Day: May 30, 2023

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Chris McCloskey Joins Duck Creek as Chief Operating Officer

Boston, May 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies, the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of Property and Casualty (P&C) and general insurance, today announces the addition of Chris McCloskey to its leadership team as Chief Operating Officer. McCloskey will be instrumental in driving key strategy, operational and transformation initiatives across the entire business, particularly within our customer and professional services organizations.

McCloskey joins Duck Creek from Datto, where he was most recently Chief Customer Officer for the cybersecurity and business continuity company. At Datto, McCloskey was responsible for building a new customer success organization that significantly improved technical implementation, customer satisfaction and retention, and partner health. Before joining Datto, McCloskey grew through sales and customer-facing leadership roles to become COO, Americas at London-based Finastra, a multi-billion-dollar financial services software company.

“We are delighted to welcome Chris to Duck Creek’s leadership team; he will help us continue to better focus on increasing lifetime value and enable our customers to be more successful,” said Mike Jackowski, CEO of Duck Creek. “Chris is incredibly accomplished in growing and leading large teams through transformation, and having him as a strategic customer-facing leader is the perfect match to advance our vision.”

McCloskey Chris earned his MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University and his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Gettysburg College.

About Duck Creek Technologies

Duck Creek Technologies is the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and Twitter.

Carley Bunch
Duck Creek Technologies
2019626091
carley.bunch@duckcreek.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8847565

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Hitachi Energy signs agreements with ENOWA and Saudi Electricity Company to design and develop the first phase of visionary NEOM region transmission system

Collaboration to accelerate the development of NEOM in Saudi Arabia with up to 9 gigawatts of power transmission capacity

Zurich, Switzerland, May 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader advancing a sustainable energy future for all, has signed agreements under the supervision and management of the Ministry of Energy with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and with ENOWA. The agreements include the supply of three high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems to end customer ENOWA, the utility company for NEOM in Northwest Saudi Arabia. Built with sustainability in mind, NEOM is among Saudi Arabia’s Giga-Projects1 reshaping the future of development. The three HVDC links will have a total power capacity of up to 9 gigawatts (GW).

The agreements include an order from ENOWA’s engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) partner, the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) awarded to Hitachi Energy and its consortium partner, Saudi Services for Electro Mechanical Works (SSEM), to provide one of the world’s first 3 GW, 525 kilovolt (kV) HVDC Light® transmission system connecting Oxagon, NEOM’s regional development, with the larger Yanbu area more than 650 kilometers away in Western Saudi Arabia.

Hitachi Energy’s scope of supply includes design, engineering, procurement of HVDC technology and commissioning of the HVDC Light converter stations. Whilst SSEM – a leading Saudi EPC specialized in power, water and industrial projects – will design and supply the AC equipment portion and perform the construction and the installation. The converter stations convert the power from AC to DC then back to AC for integration into the receiving grid. The converters will be sourced by and supplied to Saudi Electricity Company, who were contracted in 2022 by ENOWA to act as their EPCM to build this first HVDC system for NEOM.

Further to this, Hitachi Energy and ENOWA have signed an early works and capacity reservation agreement for two additional HVDC projects, each rated up to 3 GW. Under this agreement, both companies commit to having the resources and capacity necessary to implement these two HVDC systems. As part of a new scalable and modular regional network design that is targeted to seamlessly integrate future renewables and energy storage technologies in the NEOM Energy System, making it unique in terms of size and complexity. The co-operation will also explore opportunities to develop local competencies in the Kingdom, including ways to sustainably assemble the necessary HVDC Light components locally.

“We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with ENOWA and Saudi Electricity Company in order to power one of the most visionary development projects of all time,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “As the world progresses towards a more sustainable future, our expertise and HVDC technologies are true enablers of the electrification of the global energy system and the transition to renewables.”

“By securing the first capacities for such an important part of our future grid in only one year since the decision to use this technology, we show ENOWA’s commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030 in collaboration with Saudi Electricity Company and Hitachi Energy,” said Thorsten Schwarz, Executive Director of Grid Technology & Projects, Energy of ENOWA.

ENOWA, NEOM’s energy and water company, produces and delivers clean and sustainable energy for industrial and commercial applications. The company benefits from NEOM’s greenfield site and strategic location in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia, with abundant solar and wind resources. ENOWA will act as a catalyst and incubator for developing new, sustainable energy and water businesses while creating a robust economic sector regionally.

ENOWA seeks by its commitment to renewable energy and efficient water management, to become a global reference for industry leaders and setting a benchmark for sustainable economic circular systems around the world. Formed in 2022, ENOWA is the principal shareholder in the world’s largest green hydrogen production plant set to be commissioned in 2026 and will enable NEOM to be a global green hydrogen hub.

NEOM will be powered by 100 percent clean energy, through renewable solar, wind and green hydrogen-based energy. The region is designed to be a blueprint for sustainable urban living with minimal impact on the environment and enhanced livability.

Note to editors:
Hitachi Energy’s HVDC solution combines world-leading expertise in HVDC converter valves; the MACH™ digital control platform2, converter power transformers and high-voltage switchgear; as well as system studies, design and engineering, supply, installation supervision and commissioning.

HVDC Light is a voltage source converter technology developed by Hitachi Energy, which was launched over 25 years ago. It is the preferred technology for many grid applications, including interconnecting countries, integrating renewables and “power-from-shore” connections to offshore production facilities. HVDC Light’s defining features include uniquely compact converter stations and exceptionally low electrical losses.

Hitachi Energy pioneered commercial HVDC technology almost 70 years ago and has delivered more than half of the world’s HVDC projects.

Hitachi Energy’s consulting services assist energy customers in pinpointing their challenges and suggesting customized solutions tailored to their unique requirements. Our consultants operate independently, with a product and system-agnostic approach, possessing in-depth knowledge of global technologies, standards, and local grid codes.

1 Saudi’s Giga-Projects
2 Modular Advanced Control for HVDC (MACH™)

See also:
Hitachi Energy to supply the first ever large-scale HVDC interconnection in the Middle East and North Africa (2022)
Hitachi Energy and Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority sign contract to upgrade high-voltage direct current transmission system (2023)

ENOWA website

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About Hitachi Energy
Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of over $10 billion USD.
https://www.hitachienergy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy
https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of “Digital Systems & Services” – supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” – contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective Industries” – connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

Attachment

Jocelyn Chang
Hitachi Energy
jocelyn.chang@hitachienergy.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8848737

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Water institute sets modalities for bio-circular economy

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has set up modalities for Nigeria to use solid waste from the agriculture, water, sanitation and energy sources for economic development.

Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, IWMI Lead Consultant, said this at the stakeholders engagement workshop on ‘Assessment of the Investment Climate for Bio-Circular Economy in Nigeria’.

Bio-Circular Economy uses renewable biological resources from land and sea, such as crops, forests, fish, animals and micro-organisms, to produce food, health, materials, products, textiles and energy.

According to her, Nigeria has the potential to turn around its economic growth with huge investments and opportunities in the environment, sanitation, water, and agriculture sectors.

She said the rising global demand for water, food, and energy, in the context of a growing deficit and competing uses, reinforced the need for more investments in circular economy approaches.

She said the institute was assessing the investment climate for businesses so as to promote a circular economy in which nothing is put into waste.

She said investing in Resource Recovery and Reuse (RRR) businesses in Nigeria, was a potential pathway to sustainable economic development, saying the institute was convinced that stakeholders’ participation would make a huge impact.

“We have learnt about studies that revealed that 183 million Nigerians do not have access to clean energy, so this is why IWMI has facilitated this workshop.

“We will have answers to some of the questions, why is it that these businesses like changing solid wastes into energy forms like biogas, and why is it that they are not able to sustain their growth?”

Dr Olufunke Cofie, Regional Director for West and Central Africa, IWMI, who spoke virtually, said most of the resource reuse and recovery initiatives that aim to recover energy, water, and nutrients fall short of the estimated potential contribution to the economy and sustainable development.

Cofie said consequently, such businesses are unable to expand and sustain themselves, as theoretically projected that they should be able to.

Prof. Olumuyiwa Jayeoba, President, Association of Deans of Agriculture in Nigeria, said many opportunities abound in the agriculture value chain.

Jayeoba said if Nigeria managed climate change and its impact well, it would have an advantage in the agricultural sector.

He said climate smart agriculture would sustainably increase productivity and income, and attainment of the National Food Security and Development Goals.

He said an effective approach in climate smart agriculture, would also strengthen the country’s resilience to climate change and variability.

Also speaking, Dr Chimere Ohajinwa, noted that the impact of climate change in the environment was evident in extreme weather conditions, drought conditions, affecting the attainment of the sustainable development goals.

Ohajinwa said Nigeria faced significant waste management challenges, with increasing volumes of solid waste generated in urban areas.

She said the RRR approaches emphasised proper waste segregation, collection, and recycling.

“Establishing efficient recycling facilities and promoting community-based recycling initiatives can help recover valuable materials such as plastics, paper, glass, and metals.

“This creates employment opportunities in waste collection, sorting, and recycling industries, contributing to economic growth,” she said.

Speaking on circular bio-economy, the environmental expert said it emphasised the use of renewable natural capital and focused on minimising waste, so as to meet the sustainable development goals by 2030.

Ms. Nneka Akunwa, a sanitation and hygiene expert, said Nigeria has a huge market for sanitation products and services.

According to her, half of Nigeria’s population, about 111 million people, do not have a decent toilet of their own, lacking basic or safely managed sanitation.

“One in every four Nigerians are practicing Open defecation, and a reasonable amount of untreated human waste ends up in the environment, threatening people’s health and degrading ecosystems.

“Imagine the business opportunities that are available in the sector if toilet business owners come on board.”

IWMI has inaugurated a Nigerian assessment which is being conducted from February to May in collaboration with the Federal Government.

The findings will be used as a basis to design context-appropriate policies and strategies that can address the bottlenecks and increase RRR business attractiveness for investments.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Angola announces strategic plan for full television, radio coverage by 2050

Angolan Government said it will increase television coverage, from the currently 40% to 100%, aimed to ensure the citizens access to accurate information.

The initiative is part of a preliminary strategic plan until 2050, which has been put out for public consultation.

The measure is also intended to expand the radio signal, from the current 31% to 95% by 2050, and by 2030 it plans to reach 49%.

As for the television signal, whose current coverage stands at 40%, the Government plans to have 57% coverage by 2030, and full coverage by 2050.

Still, the Government plans to improve radio and television transmission capacity by rehabilitating the infrastructure and expansion of coverage throughout the country.

The strategy also involves improving public information services, promoting content in the local language and programmes for rural and vulnerable populations.

The government is also committed until 2050 to guarantee a more modern, independent and inclusive media sector.

According to the document in consultation, the immediate priorities for 2027 are to ensure the sustainability of the State’s involvement in the media sector, clearly defining the public media service to be provided, as well as implementing a programme to restructure and modernise the different bodies.

Angola 2050 strategic plan is aimed to improve the quality of programmes, news and opinion articles, strengthening training and emphasising journalistic integrity.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Angola almost free of climate impacts

Angolan ecologist, João Serôdio, explained Monday in Luanda that Angola is geographically in an intermediate position, with little possibility of being affected by climate change, comparing to other countries.

The university professor also made this statement to the press at the seminar on Education for Climate Action, with the aim of transforming individuals and communities.

According to him, climate changes have always existed, millions of years ago, and are always conditioned by several factors, so living beings have to adapt against these changes.

To João Serôdio, the Angola’s climatic reality is different from that of Europe, where there is flooding of cities and terrible droughts, as in South Africa.

According to the ecologist, probably between 2040 and 2060 there will be a very severe drought in Southern Africa, and in Benguela in particular, which will force the populations of the south to emigrate to the north or to the Congo.

“I am very concerned about the productivity capacity of Cuando Cubango, with the large foreign investments, knowing that probably in 10 or 15 years there will be a great drought in that region”, he expressed.

João Serôdio slammed the way in which wood is exploited in the country, as it could cause a severe drought.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Government approves self-construction project

Angolan government approved Tuesday the construction-oriented project during the 4th Ordinary Session of the Economic Commission of the Cabinet Council chaired by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.

In its press note, released at the end of the Session, the Commission states that this is a five-year project – 2023-2027 – designed for the national citizens.

The documents adds that the project represents a mechanism for the execution of public policies in the field of land management and housing construction, aimed to ensure people’s decent living standards.

The Executive intends to promote the distribution of four (4) million of plot of lands by 2050, with the view to reducing the housing deficit.

The measure will help create conditions for construction of a housing model of a social nature, with easy, quick and low-cost implementation and application.

The intention is also to appeal to commercial banks to consider the use of legal land tenure titles to obtain financing and stop the proliferation of informal settlements.

The 4th Session also approved the Employment Fund of Angola (FUNEA), aimed to guarantee the financial resources necessary for the promotion of public and private initiatives that will allow the insertion of newly trained and

unemployed people into the labour market.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Defence minister highlights political, social stability

Angolan minister of National Defence, Former Combatants and Homeland Veterans João Ernesto dos Santos said Tuesday in Luanda that Angola enjoys an effective and irreversible peace, having as challenges the deepening of democracy and the economic and social development of the country.

Speaking at the opening session of the 22th Meeting of Defence of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), the official added that Angola is experiencing an environment of perfect reconciliation and reconstruction of its main infrastructures.

He stated that Angola has been creating the necessary conditions to attract foreign investment that might contribute to development of the all sectors of the society.

João Ernesto dos Santos spoke of the investments in the energetic field, such as Laúca and Caculo-Cabaça dams, due to end in 2026, the largest in the country and the third in Africa, behind Nigeria and Egypt.

Military cooperation in CPLP

The Angolan minister praised the progressive, common and advantaged cooperation with counterparts that contributed to the strengthening of the action and consolidation of the community project.

He said that the creation of the CPLP on 17 July, 1996 and the strengthening of military cooperation allowed the exchange of different experiences through military training in several military fields.

The minister stressed Angola’s role in supporting the reform of the military sector for Angolan military mission in Guinea Bissau (MISSANG) and in Mozambique, when it was ravaged by the cyclone IDAI and the contribution to peace process of Cabo Delgado (Mozambique).

He asserted that the issues of defence aim to promote world peace and security which must serve as a standard for the present and the future.

He expressed satisfaction at the decoration Aparecido de Oliveira of the CPLP, awarded to the Angolan President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), João Lourenço, in recognition of his role in the community, with emphasis on the promotion of the mobility agreement.

The minister added, among the contributions of the Angolan statesman, the creation of new general objectives of the CPLP for economic cooperation and the integration of the principles of representativeness and gender equality in the statutes of the organisation.

The ambassadors of the member countries witnessed the opening ceremony of the meeting of defence ministers of the Community.

Created in July 1996, the institution comprises Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, and East Timor are the members of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Mamfe: Police kill notorious armed robber

A young man from Okyong Mile 4 village Mamfe, South West region, whose name we got as Ndoh Divine Ekin AKA Adamawa was killed on Monday, May 29, 2023, by government forces.

Residents of Mile 2, Mamfe, had sent numerous complaints of attacks from the young man. The attacks forced them to flee from their homes.

According to some residents of the area, the man has been attacking them at night asking for support at gunpoint, while telling them he was a separatist fighter.

The Mayor of Mamfe, Robertson Tabenchong Ashu, who was at the scene early said ” We have been preaching every day for these persons to drop their arms. This is just one of them who keeps disturbing the peace of the population. Enough is enough. We will continue to bury them like this. I have already taken a decision I will not bury any of them again. The Family or village the person is coming from will be compelled to bury the corpse”.

The Mayor also stated that Ndoh Divine is an ex-convict who has served in prison for over 15 years and was the last surviving male child of his late father and mother.

He has been buried by the natives of Okyong Mile 4 who identified the corpse..

Source: Cameroon News Agency

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GCE candidates commence with written part

Thousands of students across Cameroon have begun writing the General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination.

The national exam organized for students in the English subsystem of education, commenced Tuesday, May 30.

Before stepping into the examination hall at 7:30 am to begin, many of the candidates said they are ready.

CNA spoke to Louisa, an upper-sixth student who registered for five subjects (Geography, Economics, History, English Language, and Philosophy). “I’m not feeling too tense,” she said.

“I woke up at around 1:00 am, studied and I slept back, then woke up again at 5:00 am to revise a bit before finally going to the examination hall.”

Asked if as a Christian, she blessed her pens in church as many students do, Louisa said “No”. She said, “I bought them after I had already gone to church”.

The examination session started with Economics Paper 1, a day after the Baccalaureat exam for the French subsystem kicked off with Literature and Philosophy.

Source: Cameroon News Agency