systems also are considered more aesthetically pleasing (and less disruptive to customer views) due to the elimination of overhead wires, poles and transformers. Additionally, these systems facilitate more flexibility in urban planning and development because they allow for vertical building by mitigating clashes with overhead lines and poles.

Utilities are facing regulatory and customer pressure for environmental concerns as well. Underground systems have a smaller environmental footprint because they don’t require extensive overhead infrastructure, which is especially beneficial in environmentally sensitive areas. Horizontal directional drilling is less disruptive to the environment than trenching; for example, rather than disturbing a waterway such as a lake or river, underground systems can be routed directly underneath.

Next Steps: Collaborate with an Expert Partner to Guide Your Underground Journey

Underground distribution systems are essential to future-proof critical infrastructure and ensure affordable, dependable and resilient service for your customers. As utilities seek additional renewable energy options (such as solar and wind power) that require extensive underground cabling, these systems become even more essential. Whether you’re most interested in cost savings, resiliency, security or simply relieving regulatory pressures, there are numerous benefits to migrating your overhead distribution systems, underground. Consider working with an expert engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partner that can offer everything you need in-house: experienced design services, long-standing supply chain relationships, access to sophisticated drilling equipment and skilled installers. A truly experienced partner will know how to overcome common deployment challenges, minimize service disruptions to protect your investments and navigate the complexities of available funding (such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Grid Innovation Partnerships Program (GRIP), and Texas House Bill 2555) to support costly upgrade projects. With touchpoints at every stage of the infrastructure lifecycle, your EPC partner will be incentivized to provide high-quality work from start to finish, and you’ll receive a turnkey solution.

Overland Contracting Inc. (OCI), a Black & Veatch company, leads the industry with reliable critical infrastructure solutions. OCI’s construction solutions for underground distribution systems are founded upon decades of large-scale power delivery experience. Backed by the integrated engineering capabilities of our parent company, OCI promises safe, efficient, and high-quality underground distribution projects. We have the in-house skills and resources necessary to solve any environmental, regulatory, or technical challenge—whether we’re installing a new underground system or updating existing infrastructure. Talk to our agile and adaptive team about achieving your unique distribution system goals.

By The Black & Veatch Insights Group

As a trusted and reputable energy utility, you’re focused on building a strong connection to your customers. Your power distribution system’s ability to provide affordable service, effectively withstand the elements, mitigate security threats and comply with evolving regulations directly impacts your customers. No matter if they are in a dense urban city, a suburban sprawl or a remote rural community, customers are asking their utilities to consider the transition from overhead to underground power distribution — especially in the wake of increasingly extreme weather events. Compared to traditional overhead distribution, underground systems offer the following benefits to energy utilities and their surrounding communities:

1. Facilitates Long-Term Cost Savings

While the initial installation costs of underground systems can be higher than overhead systems, utilities can expect lower maintenance and repair costs — in addition to savings from the reduced frequency and duration of outages. At first, you might be wary of the higher costs of installation: excavation, drilling, and pulling and splicing cable requires extra time, sophisticated expertise and special equipment compared to the installation of traditional overhead power lines. Fortunately, underground systems have less exposure to extreme weather and therefore don’t cost nearly as much to repair and maintain. Overhead power systems also require regular vegetation management (and associated traffic control) — a costly and tedious management practice that isn’t necessary for underground systems. Underground systems typically take up less rights of way (ROW), so compared to overhead systems there’s no additional costs for securing easements. Over the expected 30- to 40-year life expectancy of an underground system, these savings quickly offset the initial installation costs.

2. Increases Reliability and Resilience

Underground systems are less susceptible to damage from natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning strikes, ice storms and heavy snowfall — minimizing the risk and duration of outages. Since they are isolated underground at a relatively consistent temperature, these systems are neither threatened by wildfires nor in danger of causing wildfires. Although underground systems still are susceptible to flooding, the equipment typically is buried at least three feet deep and designed to resist water (to a certain extent). Unlike traditional overhead systems, underground systems are not vulnerable to damage from trees falling on the lines or curious wild animals shorting out insulators. This overall improved reliability is especially critical for essential service facilities such as hospitals, police stations and data centers.

It’s also important to consider any upgrades necessary to support electrification of consumer vehicles, commercial fleets and buildings in your service area. Underground systems offer opportunities to leverage the latest innovations in distribution including smart grid technology, automatic reclosers, viper switches and fault detection in earthquake-prone areas — further increasing the reliability and resilience of your system.

3. Enhances Safety and Security

Without exposed wires or poles, underground distribution systems mitigate the risk of electrocution injuries and accidents for construction workers and homeowners. In the United States, anyone who is excavating or digging can call the 811 Underground Service Alert hotline and be informed of all types of underground utilities in the area. Underground systems are less vulnerable to deliberate acts of vandalism or terrorism since they aren’t as accessible as overhead systems. There have been recent news stories of nefarious individuals attacking overhead insulators or de-energizing public facilities such as schools; underground equipment is far more difficult for unauthorized personnel to reach.

4. Relieves Regulatory, Customer Pressure

Regulatory agencies around the country are shifting requirements in favor of underground systems. In California, lawmakers are turning to utilities to reduce wildfire dangers; in Florida and Alabama, local governments are requiring underground systems in the hopes of making the power grid more resilient to major storms.

Underground systems also are considered more aesthetically pleasing (and less disruptive to customer views) due to the elimination of overhead wires, poles and transformers. Additionally, these systems facilitate more flexibility in urban planning and development because they allow for vertical building by mitigating clashes with overhead lines and poles.

Utilities are facing regulatory and customer pressure for environmental concerns as well. Underground systems have a smaller environmental footprint because they don’t require extensive overhead infrastructure, which is especially beneficial in environmentally sensitive areas. Horizontal directional drilling is less disruptive to the environment than trenching; for example, rather than disturbing a waterway such as a lake or river, underground systems can be routed directly underneath.

Next Steps: Collaborate with an Expert Partner to Guide Your Underground Journey

Underground distribution systems are essential to future-proof critical infrastructure and ensure affordable, dependable and resilient service for your customers. As utilities seek additional renewable energy options (such as solar and wind power) that require extensive underground cabling, these systems become even more essential. Whether you’re most interested in cost savings, resiliency, security or simply relieving regulatory pressures, there are numerous benefits to migrating your overhead distribution systems, underground. Consider working with an expert engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partner that can offer everything you need in-house: experienced design services, long-standing supply chain relationships, access to sophisticated drilling equipment and skilled installers. A truly experienced partner will know how to overcome common deployment challenges, minimize service disruptions to protect your investments and navigate the complexities of available funding (such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Grid Innovation Partnerships Program (GRIP), and Texas House Bill 2555) to support costly upgrade projects. With touchpoints at every stage of the infrastructure lifecycle, your EPC partner will be incentivized to provide high-quality work from start to finish, and you’ll receive a turnkey solution.

Overland Contracting Inc. (OCI), a Black & Veatch company, leads the industry with reliable critical infrastructure solutions. OCI’s construction solutions for underground distribution systems are founded upon decades of large-scale power delivery experience. Backed by the integrated engineering capabilities of our parent company, OCI promises safe, efficient, and high-quality underground distribution projects. We have the in-house skills and resources necessary to solve any environmental, regulatory, or technical challenge—whether we’re installing a new underground system or updating existing infrastructure. Talk to our agile and adaptive team about achieving your unique distribution system goals.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 19, 2024 /3BL/ – The STEM Careers Coalition – an alliance of industries and non-profit organizations partnering with Discovery Education to ignite student curiosity by creating equitable access to STEM content and career connections – today announced the availability of a new suite of free digital learning resources. Designed to ignite all students’ curiosity in STEM, this new collection of content was created in partnership with organizations such as Sanofi, the Caterpillar Foundation, LydaHill Philanthropies, API, Keysight, and more.

Since its founding in 2019, the STEM Careers Coalition has reached more than 7.9 million students in its mission to support the next generation of diverse STEM solution-seekers. To support its goal of reaching 10 million students by 2025, the Coalition is presenting a host of new resources for students including:

Classroom Resources 
Inspire students to explore STEM by connecting what is learned in the classroom to the wider world. With new Women’s History Month themed ready-to-use resources created with LydaHill Philanthropies, students meet with women leaders in exciting STEM fields such as computer science, life science, Earth science, space science, and physical science. Each resource features instructional activities that are designed to spark curiosity, foster a deeper understanding of the subject matter, and encourage exploration of the vast opportunities in STEM-related fields.Career Exploration Tools 
The new career profiles spotlighting professionals in STEM will help teachers make the connection between classroom instruction and potential careers through videos and accompanying lessons, activities, and hands-on student activations. New career profiles include professionals from Sanofi, DuPont, and Keysight.After School Activities 
Take student’s learning a step further with our engaging family activities. Through these hands-on experiences, learners can put problem-solving skills into practice and extend their STEM knowledge at home. Two new activities created with API encourage students to explore their surroundings through a hands-on experiment that demonstrates water-resistance materials and a scavenger hunt identifying the importance petrochemical items in everyday life.

In addition, the STEM Careers Coalition now offers a new set of resources for teachers that includes effective strategies for encouraging student curiosity sourced from fellow educators and corporate volunteers. The new Kickstarting Curiosity: Extra-Curricular STEM Tools and Tactics Activities series created with the Caterpillar Foundation offers practical guidance for integrating STEM into instruction in a Masterclass format, as well as step-by-step guides for implementing creative STEM activities that focus on important STEM skills and extension opportunities.

“With these free resources, students can explore all types of STEM careers in new and exciting ways while easily seeing how what they learn in school impacts the world,” said Amy Nakamoto, General Manager of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education.

STEM Careers Coalition partners share a common goal of empowering educators to teach STEM effectively in the classroom by nurturing student curiosity. The Coalition is preparing students for the future of work by providing equitable access to digital content and experiences that engage students in instruction, build foundational STEM knowledge, and develop the critical skills students need for college and career success.

“At Sanofi, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. As part of the STEM Careers Coalition with Discovery Education, we aim to inspire students to become STEM solution seekers so that they too can chase the miracles of science,” said Diana Blankman Roberts, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sanofi US. “We are proud of these new career profile videos showcasing some of our own leaders so students can imagine improving the lives of others through a STEM career of their own.”

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

###

About the STEM Careers Coalition 
The STEM Careers Coalition solves for critical gaps in diverse representation in the STEM professional workforce. The Coalition is an alliance of industries and non-profit organizations, reaching 7.9 million teachers and students with equitable access to STEM resources and career connections since its launch in 2019. The Coalition will continue to ignite student curiosity and influence a diverse future STEM workforce and reach 10 million teachers and students by the end 2025.

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and corporate partnerships, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contact 
Grace Maliska 
Discovery Education 
Email: gmaliska@dicoveryed.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 19, 2024 /3BL/ – The STEM Careers Coalition – an alliance of industries and non-profit organizations partnering with Discovery Education to ignite student curiosity by creating equitable access to STEM content and career connections – today announced the availability of a new suite of free digital learning resources. Designed to ignite all students’ curiosity in STEM, this new collection of content was created in partnership with organizations such as Sanofi, the Caterpillar Foundation, LydaHill Philanthropies, API, Keysight, and more.

Since its founding in 2019, the STEM Careers Coalition has reached more than 7.9 million students in its mission to support the next generation of diverse STEM solution-seekers. To support its goal of reaching 10 million students by 2025, the Coalition is presenting a host of new resources for students including:

Classroom Resources 
Inspire students to explore STEM by connecting what is learned in the classroom to the wider world. With new Women’s History Month themed ready-to-use resources created with LydaHill Philanthropies, students meet with women leaders in exciting STEM fields such as computer science, life science, Earth science, space science, and physical science. Each resource features instructional activities that are designed to spark curiosity, foster a deeper understanding of the subject matter, and encourage exploration of the vast opportunities in STEM-related fields.Career Exploration Tools 
The new career profiles spotlighting professionals in STEM will help teachers make the connection between classroom instruction and potential careers through videos and accompanying lessons, activities, and hands-on student activations. New career profiles include professionals from Sanofi, DuPont, and Keysight.After School Activities 
Take student’s learning a step further with our engaging family activities. Through these hands-on experiences, learners can put problem-solving skills into practice and extend their STEM knowledge at home. Two new activities created with API encourage students to explore their surroundings through a hands-on experiment that demonstrates water-resistance materials and a scavenger hunt identifying the importance petrochemical items in everyday life.

In addition, the STEM Careers Coalition now offers a new set of resources for teachers that includes effective strategies for encouraging student curiosity sourced from fellow educators and corporate volunteers. The new Kickstarting Curiosity: Extra-Curricular STEM Tools and Tactics Activities series created with the Caterpillar Foundation offers practical guidance for integrating STEM into instruction in a Masterclass format, as well as step-by-step guides for implementing creative STEM activities that focus on important STEM skills and extension opportunities.

“With these free resources, students can explore all types of STEM careers in new and exciting ways while easily seeing how what they learn in school impacts the world,” said Amy Nakamoto, General Manager of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education.

STEM Careers Coalition partners share a common goal of empowering educators to teach STEM effectively in the classroom by nurturing student curiosity. The Coalition is preparing students for the future of work by providing equitable access to digital content and experiences that engage students in instruction, build foundational STEM knowledge, and develop the critical skills students need for college and career success.

“At Sanofi, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. As part of the STEM Careers Coalition with Discovery Education, we aim to inspire students to become STEM solution seekers so that they too can chase the miracles of science,” said Diana Blankman Roberts, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sanofi US. “We are proud of these new career profile videos showcasing some of our own leaders so students can imagine improving the lives of others through a STEM career of their own.”

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

###

About the STEM Careers Coalition 
The STEM Careers Coalition solves for critical gaps in diverse representation in the STEM professional workforce. The Coalition is an alliance of industries and non-profit organizations, reaching 7.9 million teachers and students with equitable access to STEM resources and career connections since its launch in 2019. The Coalition will continue to ignite student curiosity and influence a diverse future STEM workforce and reach 10 million teachers and students by the end 2025.

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and corporate partnerships, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contact 
Grace Maliska 
Discovery Education 
Email: gmaliska@dicoveryed.com

Get ready for an epic cosmic show. The 2024 total solar eclipse is hitting the world on April 8, and it’s gonna be legendary, drawing millions of people to the path of totality. T-Mobile’s getting in on the action too, deploying additional cell sites to handle the surge of eclipse chasers. Learn how T-Mobile is prepping for the solar spectacle, pick up safety tips to enjoy the show and get the lowdown on separating eclipse myths from the real deal. This is your guide to the ultimate eclipse experience.

Network Preparation

Recognizing the importance of this celestial phenomenon (the next total solar eclipse visible from the United States is 20 years away!) and the tourism it will bring to areas from Maine to Texas, T-Mobile is actively preparing to ensure customers stay connected during the eclipse. T-Mobile has increased investments in network hardening by more than 30% over the past two years to reduce service interruptions during weather, disaster and major tourism events (like the solar eclipse), adding fixed backup generators at critical sites nationwide.

“T-Mobile is working hand-in-hand with state and local authorities to address the anticipated surge in network traffic to guarantee seamless connectivity for all,” said Ulf Ewaldsson, president of technology at T-Mobile. “Whether facing large influxes in data use or high demand, our network — which is the nation’s largest, fastest and most awarded — has everyone covered.”

As part of our comprehensive plan, T-Mobile is proactively deploying additional cell sites that will be on stand-by in areas expecting high tourist traffic. These temporary sites will provide crucial network reinforcement, ensuring that customers can stay connected and share their favorite eclipse moments without interruption. Teams will be conducting real-time monitoring of network performance, ready to make adjustments as necessary. This isn’t the Un-carrier’s first rodeo either. T-Mobile strategically addresses network requirements at many of the nation’s largest and most anticipated events, doubling down on its commitment to delivering a reliable network experience for customers across the country.

Any first responder agencies or organizations needing communications assistance can reach out to our 24-hour emergency hotline at 888-639-0020 or email ERTRequests@T-Mobile.com.

Safety Tips for Viewing the Eclipse

First and foremost, make sure you use eclipse glasses to protect your eyes while viewing the 2024 total solar eclipse. Eclipse glasses are specifically designed with solar filters that block harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and allow you to view the eclipse safely. Regular sunglasses, even those with UV protection, just won’t cut it against the sun’s intense light during an eclipse. So, if you plan on watching, make sure you protect your peepers with the proper eyewear.

Experts at NASA recommend that people steer clear of using binoculars, a telescope and cameras including the one on your device, to record the eclipse without a solar filter. Solar filters are designed to block the sun’s harmful rays while allowing you to observe the eclipse safely. Pointing a smartphone camera at the sun, any day, without proper filtering may damage the lens. Check out these tips from NASA on how to capture the eclipse on your device.

If you’re planning on traveling to view the eclipse, especially to rural areas, it’s important to pack an emergency preparedness kit for you and your family. Check out our tips on making your own go bag.

Myths vs. Facts

In the tech world, there’s been some talk about solar activity messing with devices and phone signals. Let’s bust some of these common myths so you know what to actually expect:

Myth 1: Solar eclipses can damage or destroy electronic devices.

Many people seem to think that the intense light emitted during a solar eclipse can harm electronics in general. But guess what? Science says nope! The light during a solar eclipse isn’t that different from the amount of light emitted during a regular day. So, no reason to worry — there’s no extra risk to your devices because of the eclipse!

Myth 2: Solar eclipses can be viewed safely without special glasses.

Looking directly at the sun, even during a solar eclipse, is a big no-no … it can cause severe eye damage! The sun’s intense light can damage the retina, leading to partial or complete vision loss. But, because this is a total solar eclipse, there is one exception: when the moon completely blocks the visible surface of the sun, NASA says it’s cool to remove your glasses, but only for a moment. Bottom-line, grab a pair of eclipse glasses or other protective eyewear that’s built to block harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Safety first, people!

Myth 3: Solar eclipses can interfere with telecommunications.

Some people believe that solar eclipses can disrupt telecommunications, like phone signals and internet connections, but it’s not true! Solar eclipses don’t emit any type of radiation or energy that could screw up electromagnetic waves, so don’t worry about your calls dropping or your Wi-Fi acting up during an eclipse — everything should be running smooth as usual.

Myth 4: Solar eclipses will make your tech act strangely.

A solar eclipse doesn’t crank up the electromagnetic radiation more than a normal day, so fear not: phones, tablets, and other devices will do their thing just like any ordinary day with regular weather. Whew!

Get ready for an epic cosmic show. The 2024 total solar eclipse is hitting the world on April 8, and it’s gonna be legendary, drawing millions of people to the path of totality. T-Mobile’s getting in on the action too, deploying additional cell sites to handle the surge of eclipse chasers. Learn how T-Mobile is prepping for the solar spectacle, pick up safety tips to enjoy the show and get the lowdown on separating eclipse myths from the real deal. This is your guide to the ultimate eclipse experience.

Network Preparation

Recognizing the importance of this celestial phenomenon (the next total solar eclipse visible from the United States is 20 years away!) and the tourism it will bring to areas from Maine to Texas, T-Mobile is actively preparing to ensure customers stay connected during the eclipse. T-Mobile has increased investments in network hardening by more than 30% over the past two years to reduce service interruptions during weather, disaster and major tourism events (like the solar eclipse), adding fixed backup generators at critical sites nationwide.

“T-Mobile is working hand-in-hand with state and local authorities to address the anticipated surge in network traffic to guarantee seamless connectivity for all,” said Ulf Ewaldsson, president of technology at T-Mobile. “Whether facing large influxes in data use or high demand, our network — which is the nation’s largest, fastest and most awarded — has everyone covered.”

As part of our comprehensive plan, T-Mobile is proactively deploying additional cell sites that will be on stand-by in areas expecting high tourist traffic. These temporary sites will provide crucial network reinforcement, ensuring that customers can stay connected and share their favorite eclipse moments without interruption. Teams will be conducting real-time monitoring of network performance, ready to make adjustments as necessary. This isn’t the Un-carrier’s first rodeo either. T-Mobile strategically addresses network requirements at many of the nation’s largest and most anticipated events, doubling down on its commitment to delivering a reliable network experience for customers across the country.

Any first responder agencies or organizations needing communications assistance can reach out to our 24-hour emergency hotline at 888-639-0020 or email ERTRequests@T-Mobile.com.

Safety Tips for Viewing the Eclipse

First and foremost, make sure you use eclipse glasses to protect your eyes while viewing the 2024 total solar eclipse. Eclipse glasses are specifically designed with solar filters that block harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and allow you to view the eclipse safely. Regular sunglasses, even those with UV protection, just won’t cut it against the sun’s intense light during an eclipse. So, if you plan on watching, make sure you protect your peepers with the proper eyewear.

Experts at NASA recommend that people steer clear of using binoculars, a telescope and cameras including the one on your device, to record the eclipse without a solar filter. Solar filters are designed to block the sun’s harmful rays while allowing you to observe the eclipse safely. Pointing a smartphone camera at the sun, any day, without proper filtering may damage the lens. Check out these tips from NASA on how to capture the eclipse on your device.

If you’re planning on traveling to view the eclipse, especially to rural areas, it’s important to pack an emergency preparedness kit for you and your family. Check out our tips on making your own go bag.

Myths vs. Facts

In the tech world, there’s been some talk about solar activity messing with devices and phone signals. Let’s bust some of these common myths so you know what to actually expect:

Myth 1: Solar eclipses can damage or destroy electronic devices.

Many people seem to think that the intense light emitted during a solar eclipse can harm electronics in general. But guess what? Science says nope! The light during a solar eclipse isn’t that different from the amount of light emitted during a regular day. So, no reason to worry — there’s no extra risk to your devices because of the eclipse!

Myth 2: Solar eclipses can be viewed safely without special glasses.

Looking directly at the sun, even during a solar eclipse, is a big no-no … it can cause severe eye damage! The sun’s intense light can damage the retina, leading to partial or complete vision loss. But, because this is a total solar eclipse, there is one exception: when the moon completely blocks the visible surface of the sun, NASA says it’s cool to remove your glasses, but only for a moment. Bottom-line, grab a pair of eclipse glasses or other protective eyewear that’s built to block harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Safety first, people!

Myth 3: Solar eclipses can interfere with telecommunications.

Some people believe that solar eclipses can disrupt telecommunications, like phone signals and internet connections, but it’s not true! Solar eclipses don’t emit any type of radiation or energy that could screw up electromagnetic waves, so don’t worry about your calls dropping or your Wi-Fi acting up during an eclipse — everything should be running smooth as usual.

Myth 4: Solar eclipses will make your tech act strangely.

A solar eclipse doesn’t crank up the electromagnetic radiation more than a normal day, so fear not: phones, tablets, and other devices will do their thing just like any ordinary day with regular weather. Whew!

Eastman

Eastman takes a principled approach to developing solutions for the circular economy.

In our previous article, “Six principles for the circular economy,” we introduced our approach to evaluating circular technologies. Now, let’s delve into our first principle: Reduce, reuse, recycle. This principle forms the foundation of our waste hierarchy strategy. Throughout this series, we’ll explore each principle in detail one article at a time.

Principle 1: Reduce, reuse, recycle

Most people are familiar with the three Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. And while this phrase may be most familiar as a consumer mantra, it’s more important now than ever that companies also adopt the sentiment. We believe in the philosophy that we should reduce, reuse and recycle materials to the fullest extent possible to reduce plastic waste, and we think industries everywhere should start with this familiar “three Rs” concept, aiming for the most resource-efficient solutions for any given material or product.

Reduce

To reduce, in its simplest form, means to use less of. For consumers, that usually means buying fewer brand-new items. But for companies, it’s a little different. To reduce entails using less material per item when possible and designing for recycling.

Ultimately, we need companies to use fewer unrecyclable materials. Fortunately, with advances in recycling, the range of materials that can be recycled has vastly increased, widening the variety of truly recyclable options. Companies should lean into these materials, especially for packaging and single-use items.

We also aim to reduce the production of raw petroleum plastics. When companies commit to materials that are produced from waste plastic through molecular recycling, we can greatly reduce our dependency on fossil-based feedstocks for new plastic production and create a collection process that assigns value to what was otherwise considered ‘waste,’ keeping it out of landfills or the environment.

In addition, companies should consider the growing consumer desire to consume less by investing in quality products that last longer. Companies need to design for durability and longevity and communicate these benefits.

But we won’t move quick enough if these efforts are exclusively voluntary. We’ve proven that already. We’ll move a lot faster when we put policies in place that commit to reducing production of new fossil-based plastics. The technology to move away from raw petroleum-based materials is here now and will only improve in efficiency and financial feasibility as demand grows and policy supports it. We need to make it a baseline through policy and regulation and remove restrictions around sustainable molecular recycling.

Reuse

Single use is no longer a luxury that our planet can afford. Reuse is all about functionality, usability and longevity of usefulness. And although there may be products that will only be used once in their current form — for instance, in healthcare or packaging — they don’t have to head to the landfill. Molecular recycling can help us move from single use to circular use for these items as well. With the right infrastructure and commitments from companies and governments as well as supportive education and messaging, we can reuse the material from single-use products infinitely.

Companies can commit to reuse by designing products to have replaceable parts or reusable pieces or by packaging in refillable containers. They’ll need to design convenient and economical systems so that consumers can easily return products and packaging to the value chain at the end of their usefulness, access repair parts or refill containers. Education is also needed to move the public from seeing materials as waste to seeing them as part of a more sustainable material manufacturing system.

Legislation plays an important role as well. A robust and easy-to-navigate credit system for circular design could incentivize creative solutions and provide resources for future production. Regulations around single-use packaging could make a huge impact on the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the environment and landfills.

For instance, in France, McDonalds is piloting a program that eliminates single-use serving ware for in-restaurant dining and serves their customers with reusable fry holders, drinkware and cutlery. The change was initiated by the French law banning single-use plastics, and customers are responding well, demonstrating that there are some spaces where the move from single-use plastics can be an easy transition and should be immediately adopted.

Recycle

To recycle means to put materials that are at the end of their useful life back into the system to create new products. Companies can commit to recycling in two ways: using recycled content in products and packaging and designing products to be recyclable. But we need system reform and consumers on board too.

Although we have recycling systems in place now, they will need to be adapted to support both mechanical and advanced recycling because a wider range of plastics and fibers can be accepted. Investment in better infrastructure and collection systems would empower both the mechanical and the advanced recycling system to collect more materials, keeping them out of landfills and returning them to the value chain. On top of that, consumers need the education and faith to support the expanding system.

Molecular recycling is not meant to replace mechanical recycling but instead help it fully address the plastic waste crisis. Together, they offer real hope for a more circular world. While mechanical is the most efficient recycling method right now, molecular recycling means plastic doesn’t have to be landfill bound. If it is recovered in the recycling system, all plastics — even currently hard-to-recycle plastics — will become inputs for new products and packaging. This can help us reduce our dependency on fossil-based feedstocks.

“Reduce, reuse, recycle” is an ethically sound foundation for material use, product design and life cycle management. We need companies to put the concept into practice. We need legislation that allows for innovation in advanced recycling and policy and funding for infrastructure that encourages implementation of strategic collection for reuse and recycling.

With strong legislative and corporate commitment, we can foster innovation around advanced recycling to make a more circular future for the materials industry. But “reduce, reuse, recycle” is only the beginning.

Keep reading to learn why material-to-material recycling is integral to creating a circular economy that creates value from material waste.

Originally published on 3M News Center

On March 12, 3M announced that William M. “Bill” Brown is appointed chief executive officer, effective May 1, 2024. He succeeds Michael Roman, who is appointed to the role of Executive Chairman of the 3M Board of Directors, also effective May 1, 2024.

“Bill’s strong track record as a CEO for a global technology company makes him the right leader for 3M,” said Roman. “He brings a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, innovation, and operational excellence to 3M. I look forward to working with him to build on our momentum in my new role as executive chairman.”

“I am excited for the opportunity to lead this iconic global company,” said Brown. “The company has made significant positive changes under Mike’s leadership, and I am looking forward to building on that progress as CEO as 3M continues to deliver for its customers, shareholders, employees, and communities around the globe.”

Brown, 61, is the former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of L3Harris Technologies, a global innovator in aerospace and defense technology solutions, where he served as chief executive officer and chairman, and then executive chair from June 2019 to June 2022. Brown previously served as chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Harris Corporation prior to its merger with L3 Technologies in 2019. He joined Harris Corporation in November 2011 as president and chief executive officer. Prior to Harris Corporation, Brown spent 14 years at United Technologies Corporation (UTC) serving in a variety of leadership roles.

Brown holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Villanova University, as well as an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is the former Chair of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Board of Governors and formerly a member of AIA’s Executive Committee.

Roman will continue to chair 3M’s Board of Directors and provide insights from his more than 35 years with 3M to the company’s strategic direction as executive chairman of the board. He has served as 3M’s CEO since July 2018.

ATLANTA, March 19, 2024 /3BL/ — Wesco International, a provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions, announced that it is expanding its partnership with Habitat for Humanity International.

This year, Wesco will contribute $300,000 to support worldwide projects including Habitat’s Home Equals five-year global advocacy campaign, as well as fund the construction of a home in Monte de Sion, Chiapas, Mexico. The home will be built with recycled materials and include energy efficient features including a biodigester, solar heating, bathrooms with a rainwater collector and a wood-saving stove. Additionally, Wesco will contribute $200,000 towards team builds in the United States and Canada and sponsorship of the 2024 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.

“We are proud to expand our partnership with Habitat for Humanity,” said John Engel, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wesco. “Wesco’s mission is to build, connect, power and protect our world and contributing to Habitat’s worldwide projects is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the communities where we live and work.”

Wesco and Habitat began their partnership in 2022 when the company donated $500,000 to the global housing nonprofit. Over the course of the partnership, the company’s work alongside Habitat has included a community renovations project in São Paulo, Brazil, a roof wind mitigation project in Orlando, Florida, and supporting projects in England, Mexico, and New Zealand. The company was also a sponsor of the 2023 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Charlotte, North Carolina. Last year, Wesco completed 100 home build projects in local communities in honor of its 100th anniversary.

“We are thrilled to have the continued support of Wesco and we are excited to see our partnership grow this year,” said Tolli Love, chief development officer, Habitat for Humanity International. “Currently, more than 1 billion people live in informal settlements and lack basic services, land tenure security and climate resilience. With Wesco’s support of Habitat’s Home Equals campaign, we will be able to further our efforts to create lasting change and ensure families have equitable access to adequate housing.”

About Habitat for Humanity 

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in south Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

About Wesco

Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500® company with more than $22 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry’s premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates nearly 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations. For more information visit Wesco.com.

Schneider Electric

The Semiconductor industry is a key enabler for nearly every device we use to travel, work, and entertain ourselves. It’s needed for every sustainability effort – smart grids, the transition to renewables, low carbon footprint logistics, and supply chains. Even scientific discoveries and energy efficiency measures in factories rely on it. These chips are everywhere, and our net zero success hinges on the chips that silently power our efforts. 

Yet the semiconductor industry also needs to recalibrate its environmental impact. In 2021, it used enough energy to power a city of 25 million for an entire year.

Consequently, in 2022, COP27 saw the creation of a Semiconductor Climate Consortium with 60 founding members pledging to reduce emissions to 0% by 2050. 
The initiative underscores the semiconductor industry’s vital role in meeting the planet’s sustainability targets. It’s a lofty but achievable goal.

By weaving sustainability into semiconductor-fabricated electrical network designs from the outset, and with the right strategic planning and early-stage implementation, the industry can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its chip manufacturing processes.

Complex production, resource-intensive supply chains

Semicon fabs are colossal consumers of water and energy. The giga-sized factories need increasingly massive energy supplies and significant water usage for cooling. In 2022, TSMC, the world’s largest chip manufacturer, consumed 97 million metric tons of water and 22 thousand gigawatt-hours – a significant portion of Taiwan’s total energy output. 

In addition, suppliers who provide the necessary materials for production also generate emissions (known as a company’s Scope 3 emissions). This adds considerably to the industry’s carbon footprint. All in all, producing today’s advanced 3nm chips is expected to consume nearly 8 billion kilowatt-hours annually. 

Given these high levels of consumption and the associated Scope 3 emissions, there is a pressing need for a strategic pivot that focuses on optimizing energy use and enhancing energy efficiency in Semicon electrical networks.

Embracing strategies that work

There are 4 key strategies that I believe can optimize electrical networks in Semicon factories: 

Distribution Lineup Optimization: This initial strategy lays the groundwork for a robust electrical network layout and improves operational efficiency. Begin by determining the appropriate starting point for energy inputs and optimizing transformer placements. These are based on load demands, cooling efficiency, and integration with smart grid technology. Then, ensure efficient voltage and current distribution. 

Your optimization strategy must remain agile to adapt to changing regulatory demands. These regulations often require new technology integration, design modifications, additional reporting, and advanced monitoring and control systems to support smart grid technologies. New safety or efficiency standards may even require different distribution lineup configurations. An agile optimization strategy ensures ongoing compliance and prepares the infrastructure for future smart grid developments. 
 Standardization: In substation designs, consistency and replicability of components simplify construction, reducing the risk of miswiring and streamlining maintenance. For example, a large Semicon fab has 300 MV substations, and we can standardize the designs of 250 of those. That’s a significant optimization of lead time, manufacturing efficiency, and energy usage. And it makes it more responsive to customers’ evolving needs and lowers total ownership costs. Replacement parts from suppliers are also more readily available or have much shorter lead times. 

Standardization also helps semiconductor manufacturers more easily comply with international or regional regulations. It helps simplify certification processes and regulations that may require evidence of reliable manufacturing practices and product stability. 
 Distributed Energy Resources (DERs): Integrating DERs – like microgrids consisting of solar panels, fuel cells, and battery storage – provides a clean and reliable energy source compared to traditional methods. Implementing microgrids significantly reduces carbon emissions and energy costs. This showcases the potential for broader adoption across the industry to improve resilience, optimize energy loads, and support sustainable operations. 

DERs can also be a robust response to regulatory changes that incentivize or mandate renewable energy and decrease carbon footprints. In fact, a significant advantage of distributed energy is that it can meet diverse regulatory environments. 
 Collaboration with Suppliers and Partners: Semiconductor facilities have complex electrical ecosystems. Optimizing the electrical network requires collaboration and engagement with expert partners – particularly those specializing in advanced energy management and automation solutions. 

These partnerships are essential to transforming production facilities into models of energy efficiency and sustainability by utilizing advanced IoT-enabled systems and cutting-edge technologies. Services provided by these partners, such as energy audits and the implementation of digital modeling architectures, play a crucial role. They drive down operational costs and carbon footprints, ensuring network reliability and efficiency. 

Beyond achieving sustainability goals, collaborations also pave the way for strategic ventures. These efforts can take the form of joint investments in research and development or focused lobbying to secure incentives under the CHIPS Act and influence future policy. 

The CHIPS Act is a pivotal legislative mandate in the United States that the semiconductor industry must navigate. With an ambitious goal to reduce energy consumption of microelectronics by 1000 times in the next two decades as a catalyzes innovation. Imagine reducing energy consumption by that much!

Charting the course for sustainable Semicon fabs from day one

Each of these strategies is more than just a standalone solution. They’re interconnected pieces that create optimized, resilient, and adaptable networks. Designing electrical networks strategically and making early engineering choices sets the stage for more resilient, efficient operations and responsible resource use. 

Because of the complexity of these projects, having an expert partner like Schneider Electric can be critical to embodying these strategies. Expert partners can use their deep industry knowledge to guide your decision-making with these strategies. They can also ensure continuous improvement and long-term support well beyond the initial construction of your facilities.

To deepen your understanding and take practical steps towards a more sustainable practice, download our Semiconductors Reference Guide for insights on ten critical business challenges impacting this industry and the offers and solutions needed to overcome them.