Daily Archives: May 6, 2022

Three Pilot Programs Will Shape How Electric Vehicles Can Help Power the Grid and Benefit Customers

OAKLAND, Calif., May 05, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced it will develop three new pilot programs to test how bidirectional electric vehicles (EVs) and chargers can provide power to the electric grid and other benefits to customers.

PG&E will test bidirectional charging technology in a variety of settings, including in homes, businesses and with local microgrids in select high fire-threat districts (HFTDs). The pilots will test the ability for the EV to send power back to the grid and provide power to customers during an outage. PG&E expects its findings will help determine how to maximize the cost-effectiveness of bidirectional charging technology in providing a variety of customer and grid services.

The new pilots are separate and in addition to the collaborations announced in March with both General Motors and Ford Motor Company, and will help to inform the Department of Energy Memorandum of Understanding that PG&E and a collaboration of industry, government and labor leaders signed in April focused on accelerating "vehicle-to-everything" technologies.

Each of the new pilot programs offers a financial incentive for participating customers and additional benefits for those in disadvantaged communities. All three are expected to be available to customers in 2022 and 2023 and continue until incentives run out. PG&E expects customers will be able to enroll in the home and business pilots in late summer 2022. More information will be available on pge.com at a later date.

"As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, bidirectional charging technology has huge potential for supporting our customers and the electric grid broadly. Were excited to launch these new pilots, which will add to our existing work testing and demonstrating the possibility of this technology," said Jason Glickman, PG&Es Executive Vice President, Engineering, Planning & Strategy.

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PG&Es Bidirectional Charging Pilot Programs

Bidirectional charging technology allows EVs to both take power from the grid, or from a customers solar system, and send it back to the grid. Its one example of Vehicle-Grid Integration (VGI), an umbrella term for the optimized interaction of EVs with the electric grid by adjusting the time, power level or location of the EVs' charging or discharging.

While EVs already provide customers with cleaner air and reduced maintenance costs, among other benefits, testing emerging technologies to optimize EV integration with the electric grid could provide further value to all PG&E customers.

The 400,000 EVs registered in PG&Es service area along with the quickly growing number of EVs across California represent a flexible grid resource, which could offer cost savings associated with operating and maintaining the grid as well as for customers who own an EV or are a part of a bidirectional EV-enabled community microgrid. Additionally, using EV batteries for power could reduce the need to build new standalone energy storage systems.

More about the approved pilot programs:

Through the pilot with residential customers, PG&E will work with automakers and EV charging suppliers to explore how light-duty, passenger EVs at single-family homes can help customers and the electric grid in various ways. These include providing backup power to the home if the power is out, optimizing EV charging and discharging to help the grid integrate more renewable resources, and aligning EV charging and discharging with the real-time cost of energy procurement. This pilot will be open to up to 1,000 residential customers who will receive at least $2,500 for enrolling, and up to an additional $2,175 depending on their participation.

The pilot with business customers will explore how medium- and heavy-duty and possibly light-duty EVs at commercial facilities could help customers and the electric grid in various ways. These include providing backup power to the building if the power is out, optimizing EV charging and discharging to support the deferral of distribution grid upgrades, and aligning EV charging and discharging with the real-time cost of energy procurement. This pilot will be open to approximately 200 business customers who will receive at least $2,500 for enrolling, and up to an additional $3,625 depending on their participation.

The microgrid pilot will explore how EVsboth light-duty and medium- to heavy-dutyplugged into community microgrids can support community resiliency during Public Safety Power Shutoff events. Customers will be able to discharge their EVs to the community microgrid to support temporary power or charge from the microgrid if there is excess power. Following initial lab testing, this pilot will be open to up to 200 customers with EVs who are located in HFTD locations that contain compatible microgrids used during Public Safety Power Shutoff events. Customers will receive at least $2,500 for enrolling, and up to an additional $3,750 depending on their participation.

Further information can be found within todays California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) resolution approving the three pilots.

About PG&E

PG&E, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

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PG&E to Launch New Pilots Studying Electric Vehicle Bidirectional Charging Technology at Homes, Businesses and with Microgrids - Yahoo Finance

RPM also allows doctors to have a depth of knowledge about their patients they just cant get in a teleconference. In Lexington, Kentucky, before implementing RPM, patients at Kentucky Cardiology were writing down their blood pressure and bringing pieces of paper to the office to discuss with the doctor during appointments. After switching to RPM, Optimize Health expanded the number of hypertensive patients being treated through Kentucky Cardiology by 500 percent in the first three months. Monitoring, Haedrich says, means patients have an ongoing conversation with a doctor.

To see how more intensive medical care can happen at home, a great place to start is kidney dialysis. Nieltje Gedney, executive director of Home Dialyzors United, says the move from clinic to home care is all back to the future. In 1930, 40 percent of health care was delivered in the home. Over time, it moved to hospitals, clinics, physicians offices and emergency departments.

Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis began as a form of treatment for kidney disease in the 1940s. At first, treatment in the home [by doctors] was the only method that was permitted, Gedney says. Clinics started popping up in the 80s, and dialysis moved to those settings. In 2005, a consumer home dialysis machine, made by NxStage, was cleared for the market by the FDA. But, Gedney says, it was slow to take off. Today, despite widespread home-dialysis capability, more than 85 percent of Medicare-covered patients in the U.S. with end-stage renal disease travel to a dialysis center for treatment three times a week, according to CMS.

Gedney says she is tracking eight new devices in the pipeline that will provide even better home dialysis, but adds that one problem is a lack of infrastructure trained personnel, transportation and willing patients.

While special devices, remote monitoring and telehealth are becoming a routine part of care, many patients still dont think talking to a screen (or a voice assistant) is a satisfying experience. According to one October 2021 study spearheaded by NPR, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 64 percent of households using telehealth said they would have preferred an in-person visit.

They may be in luck. Part of the trend in at-home care includes medical professionals on your doorstep. Since 2013, Landmark Health, based in Huntington Beach, California, has been sending medical teams to make house calls. Landmark contracts with health insurance plans mostly Medicare Advantage plans, says Carissa Foley, a nurse practitioner and advanced practice clinician supervisor. For most people, it is a free program; were an adjunct to primary care with seven-day-a-week urgent visits, if a person needs it. Theres nothing like seeing patients at home.

With all these efforts, a key goal is to keep people out of the hospital. With our aging baby boomers, were going to run out of space, so this has to happen. And people want it to happen, says Michael Maniaci, M.D., physician leader for Mayo Clinics Advanced Care at Home program. If we can do it safely, and with high quality to provide the best experience, its how the medical community and the future of health care survive in this country.

Ann Oldenburg, a formerUSA Todayreporter, is assistant director of Georgetown Universitys journalism program. She has a masters degree from Georgetowns Aging & Health program.

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Caregiving Technology and Improved Quality of Life - AARP

The freight business process outsourcer is recognized for solving specific challenges, improving processes, and creating a ripple effect of efficiencies across the entire value chain.

EVERGREEN, Colo. , May 5, 2022 /CNW/ -- For the second year in a row, freight-focused global business process outsourcing company DDC FPO has been recognized by Inbound Logistics magazine as one of the top 100 technology companies that support and enable logistics excellence.

Every April, Inbound Logistics editors recognize 100 technology companies that support and enable logistics excellence. Using questionnaires, phone calls, personal interviews, and other research, Inbound Logistics selects the Top 100 Logistics Technology Providers who are leading the way to efficiency for 2023.

Editors seek to match readers' fast-changing needs to the capabilities of those companies selected. All companies selected reflect leadership by answering Inbound Logistics readers' needs for simplicity, flexible pricing, ROI, and frictionless implementation.

"Top 100 Logistics Technology Providers such as DDC FPO help customers navigate the complexities of global trade and expansion," says Felecia Stratton, Editor of Inbound Logistics. "DDC FPO provides the technology solutions our readers need to successfully manage their global enterprises, minimize disruption damage, and navigate changing trade currents. Accordingly, we're proud to honor DDC FPO for their innovative solutions, which empower global logistics and supply chain excellence."

As a trusted partner to the transportation sector for over 17 years, strategic innovation has played a fundamental role in the evolution of DDC's service delivery and solution development.

DDC Intelligence, the company's AI-powered, full-stack SaaS billing solution, transformed accounts receivables for motor carriers by bringing machine-learning into the bill of lading (BOL) process.

"At DDC, we invest in technological innovation that will give our clients a competitive advantage," says Chad Crotty, DDC's Vice President of Sales.

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Earlier this year, the company released DDC Sync, an enterprise application that combines a native Android app with automated, intelligent OCR mobile capture and a robust web portal to bring the data, people, and processes of freight operations into harmony.

DDC Sync empowers motor carriers to leverage their BOL data to its full potential right from the first mile. Benefits include streamlined back office operations, reduced human error, increased driver retention, and margin growth.

"On average, DDC Sync allows for a six-hour head start on visibility per load," says Richard Greening, DDC's Global Technical Director. "With the ability to access critical data almost immediately, carriers can make informed decisions faster."

To learn more about DDC Intelligence, DDC Sync, and the company's other tech-enabled services and solutions, visit: https://www.ddcfpo.com/services.

The Top 100 Logistics Technology Providers list appears in all the April 2022 Inbound Logistics magazine editions. You can read it online here.

About Inbound Logistics Inbound Logistics is the pioneering magazine empowering demand-driven enterprises. IL's educational mission is to guide businesses to efficiently manage logistics, reduce and speed inventory, and neutralize transportation cost increases by aligning supply to demand and adjusting enterprise functions to support that paradigm shift. More information about demand-driven logistics practices is available at http://www.inboundlogistics.com.

About DDC FPODDC FPO is a strategic business process outsourcing (BPO) partner for today's leading transportation and logistics providers that enables clients to focus on core competencies and achieve their goals. As the freight-focused member company of The DDC Group a worldwide network of BPO companies DDC FPO is able to serve clients in over 30 languages across North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Solutions include data-based, goal-driven front- and back-office programs such as Freight Billing, Customs Brokerage Processing, Customer Care, and IT Outsourcing, among others. To learn more, contact DDC today.

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Inbound Logistics' Top 100 Technology Providers for Transportation: DDC FPO Named for Second Consecutive Year - Yahoo Finance

Auburn University recently participated in the BIO Alabama conference at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook, showcasing five of its biotechnology research developments.

BIO Alabama is the trade organization for the states biosciences industry. This years eventthe first meeting following a six-year hiatus due in part to the COVID-19 pandemicfeatured approximately 200 scientists and their research developments April 25-26.

Melinda Richter, global head of Innovation at Johnson & Johnson, served as keynote speaker under this years theme, Building Alabamas Biohorizons, focusing on the future of the industrys participation in Alabamas innovation economy.

Auburns presentations included:

Vivosphere cell encapsulation technology platform for drug development and discovery (Elizabeth Lipke; presented by co-inventor Yuan Tian) This is a 3D cell encapsulation method and device for more accurate and cost-effective drug screening, bioinks and regenerative medicine.

Anti-cancer immunotherapy targeting CD47 (James Gillespie, joint project with VCOM) Development of an anticancer treatment that could replace immunomodulatory therapies targeting CD47.

Computational tool for speeding discovery of natural beneficial compounds (Angela Calderon and Cheryl Seals; presented by Kabre Heck and Muhammad Gulfam) A collaborative project about an automated method to analyze mass spectrometry data to identify potential bioactive compounds in complex mixtures.

Engineered bacteria for producing biofuels and other compounds (Yi Wang) Engineering of bacteria to express record levels of butanol for biofuel or other industrial applications or to express record levels of butyl acetate for use in foods, consumer goods or industrial processes.

Computationally designed compounds for treating Alzheimers disease (Raj Amin; presented by Ian Steinke and Fajar Wibowo) A custom-designed therapeutic compound for treating Alzheimers without the side effects seen with other drugs in this class.

Gene therapy vectors for therapeutic treatment of neurological disease (Doug Martin) Engineered AAV vectors for treating neurological diseases such as rabies.

Medical device for improving diagnosis and monitoring of neuropathy in diabetic patients (Michael Zabala and Thomas Burch; presented by co-inventor Kenny Brock, VCOM) A medical device for accurately monitoring and measuring loss of feeling in diabetic patients. (Jon Commander is also a co-inventor and is with VCOM.)

BIO Alabama is the leading advocate for Alabama's bioeconomy. The organization represents the state on a national and international stage, promoting the intellectual and innovative capital to make Alabama a premier place to invest, start and grow in bioscience.

Alabamas bioscience industry provides a $7.3 billion impact on the states economy, according to BIO Alabama data. Auburn has participated in BIO Alabama events for a number of years.

"As presenting sponsor for this years BIO Alabama conference, Auburn University had an important opportunity to showcase some of our latest technologies during a reverse-pitch session to industry, said Bill Dean, executive director of the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation.

Auburns participation in events like the BIO Alabama conference speaks to our role in growing the regions bioeconomy and demonstrates our commitment to the bio-sector in the form of industry collaboration and partnerships that will advance research and impact quality of life throughout the state.

(Written by Mitch Emmons)

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Auburn showcases variety of university-developed technologies at BIO Alabama conference - Office of Communications and Marketing

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Digital Intelligence Systems, LLC (DISYS), a global technology services and staffing firm, announced the award of a Deliverables-Based Information Technology Contract (DBITS: DIR-CPO-5009) by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR).

The two-year contract commenced February 22, 2022, and includes two optional one-year renewals.

The DBITS award will be directly managed by DISYS D2M offices in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston, Texas and supported by DISYS 45 offices across the U.S. DISYS services under the terms of this contract include deliverables-based IT services specific to application development, enterprise resource planning (ERP), maintenance support, and technology migrations, upgrades and transformation for DIR customers. Eligible customers include:

This is DISYS second contract with DIR. In December 2020, DISYS entered into an Information Technology Staff Augmentation Contract (ITSAC) with the agency.

Were delighted to continue our partnership with DIR. This second award is a fantastic byproduct of the winning collaboration and the best-in-class solutions we are able to deliver. Were looking forward to continuing to build on this momentum and expand DISYS solutions for State, Local and Education organizations in the State of Texas even further, said Mahfuz Ahmed, DISYS CEO.

About Digital Intelligence Systems, LLC (DISYS)

Digital Intelligence Systems, LLC (DISYS) is a global managed services and staffing firm with 57 offices worldwide. DISYS vision is to be a global business partner, delivering the highest quality and most consistent services at the best value to clients worldwide. For more information about DISYS, visit http://www.disys.com.

About D2M

For more than 25 years, D2M, as part of DISYS, has delivered measurable results for its enterprise and quasi-government clients by building custom implementations to meet clients individual IT needs. In conjunction with product innovators and thought leaders, D2M continues to surpass the boundaries of technology and objective-based innovation. For more information about D2M, visit http://www.d2mservices.com.

About Department of Information Resources (DIR)

Through its Cooperative Contracts Program, DIR assists state agencies and local governments (Customers) with cost-effective acquisition of their information resources by negotiating, managing, and administering contracts with information technology providers. For more information regarding the Cooperative Contracts Program, please visit the DIR website at https://dir.texas.gov/cooperative-contracts.

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DISYS is Awarded Deliverables-Based Information Technology Contract (DBITS: DIR-CPO-5009) by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) -...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MTV Entertainment Group (MTVE) today announced that leading media and technology companies including the Ad Council, BET, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Pinterest, Snapchat, Spotify, them, Upworthy, TelevisaUnivision, WME, Yahoo, YouTube, and Zoom will participate in the first-of-its-kind Mental Health Youth Action Forum in Washington, D.C. on May 18.

The participating companies have committed to co-develop and/or amplify the work of the previously announced 30 young mental health content creators and activists selected to develop new creative mental health campaigns by young people, for young people. (Link to participant bios)

Brianna Cayo Cotter, SVP of Social Impact for MTV Entertainment Group:"We are so grateful to our partners in entertainment, media, and tech who have agreed to join us at the Mental Health Youth Action Forum to learn from the insights of these amazing young creators and activists. These young people's ideas are critical to helping us achieve meaningful solutions, and it is thanks in part to the collaboration of our partners that their voices are going to be able to be heard."

Ben Silbermann, CEO of Pinterest: It is clearer than ever that a persons emotional health is as important as their physical health. That is why Pinterest is working to build a corner of the Internet that is inspiring and nourishing. Our partnership with MTV will help us deliver on our mission by elevating the voices of young creators who support emotional wellbeing across the world. We could not be more excited about the future we are going to build together.

Joanna Lambert, GM & President of Yahoo: "We are thrilled to be partnering with MTV to support such an important initiative around the topic of mental health, an issue that our Yahoo audience cares so deeply about. At Yahoo, we remain committed to using our platform to elevate the voices of young creators and diverse perspectives."

Lucia Knell, VP of Upworthy: "At Upworthy we pride ourselves on using our platform to democratize access to mental health information. We're beyond excited to partner with MTV on this initiative to bring young people into the fold, not just to have a conversation about mental health, but to create a deeply supportive and authentic COMMUNITY around it.

Tiffany Ward, CAA Board Member: We know that storytelling can influence attitudes and broaden perspectives. Eliminating the stigma around mental health is vital, particularly for younger, diverse communities who have been incredibly impacted by recent global concerns. We are proud to be a partner in this initiative, using our resources to support the content creators who are working to drive conversation around essential public health campaigns.

Sofia Gross, Head of Policy Partnerships and Social Impact at Snapchat: "Snap is proud to partner with the first-ever Mental Health Youth Action Forum. Every day, Snap seeks to expand our mental health efforts and in-app resources to empower Snapchatters to take care of their wellbeing, and to support their friends who may be dealing with mental health challenges. We're honored to be a part of this convening to further empower young people to take action towards their mental health."

Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council: Breaking down barriers and equipping Americans of all ages with the resources and tools to address their personal mental health is a focal point of the Ad Councils social impact efforts. Were honored to collaborate with MTV Entertainment and to amplify the action-oriented messages from the upcoming Mental Health Youth Action Forum.

Dr. Garth Graham, Director and Global Head of YouTube Health: "Mental health is a critical part of our mission at YouTube Health we want you to be able to find the information you need when you need it, whether that is immediate support in a crisis, educational content about your condition, or long-term coping strategies and personal stories of others. We're proud to be a part of the first-ever Mental Health Youth Action Forum, and look forward to connecting with young creators and advocates."

Roxana Shirkhoda, Head of Social Impact at Zoom: Mental health is a critical issue facing todays global society, which is why Zoom Cares made it a top priority to fund millions of dollars to nonprofits advancing accessible mental health resources, specifically for BIPOC, low-income, and LGBTQ+ young people. These 30 mental health advocates part of the Mental Health Youth Action Forum are a prime example of how vital it is to support those closest to the problem who know what their communities need to thrive.

Following a six-week virtual creative development program, the young leaders will present their ideas at a White House event to help inform future creative public health campaigns related to mental health. Senior officials from the Biden-Harris Administration, including from the Department of Health and Human Services, are expected to speak at the Forum. The evening before the Forum, Pinterest will help kickoff activities with an interactive experience at The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum to inspire Forum participants and prompt dialogue and action around mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The ideas presented by the participants will be the basis for creative content such as PSAs, podcasts, and digital art focused on improving the mental health of young people from historically marginalized communities like BIPOC and LGBTQ+. Campaigns will be launched nationwide before the end of the year in collaboration with select media, entertainment and technology brands that will amplify and/or co-develop the creative ideas coming out of the Forum.

For more information on the Forum and participants, go here.

Leveraging its decades-long history of sparking conversations about mental health, in April 2021 MTV Entertainment Group launched Mental Health is Health, a multi-year initiative to tackle the nations growing health crisis by harnessing the power of storytelling to normalize mental health conversations and inspire action. MTVE convened a coalition of entertainment media companies and mental health experts for the Better Together Mental Health Storytelling Summit and unveiled The Mental Health Media Guide, a first-of-its-kind comprehensive resource for content creators designed to elevate storytelling opportunities that can change the narrative on mental health. Building on its legacy of bringing companies and organizations together to create social change, MTVE spearheaded Mental Health Action Day, an open-source global movement to shift culture from awareness to action. More than 1,400 organizations, brands, government agencies and cultural leaders participated in the inaugural event, which focused on driving people to get the mental health support they need. This years Mental Health Action Day will be held on May 19, 2022.

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MTV Entertainment brings together leading entertainment, technology and media brands to join first-ever Mental Health Youth Action Forum on May 18 in...