Connect with us

Technology

PG&E 2024 Innovation Summit to Showcase Novel Climate-Tech Solutions, Additional Speakers Confirmed

Published

on

Leaders from Eaton, GE Vernova, NVIDIA Added to High-Powered Speaker Lineup

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Artificial intelligence for nuclear power generation, carbon-sequestering biochar, long-duration energy storage, submetering and managed charging for electric vehicles, real-time fault detection sensors, a prescribed-burn machine, advanced drones for system inspections, and new undergrounding systems are among the novel solutions and technologies that will be on display November 13 during Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) 2024 Innovation Summit presented in collaboration with DISTRIBUTECH® in San Jose.

“We are proud to work with leading companies advancing energy-focused AI applications, and fire-tech and climate-tech solutions to drive impact across our system with minimal impact to customer bills,” said Quinn Nakayama, Senior Director, Grid Research Innovation and Development, PG&E. “We see the potential for innovation to address emerging challenges across our operations, and we recognize the tremendous opportunity that innovation offers to transform our energy system to deliver for our people, the planet and the prosperity of California for generations to come. Other utilities’ challenges of tomorrow are PG&E’s realities of today, so I look forward to engaging at the summit to share ideas, and–in the spirit of mutual aid and support–I strongly encourage my utility peers across the country to join us in-person on November 13 in San Jose.”

Several industry leaders were recently added to the 2024 Innovation Summit’s high-powered speaker lineup including:

Sean Moser, Senior Vice President & Chief Product Officer of GE Vernova’s Grid Softwaret team and Igor Stamenkovic, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Electrical Services and Systems Division, Eaton will join Joe Bentley, Senior Vice President, Electric Engineering, PG&E for a discussion on the future of electric planning.

Marc Spieler, Senior Managing Director, Global Energy Industry, NVIDIA and Trey Lauderdale, Founder and CEO, Atomic Canyon will join Maureen Zawalick, Vice President, Business and Technical Services, PG&E for a conversation on the role of AI in the nuclear industry.

For the full agenda and speaker lineup, and to register for in-person or virtual attendance visit: Summary – 2024 PG&E Innovation Summit presented by DISTRIBUTECH (cvent.com)

The immersive technology showcase for in-person summit attendees will feature demonstrations by PG&E and peer utilities Avangrid, San Diego Gas and Electric, and Southern California Edison. The showcase will include the following organizations and technologies that PG&E and peer utilities are exploring and deploying to enhance operations, improve customer service, and address changing environmental conditions:

Blue Grit Robotics is pioneering a first-of-its-kind utility undergrounding system that dramatically reduces the cost, complexity, and invasiveness of traditional methods. By harnessing advanced robotics and AI, Blue Grit Robotics is transforming the way utilities are installed underground, making the process safer, more efficient, and minimally disruptive. PG&E identified Blue Grit Robotics through its 2023 R&D Pitch Fest following the inaugural Innovation Summit.

BurnBot builds and operates systems that scale fuel treatment to prevent destructive wildfires. Composed of a team of firefighters, scientists, engineers, prescribed fire practitioners, and forestry professionals, BurnBot is addressing wildfire challenges and risks with its system of technologies that amplify workforce capacity to conduct safe, efficient, and ecological fuels treatment from mastication to prescribed fire. BurnBot recently launched its next-generation controlled burn machine (RX2) that delivers prescribed fire in a way that’s clean and creates very minimal smoke and is 10X faster than what can currently be done by arming boots on the ground and amplifying them with tools and technology, while reducing the risk of escape fire with a minimal impact on the environment. PG&E hosted the first public test of the RX2 in September 2024.

Earth Foundries is a California based, certified woman-owned and certified benefit corporation tackling California’s catastrophic wildfire threat by lowering the cost and carbon footprint of forest remediation. Earth Foundries’ innovative and sustainable Slash Attack™ mobile pyrolysis service converts unmerchantable forest material from forest health and hazardous fuels reduction projects into carbon-sequestering biochar on-site and at-scale. PG&E first tested a pyrolysis machine—also known as a “Carbonizer”–in late 2022 and is working with Earth Foundries to deploy one in Lake County through the Hometown Wildfire Safety Collaborative, a partnership with fire protection associations, safety organizations and environmental sustainability groups to advance wildfire resilience in Lake County.

Form Energy is an American technology company developing a breakthrough, multi-day energy storage system to enable the electric grid to run on clean, reliable, and affordable energy, every day of the year. Form Energy‘s first commercial product is an iron-air battery capable of storing and dispatching energy for 100 hours at system costs competitive with traditional power plants. Form was founded in 2017 with a unified mission: to reshape the global electric system by creating a new class of low-cost, multi-day energy storage systems. The company has already begun trial production of its iron-air batteries from its factory in West Virginia and is preparing to deploy its first commercial projects throughout the U.S. in 2025 and beyond, including a system adjacent to a PG&E electric substation in Northern California.

Gridware is transforming electrical grid management with its advanced sensor technology and innovative smart-pole platform. Focused on enhancing safety, resilience, and reliability, Gridware’s pole-mounted sensors (Gridscopes) monitor power lines in real-time, detecting potential hazards like equipment malfunctions and vegetation encroachment—even during outages. Operators now have access to critical information on when, where, and what faults occur in real time when they need it most. PG&E has deployed 10,000 Gridscopes on 1,000 miles of circuits enabled with Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings. To date, the Gridscopes have prevented five ignitions and provided operationally useful information during 167 events by identifying outage causes and hazards in real-time to dispatch operators. 

IND Technology (IND.T) is an Australian and New York-based company specializing in AI-driven predictive analytics to optimize the performance of industrial and energy assets. Their Early Fault Detection (EFD) system represents a major leap forward in this field, monitoring radio-frequency signals on powerlines 24/7 to detect and locate a wide range of incipient faults before they escalate into power outages or wildfires. Working with PG&E, IND.T has successfully demonstrated how this predictive maintenance technology can remotely identify and diagnose electrical asset failures. The EFD system is particularly noteworthy for its precision—it can pinpoint issues within 30 feet, leveraging the combination of smart sensors, radio-frequency signals, and advanced data analytics. This proactive approach not only boosts the reliability of energy infrastructure but also helps utilities optimize maintenance costs by preventing failures and reducing downtime. EFD technology is now widely deployed across North America, serving as a critical tool for utilities to enhance climate resilience and improve operational efficiency.

Itron, a global grid edge intelligence leader, is innovating news ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water. The company will demonstrate one of its distributed intelligence applications, running on Itron’s Riva electric endpoint, that manages electric vehicle (EV) charging loads in real-time to allow consumers to safely operate Level 2 EV chargers without needing to upgrade their electrical service or compromise reliability within the local grid.

RainIons has developed a game changing, low-cost patented catalytic technology to remove CO2, NOX and other pollutants at the source of hydrocarbon exhaust. RainIons’ coating technology can be applied and scaled from small engines to large utilities, power generation, industrial applications, low/no-energy Direct Air Capture technology and further. 

Schneider Electric is a global leader in energy management and automation, committed to providing innovative solutions for a sustainable and efficient energy future. Its advanced technologies empower utilities to optimize grid operations, integrate renewable energy sources, and enhance grid resilience. Through its Digital Grid solutions, Schneider Electric aims to drive the transformation of power distribution, enabling a smarter, greener, and more reliable energy ecosystem for communities and businesses alike. PG&E is working with Schneider Electric to enable a cloud-based Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) to maximize the value of electric vehicles, solar and batteries as flexible grid resources.

Skydio is the leading U.S. manufacturer of autonomous drones, revolutionizing the way utility companies inspect and maintain critical infrastructure. Powered by advanced AI and machine learning, Skydio drone solutions provide a safer, faster, and more efficient alternative to manual inspections, delivering high-resolution data from hard-to-reach areas. With a proven track record in transforming operations for major utilities, Skydio’s drone solutions enable predictive, condition-based maintenance, helping companies like PG&E enhance safety, reduce costs, and improve the reliability of their electrical grid. PG&E has integrated Skydio’s Dock technology at more than a dozen electric substations to augment current inspection programs and manual drone operations.

Treeswift empowers utilities with AI-augmented vegetation management that reduces risk and improves reliability across transmission and distribution systems. Treeswift’s backpack and vehicle-mounted sensors seamlessly integrate into existing patrols to gather imagery and LiDAR data. Treeswift’s AI translates this data into actionable analytics and 360° field context for encroachment, strike potential, and failure risk via its software platform for vegetation management experts, arborists, and tree crews. PG&E identified Treeswift through its 2023 Pitch Fest.

WeaveGrid is a leading EV Management System (EVMS) provider whose software enables grid-integrated electric vehicle charging. The company’s software platform optimizes EV charging to align with periods of high renewable energy availability and ensure ongoing electric grid reliability and resiliency, while keeping preferences and controls at a driver’s fingertips. WeaveGrid’s approach supports broad participation in managed charging programs and reduces the costs of serving EV loads through distribution-integrated smart charging orchestration (DISCO). WeaveGrid partners with utilities, charging providers, and automakers to accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation. PG&E and WeaveGrid have collaborated on managed charging programs including evPulse and EV Charge Manager.

Visit www.pge.com/innovation for information about PG&E’s Innovation Summit 2024 and to learn more about PG&E’s efforts to accelerate energy R&D.

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

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pge-2024-innovation-summit-to-showcase-novel-climate-tech-solutions-additional-speakers-confirmed-302282107.html

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Continue Reading

Technology

Showcasing AI-Driven Grid Transformation: Huawei Demonstrates Atlas 950 Infrastructure and Industry Insights at GCC POWER 2026

Published

on

By

MUSCAT, Oman, Nov. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As AI moves into production, what ultimately determines how much intelligence a power company can deliver is the compute underneath.

AI infrastructure is precisely where Huawei has its strengths. The Atlas 950 SuperPoD full-stack platform supports all the applications showcased. It has three core advantages.

First, the efficiency revolution. The new cluster’s FLOPS utilization has increased by 1.6 times, inference latency has been reduced by 5 times. Through 80% of the liquid cooling design, the full lifecycle operational costs have been significantly reduced.

Second, safety and reliability. The mean time between failures has been extended by 10 times.

Third, the architecture and scale are leading. The fully configured system can support up to 8,192 Ascend 950DT chips. The system can be continuously expanded, protecting customer investments.

Atlas 950 not only provides powerful computing capabilities but also embodies our vision for green energy and smart grids.

Jacky Wang, Vice President of Huawei Electric Power Digitalization BU, stated: “The implementation of technology can’t be achieved without the support of open standards. We are actively participating in international standard organizations such as CIGRE, IEEE, and IEC. The IEEE 2413.2 reference architecture standard, which Huawei has led in contributing to, has significantly simplified the complexity of power grid systems. Meanwhile, Huawei’s contribution to IEEE 1901.5 provides a solid technical specification for power line communication. At the same time, we also call for increased efforts in cultivating AI talent in the power sector. Because we all know that “technology is just a tool, and talent is the core engine driving innovation.”

Jacky Wang highlighted in his speech: “The future of AI relies on power; the future of power is powered by AI.” He called for collaboration: “Let us join hands and work together. On one hand, we should promote the optimization of regulatory mechanisms and increase AI investment. On the other hand, we should deepen the co-construction of standards and empower the modernization of the power grid through an open ecosystem.”

The event organizer, GCC, expressed gratitude to Huawei for its contributions. Huawei looks forward to working more closely with local utilities and CIGRE in the GCC region to build a secure, resilient, and inclusive digital energy transformation model for the Gulf.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/showcasing-ai-driven-grid-transformation-huawei-demonstrates-atlas-950-infrastructure-and-industry-insights-at-gcc-power-2026-302938614.html

Continue Reading

Technology

Mastercard opens its largest Innovation Centre of Excellence in Asia Pacific to drive the intelligence economy

Published

on

By

New 7,200+ sq ft Singapore facility brings together global expertise to turn ideas into solutions for more than 40 Asia Pacific markets and beyond, with plans to create over 250 specialist roles by 2029.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mastercard today opened its largest Innovation Centre of Excellence (ICoE) in Asia Pacific, creating a new regional hub where financial institutions, merchants, governments and technology partners can work alongside Mastercard specialists to shape the future of commerce in the intelligence economy.

The 7,200+ sq ft facility brings together expertise in AI, cybersecurity, customer experience and rapid prototyping, turning promising ideas into real-world solutions faster. More than 55 specialists are already working across the ICoE to help partners address emerging challenges, strengthen resilience and create better digital experiences.

Mastercard plans to add over 250 specialist roles in Singapore by the end of 2029, expanding the talent and capabilities needed to advance responsible AI, trusted digital commerce, cybersecurity, data and payments across the region.

“Mastercard’s Innovation Centre of Excellence brings together banks, merchants, technology companies and governments to develop and test new solutions. By combining expertise in AI, cybersecurity and fraud intelligence, it will help turn emerging technologies into solutions that businesses and consumers can trust,” said Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry), Singapore, at the launch. “I hope the ICoE will become a lighthouse for payments innovation in Asia Pacific, where new solutions are developed and proven in Singapore, before being adapted and deployed across ASEAN, India and beyond.” 

“Mastercard’s Innovation Centre of Excellence marks a new chapter in our long-standing and multi-faceted partnership. By deepening its capabilities in AI, cybersecurity and threat intelligence, Mastercard will tackle emerging challenges and seize new opportunities across Asia Pacific. Singapore will continue to be a key hub where companies like Mastercard can innovate and pioneer the next generation of technologies for global markets, and create high-value jobs for Singaporeans,” said Png Cheong Boon, Chairman, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

Bringing together the capabilities to build what’s next

Designed to evolve with changing technologies, risks and business models, the ICoE brings four complementary spaces together in one facility:

AI Centre of Excellence: advancing responsible AI solutions that can make commerce safer, smarter and more intuitive, including applications in agentic commerce, fraud and scam prevention. Fusion Centre: bringing together expertise across cyber, fraud and physical security to identify emerging risks, coordinate response efforts and strengthen resilience across the ecosystem.Mastercard Experience Centre: giving financial institutions, merchants and public sector partners an immersive way to explore emerging technologies and new possibilities for their businesses. Makerspace: providing a hands-on environment to rapidly prototype, test and refine ideas, shortening the journey from concept to reality.

“Singapore continues to distinguish itself through its ambition, talent and ability to stay ahead of change. Mastercard has been proud to grow its presence here. This new investment reflects our confidence in Singapore’s future and Mastercard’s commitment to being a partner for the long term,” said Jon Huntsman, Vice Chairman and President, Strategic Growth, Mastercard.

“Asia Pacific is moving quickly into a more intelligent and interconnected economy. The opportunity is to turn new technology into real-world value, securely and at scale,” said Richard Wormald, President, Asia Pacific, Mastercard. “The ICoE builds on Mastercard’s longstanding collaboration with EDB and Singapore’s strength as a proven testbed for innovation. It unites capabilities that traditionally sat apart, supporting the region in tackling shared challenges and moving promising ideas into practice faster.”

From Singapore, shaping the future of commerce across Asia Pacific 

The opening of ICoE in Singapore comes as businesses across Asia Pacific look to close the gap between technology experimentation and adoption. By 2030, more than one in 10 online shoppers are projected to routinely use AI agents to make purchases on their behalf, while US$3 trillion to US$5 trillion in global consumer commerce could be influenced or orchestrated by agentic AI. Realizing this opportunity will require businesses to deploy new technologies responsibly, with security, governance and human oversight built in from the outset, particularly in a region where cybercrime already accounts for over 30% of recorded crime.

The ICoE will connect Mastercard expertise and insights across more than 40 Asia Pacific markets. From Singapore, it will develop solutions for the region’s diverse needs, with the potential for the strongest ideas to scale globally. 

Mastercard has more than 850 employees in Singapore, home to its Asia Pacific headquarters and a key market support centre for the region, with the workforce expected to exceed 1,000 by the end of 2029. This growth will deepen the expertise needed to shape a more intelligent, connected and secure future for commerce.

Download high-resolution visuals and supporting materials of the ICoE in Singapore here.

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/mastercard-opens-its-largest-innovation-centre-of-excellence-in-asia-pacific-to-drive-the-intelligence-economy-302938641.html

SOURCE Mastercard

Continue Reading

Technology

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES BRINGS LIVE GAMING TO 35,000 FEET, POWERED BY STARLINK

Published

on

By

Twitch creators compete and livestream in real time from a Starlink-equipped Southwest aircraft en route to TwitchCon

DALLAS, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) brought gaming to 35,000 feet with the first-ever live gaming tournament in the sky, bringing Twitch creators onboard a special flight from Austin to San Diego on their way to TwitchCon. Powered by Starlink’s fastest WiFi in the sky, creators competed head-to-head while livestreaming the action to the Twitch community in real time.

This one-of-a-kind activation showcased what faster, reliable connectivity can make possible onboard as Southwest expects to become the first major U.S. airline to equip its entire fleet with Starlink in fall 2027.

Game Mode: On
The tournament added a new spin to Southwest’s history of creating unexpected moments onboard, turning the cabin into a gaming arena and giving creators a new way to connect with their communities from the sky. The experience extended well beyond the aircraft, with the livestream bringing viewers along for the flight and creating moments creators could continue sharing with their followers after touchdown.

“Gaming is all about connection, competition, and sharing the moment with a community, which made bringing a live tournament onboard such a natural fit for Southwest,” said Sabrina Callahan, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital & Marketing Officer at Southwest Airlines. “Southwest is known for making the journey memorable for our Customers, and this was a unique way to unite the energy of TwitchCon with the power of Starlink at 35,000 feet.”

Going All-In on Ultra-Fast WiFi 1
From Nintendo Switch systems and gaming laptops to tablets and phones, Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency connectivity gives Customers more ways to play, stream, work, and stay connected using the devices they bring onboard.

“Our Customers want to stay connected in the air just as they do on the ground, and Starlink is helping us deliver that experience,” said Lisa Hingson, Vice President Customer Experience & Innovation. “Livestreaming a gaming tournament shows what this technology can do, made possible by Starlink’s constellation of thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites. Whether Customers want to stream, work, or simply stay connected along the way, we’re investing in an inflight experience that gives them more freedom to spend their time onboard the way they want.”

The carrier offers free WiFi to all Rapid Rewards Members, thanks to T-Mobile. Customers can join Rapid Rewards to unlock access to free WiFi, tier benefits, and points by flying qualifying flights or spending with eligible partners. Members can purchase points to earn a reward to book their favorite destination or a new Southwest route. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply at Southwest.com/rrterms. 

TwitchCon 2026 takes place November 13 to 15 at the San Diego Convention Center, bringing together streamers, creators, developers and communities for live shows, panels, game demos and fan meet-ups. More information about attending TwitchCon San Diego is available online.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across 12 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline.2 By empowering its more than 73,0003  People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 134 million Customers carried in 2025. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

1 Where available. Available only on WiFi-enabled designated aircraft.

2 Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q4 2025.

3 Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of June 30, 2026.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to (i) the Company’s initiatives, strategic priorities, focus areas, core strengths, goals, and opportunities, including with respect to product offering enhancements; and (ii) the Company’s expectations with respect to timing of and Customer response to its product offering enhancements. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current estimates, intentions, beliefs, expectations, goals, strategies, and projections for the future and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the impact of geopolitical conflicts, fears or actual outbreaks of diseases, extreme or severe weather and natural disasters, actions of competitors (including, without limitation, pricing, scheduling, capacity, and network decisions, and consolidation and alliance activities), governmental actions, consumer perception, consumer uncertainties with respect to trade policies, tariffs, or government shutdowns, economic conditions, fears or actual acts of terrorism or war, sociodemographic trends, and other factors beyond the Company’s control, on consumer behavior and the Company’s results of operations and business decisions, plans, strategies, and results; (ii) the Company’s ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, operate, maintain, and protect the technology systems, cybersecurity measures, artificial intelligence and other emerging technology capabilities, and infrastructure necessary to support its operations and initiatives; (iii) the Company’s ability to effectively execute and evolve its strategic plans, initiatives, product offerings, and policies, including related consumer behavior and response; (iv) the impact of fuel price changes, fuel price volatility, and fuel availability on the Company’s business plans and results of operations; (v) the impact of the Federal Aviation Administration and other governmental regulations and actions, including with respect to government shutdowns and Air Traffic Control staffing shortages and inefficiencies, as well as the Company’s ability to obtain any required governmental approvals, on the Company’s business plans, results, and operations; (vi) the Company’s dependence on The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) and Boeing suppliers with respect to the Company’s aircraft deliveries, fleet and capacity plans, operations, maintenance, strategies, and goals; (vii) the Company’s dependence on other third parties, including with respect to technology, revenue management, distribution channels, operational reliability, fuel supply, maintenance, and the impact on the Company’s operations and results of operations of any third-party delays or nonperformance; (viii) the impact of labor matters on the Company’s business decisions, plans, strategies, and results; (ix) the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain adequate infrastructure and equipment to support its operations and initiatives; (x) the Company’s dependence on its workforce, including its ability to employ and retain sufficient numbers of qualified Employees with appropriate skills and expertise to effectively and efficiently maintain its operations and execute the Company’s plans; (xi) the cost and effects of the actions of activist shareholders; and (xii) other factors, as described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwest-airlines-brings-live-gaming-to-35-000-feet-powered-by-starlink-302938581.html

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

Continue Reading

Trending