BLACK & VEATCH URGES ASIA PACIFIC TO RAPIDLY SCALE LOW-CARBON INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DECARBONISATION

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical infrastructure solutions, has prompted Asia Pacific to rapidly identify and adopt the next generation of low-carbon and scalable infrastructure to accelerate its decarbonisation progress.

The next stage of renewable energy and alternative fuel development to achieve lower carbon emissions is complex. Project sites will be larger and more challenging, with many sites require connecting renewable energy resources in remote areas to the grid.

“Nevertheless, ample opportunities exist in the Asia Pacific to integrate a mix of different generation, transmission, and distribution technologies at the right price point and at the right time to achieve commercial and environmental success.

“Black & Veatch has been at the forefront of building critical energy infrastructure for several decades and is committed to supporting the rising energy needs in Asia Pacific with low and no-carbon energy sources,” said Black & Veatch President, Asia Pacific and India, Narsingh Chaudhary in a statement.

As Asia Pacific economies transition from a carbon-based economy to an electron- and molecule-based one, the region must find the right energy mix for near-term requirements and long-term change.

Hence, liquefied natural gas (LNG) can support the shift from coal and the additional energy mix needed to fuel economic growth in developing markets.

Meanwhile, energy storage technologies, such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH), can enhance energy security by balancing sudden and significant drops in power production from variable renewable energy resources to improve grid reliability and stability.

In the longer term, hydrogen has the potential to provide seasonal energy storage and serve as the missing link for utilities, commercial businesses, and industries seeking to operate sustainably.

Better-planned and designed transmission systems, including interconnection lines and substations, as well as switching facilities, will help Asia Pacific address voltage and frequency variability and grid code requirements across the grid.

Additionally, Chaudhary will present global best practices for scaling low-carbon technologies in carbon reduction and share his insights on the role of gas and LNG as a transition fuel at Future Energy Asia 2024 taking place from May 15 to 17, in Bangkok, Thailand.

-- BERNAMA

INVNT Group, MSM Advance Offerings, Solutions In Motorsports With Strategic Appointment

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- INVNT GROUP and Media & Sport Management (MSM) enhanced service offerings and commercial solutions tailored for talent and brands within the booming motorsports industry with strategic leadership appointment.

The partnership brings the appointment of Roc Nation music and entertainment veteran, Luca Zanello, as INVNT GROUP Senior Vice President of Content Strategy, fortifying the global suite of award-winning capabilities and integrated services within the motorsports.

According to a statement, Zanello is reporting to INVNT GROUP President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and INVNT.ATOM CEO, Scott Cullather.

“Our evolving collaboration with MSM, and appointment of Luca, places us at the forefront, allowing us to deliver pioneering, bespoke solutions to the motorsports industry,” said Cullather.

Meanwhile, MSM Founder and CEO, Enrico Zanarini said: “With MSM’s deep history in the motorsports industry, and INVNT GROUP's storytelling expertise, we are poised to deliver exciting and unexpected engagement programmes that resonate deeply with fans and stakeholders alike.”

The partnership aims to deliver strategies within the motorsport domain, leveraging both INVNT GROUP and MSM’s deep rooted motorsports network and industry expertise.

This strategic allegiance is a significant milestone in the evolution of motorsport marketing and the overall industry, promising next-generation strategies and enhanced engagement for clients, brands, partners, and audiences globally.

Over four decades, MSM has built standout relationships between brands, drivers, teams, and championships at the pinnacle of motorsport, including sponsorships, hospitality, and events.

INVNT GROUP, the global brand storytelling agency portfolio, was named Best Global Media Agency at the 2023 Automotive Marcomm Awards by Autocar, for groundbreaking campaigns with Lamborghini, Formula E, General Motors, Lotus and Rolls Royce, among others.

-- BERNAMA

HITACHI ENERGY TO PROVIDE HVDC TECHNOLOGIES FOR US’ LARGEST TRANSMISSION PROJECT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader, has entered into a multi-year agreement with Pattern Energy to support its high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technologies for the SunZia Transmission Project.

According to a statement, the link will connect the SunZia Wind project in New Mexico to Arizona and Western states in the United States (US) which will be one of the world’s largest transmission links delivering renewable energy.

“We are proud to be selected once again to provide our unique service expertise to keep the important SunZia link operating at maximum efficiency, performance, and reliability.

“With our service solutions, we are building a partnership ecosystem to ensure continued support to the HVDC link throughout its lifetime, delivering cutting edge digital service with sustainability and customer-value at its core,” said Hitachi Energy global head of the HVDC business, Andreas Berthou.

Meanwhile, Pattern Energy vice president of Operational Excellence, Paul Haberlein said Hitachi Energy was selected as its partner to engineer, manufacture and maintain the HVDC converter stations after they enter operation.

The long-term agreement will provide service solutions for the SunZia Transmission HVDC link, currently under construction, owned by Pattern Energy, one of the world’s largest privately-owned developers and operators of renewable energy and transmission projects.

Hitachi Energy’s HVDC Light technology will efficiently transfer and integrate huge volumes of wind power over 885 kilometres into the regional power grid, which will significantly increase the availability of sustainable energy for homes and businesses throughout the region when it enters operation, which is expected in 2025.

Once complete, SunZia Wind will have a total power capacity of 3,515-megawatt (MW), enough clean, renewable electricity to provide power to approximately three million Americans.

The HVDC link will efficiently transmit up to 3,000 MW of this power west to Arizona. The HVDC Light system will be the largest voltage source converter (VSC) installation in the US, one of the largest worldwide, and one of the country’s longest HVDC connections.

Service for an HVDC system includes a wide range of activities and support, including scheduled maintenance, cyber services, on-site engineering support and life cycle assessment of the HVDC Light stations.

-- BERNAMA

MOGAS Industries Mourns Loss Of Its Chairman And Founder

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- MOGAS Industries Inc has announced the passing of its chairman and founder, Vincent Louis Mogas on May 2 in Houston, Texas.

The family of Mogas, the company’s executive leadership team and its employees worldwide are saddened over the passing of this amazing man, whose leadership was only matched by his passion and fervour for life and serving others.

According to a statement, MOGAS Industries was formed in May 1973 when Mogas purchased a small machine shop in Houston and soon acquired the rights to service and manufacture ball valves from Cameron Iron Works.

Under his leadership, the company studied valve failures and established a research and development (R&D) department that customised valves for specific applications.

Since 2000, MOGAS has established sales and service offices in Australia, China, Europe, Canada, South America, Middle East and India.

While Mogas received many company awards, including The Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies, multiple Best Companies to Work For in Texas, vendor excellence, and Texas Family Large Business of the Year Finalist, he was most proud of his and his family's philanthropy, and of employee fund raising and volunteerism contributions.

MOGAS Industries is the most trusted severe service technology company offering severe service valves, surface engineering/coating, modular process units, and aftermarket support.

-- BERNAMA

ATMECS GLOBAL REDEFINES AI/ML LANDSCAPE VIA INVOLVEMENT AS NVIDIA'S SOLUTION ADVISOR CONSULTANT

 

Lori Banas-Chief AI/ML Officer (Photo: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- ATMECS Global, renowned for its prowess in digital transformation and engineering solutions, announced it has joined the NVIDIA Partner Network as a Solution Advisor Consultant.

The milestone marks a pivotal step in ATMECS’s journey to redefine the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) landscape, amplifying its commitment to innovation and excellence in delivering next-generation AI solutions.

ATMECS Chief Executive Officer, Gayathri Malolan in a statement said this collaboration with NVIDIA not only enhanced the company’s value proposition but also served as a catalyst for nurturing and expanding its talent pool, aligning with its vision for growth.

Meanwhile, its Chief AI/ML Officer, Lori Banas said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with NVIDIA, which reflects our dedication to harnessing the transformative power of AI and ML.

“We aim to unlock new possibilities and deliver cutting-edge AI solutions that drive business transformation and create a competitive edge for our clients.”

The collaboration with NVIDIA equips ATMECS with access to subject-matter experts and an extensive array of AI and ML technologies, including state-of-the-art graphics processing units (GPUs), high-speed networking, and comprehensive software platforms.

This portfolio of NVIDIA tools and expertise empowers ATMECS to architect and implement advanced AI-powered solutions that cater to a broad spectrum of use cases across industries, ranging from media and entertainment to healthcare, finance, retail, and manufacturing.

ATMECS will support customers in building and deploying a broad range of NVIDIA-powered solutions. With AI, ATMECS’s clients can transform how they operate and innovate, providing an unprecedented edge in the competitive AI marketplace.

By integrating cutting-edge NVIDIA technologies and ATMECS's wide expertise in AI and digital transformation, the collaboration is poised to deliver solutions that not only advance business processes but also create substantial value for clients.

This announcement showcases ATMECS's resolve to drive business transformation and deliver exceptional value through AI, setting new industry standards and driving a wave of technological excellence and innovation that benefits its clients and their broader industries.

-- BERNAMA

KFSH&RC IS TOP HEALTHCARE INSTITUTION IN SAUDI ARABIA, MIDDLE EAST

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has led the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, ranking as the most valuable healthcare brand in these regions for the second successive year.

According to the 2024 Brand Finance reports, it was ranked ninth in Saudi Arabia and 28th in the Middle East, in addition to also distinguishes itself as the only hospital worldwide to be listed among its country's top 10 most valuable brands.

KFSH&RC Chief Corporate Communications & Marketing Officer, Muhannad Kadi said the hospital's position among the top 10 most valuable brands in Saudi Arabia not only highlights its effectiveness but also the positive impact of the ongoing transformations within the Kingdom’s healthcare sector.

“This accomplishment underscores the hospital’s dedication to achieving the highest quality standards and providing outstanding healthcare, as well as the significant value it delivers to its beneficiaries,” he said in a statement.

The Brand Finance Report shows that KFSH&RC brand value increased by 31 per cent, exceeding 5.6 billion Saudi Riyals, equivalent to US$1.5 billion, which is the result of the hospital's unwavering commitment to incorporating the latest medical technologies and treatments as well as providing specialised medical care that adheres to the latest international standards. (US$1=RM4.73)

Over the past year, KFSH&RC has achieved several notable milestones that have significantly contributed to its brand strength and reputation, which include conducting four ground-breaking experiments in space medicine, performing the world's first fully robotic liver transplant, and launching a rapid whole genome sequencing analysis service available to all beneficiaries.

Furthermore, KFSH&RC celebrated the successful treatment of 100 T-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia patients, a testament to its advanced medical capabilities and dedication to patient care.

In line with Saudi Vision 2030 and its transformation programmes, which aim to enhance the Kingdom's global position and establish it as a healthcare hub, KFSH&RC has been ranked as the top Academic Medical Centre in the Middle East and Africa.

Additionally, it also secured the 20th spot globally for 2023 and 2024 by Brand Finance's Global Top 250 Hospitals report, while Newsweek Magazine has classified it as one of the top 250 Best Hospitals in the World.

-- BERNAMA

NPCI INTERNATIONAL TO SUPPORT NAMIBIA DEPLOY UPI-LIKE PAYMENT SYSTEM

Mr. Johannes !Gawaxab, Hon'ble Governor of the Bank of Namibia (left) and Mr. Ritesh Shukla, CEO, NPCI International (Photo: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has signed an agreement with the Bank of Namibia (BoN) to support them in developing an instant payment system like Unified Payment Interface (UPI) for Namibia.

“We are proud to join hands with Bank of Namibia to enable the deployment of UPI-like real-time payments system in Namibia for the Digital Public Good of its citizens. We are excited about this partnership, which will enable Namibian citizens to transact instantly leveraging technology and experiences from India's UPI.

“By enabling this technology, the country will gain sovereignty in the digital payments landscape and stand to benefit from enhanced payment interoperability and improved financial access for underserved populations,” said NPCI International Chief Executive Officer, Ritesh Shukla in a statement.

Meanwhile, Bank of Namibia Governor, Johannes !Gawaxab said: “This system aims to connect individuals, businesses, and government entities across Namibia, including the payment of social grants, enabling more efficient economic interactions and supporting the growth of digital entrepreneurship.”

This collaboration marks a strategic leap towards strengthening Namibia’s financial infrastructure and fostering inclusive economic growth, in addition to helping the country modernise its financial ecosystem, by leveraging technology and experiences from India’s UPI.

This includes improving accessibility, affordability, connectivity with both domestic and international payment networks, and interoperability.

This strategic partnership aims to enhance digital financial services and bolster real-time Person-to-Person (P2P) and Merchant payment transactions (P2M) in the African nation. The robust security features inherent in the UPI platform not only promise to instil confidence among users and stakeholders but also ensure scalability for future technological advancements and market demands.

Furthermore, through this collaboration, BoN will gain access to best-in-class technology and insights from NIPL, enabling the creation of a similar platform in Namibia for the digital welfare of its citizens.

Once live, the platform will facilitate digital transactions in Namibia, driving financial inclusion and reducing cash dependency by catering to underserved populations, offering essential and affordable financial services to all, with a particular focus on rural and informal sectors.

-- BERNAMA