PALM HARBOR, Fla., July 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Geographic Solutions today announced that its proprietary VOS Sapphire AI platform has been named Best AI/ML Solution in the 2026 Tech Ascension Awards.

VOS Sapphire AI leverages artificial intelligence to streamline case management, enhance job matching, automate routine tasks, and deliver personalized assistance to job seekers, employers, and workforce professionals across 40 states and U.S. territories. By improving efficiency, reducing administrative burden, and enabling data-driven decision-making, VOS Sapphire AI helps agencies modernize service delivery and achieve better employment outcomes through a secure, fully integrated AI solution.

“Receiving the Tech Ascension Award for Best AI/ML Solution is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to developing AI technologies that deliver real value for workforce agencies,” said Paul Toomey, President and Founder of Geographic Solutions. “VOS Sapphire AI empowers workforce professionals to work more efficiently, improve services for job seekers and employers, and achieve better workforce outcomes through secure, practical innovation.”

The 2026 Tech Ascension Awards recognize organizations developing innovative technologies that solve critical business challenges and deliver measurable customer value. Winners are evaluated on technology innovation, market impact, and competitive differentiation.

“The 2026 DevOps Award winners are helping define what modern technology operations look like in an AI-driven era,” said David Campbell, CEO of Tech Ascension Awards. “These companies stood out for delivering solutions that bring greater intelligence, automation, visibility, and operational control to complex environments. Their innovations are helping organizations move faster, work smarter, and build more resilient digital systems.”

About Geographic Solutions

Geographic Solutions is the nation’s leading provider of integrated software for state and local workforce agencies, serving more than 40 states and U.S. territories. Its cloud-based platforms support workforce development, labor exchange, labor market information, unemployment insurance, education, reentry, vocational rehabilitation, and human services programs. Geographic Solutions’ software is used by more than 1,100 American Job Centers and is accessible to over 211 million individuals nationwide. For more information, visit www.geographicsolutions.com.

About the Tech Ascension Awards

The Tech Ascension Awards recognize organizations developing innovative technologies that solve critical industry challenges across cybersecurity, DevOps, AI, big data, and enterprise technology. Winners are selected based on innovation, market validation, measurable performance, and competitive differentiation. For more information, visit www.techascensionawards.com.

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SOURCE Geographic Solutions, Inc.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sungrow, the globally leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, successfully completed full-condition grid-forming (GFM) tests at the Santong 100 MW/400 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Malaysia, demonstrating how advanced grid-forming technology can enhance grid resilience and support renewable energy integration in Southeast Asia.

Unlike conventional grid-following systems that rely on external voltage and frequency references, grid-forming technology enables energy storage systems to actively support grid stability through functions such as black start, islanded operation, virtual inertia, and voltage-frequency regulation.

At the Santong project, Sungrow completed four core dimensions of grid-forming (GFM) capability, including plant-level black start, seamless on-grid/off-grid switching, large-capacity transformer switching, and active grid support during grid-connected operation. The project represents a landmark grid-forming energy storage applications connected to Malaysia’s national grid, providing a practical reference for renewable-heavy power systems across Southeast Asia.

Four Core Capabilities of System-Level Grid-Forming

Moving beyond traditional single-cabinet or limited-function tests, the project conducted full plant-level closed-loop validation across multiple operating conditions. It verified the grid-forming system’s end-to-end capabilities, from active voltage build-up to grid-connected support.

100 MW Plant-Level Black Start – Autonomous Grid Building

Under a condition where the entire plant was completely de-energized with no external voltage or frequency reference, Sungrow’s grid-forming PCS operated as an independent voltage source, autonomously performing zero-voltage start-up and rapidly establishing a stable AC bus voltage. Multiple converters simultaneously formed the grid and shared power equally, with no circulating current impact or device tripping throughout the process. This validated capability provides a practical pathway for utilities to strengthen grid recovery capabilities and improve resilience against large-scale outages.

Millisecond-Level Seamless On-Grid/Off-Grid Switching

The test verified seamless on/off-grid switching under two critical scenarios: instantaneous disconnection following a grid fault and re-synchronization during grid restoration. When the plant protection was triggered during full-load operation due to a grid fault, the system transferred from grid-connected operation to off-grid grid-forming operation without load interruption or significant voltage sag, maintaining continuous power supply to local loads.

Frequent Large-Capacity Transformer Switching

The system demonstrated robust transient withstand capability under frequent large-capacity transformer switching, providing a practical reference for substation retrofits and the integration of energy storage converters with ageing transformers in Southeast Asia.

During the switching process, the bus voltage avoided severe collapse, and all equipment remained stable and grid-connected, helping lower the technical barriers tooverseas plant retrofitting and grid connection.

All-Condition Grid-Forming Support

Under the weak grid conditions of Malaysia’s East Coast with low short-circuit capacity, the system demonstrated its ability to provide virtual inertia, regulate voltage and frequency, and mitigate renewable power fluctuations. The validation achieved comprehensive coverage of key grid-forming functions and compliance with the latest TNB grid connection requirements.

The Santong plant completed all tests in a single run, backed by Sungrow’s 20 years of system-level grid-forming expertise.

Sungrow adopts full-plant coordinated system architecture. Deeply integrated wind, solar and BESS control strategies eliminate logic conflicts arising from mixed-brand equipment assembly. Tailored to Malaysia’s grid challenges, including high humidity, fluctuating grid strength, and multi-PV coupling resonance, its full-band oscillation suppression algorithm delivers superior power quality and system stability.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

CONTACT:
WangLuly
luly.wang@sungrow-hq.com
15618330862

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SOURCE Sungrow Power

Huntsville growth strategy firm backs Veterans Against Suicide’s 6,000-mile awareness mission on an incredibly short timeline, and calls on other businesses and individuals to join the challenge

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., July 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Veterans Against Suicide Inc. and BAILOR today announced that the Huntsville-based growth strategy firm has been named the founding “Mission Accelerator” sponsor of the Freedom Fighter mission, a 6,000-mile endurance record attempt around America’s Great Loop designed to bring national attention to veteran suicide. The mission’s urgency and compressed launch timeline aligned with what BAILOR does best: making impossible missions reality.

On July 24, a three-man crew will depart from Ditto Landing in Huntsville, AL, aboard Freedom Fighter, a former U.S. Coast Guard SAFE Boat Defender vessel restored and outfitted for the mission. The crew will attempt to break the fastest publicly documented Great Loop completion record of 12 days, 18 hours, and 10 minutes, using every mile of the journey to remind veterans they are not alone and that help is available.

As the Mission Accelerator sponsor, BAILOR holds the flagship partnership in the campaign. The firm helped shape the mission’s launch strategy, opened doors to community and business partners, and provided the momentum that turned an ambitious idea into a national awareness campaign in a matter of weeks.

“A century ago, an explorer named Shakelton put out a call for a nearly impossible expedition – hardship, danger, uncertain return – and thousands of people showed up, because humans are pulled toward missions that matter. When I met Dave, and the crew, I saw three men willing to risk something extraordinary for a cause that reaches into families in every state across the US,” said Sonya Bailor, Founder & CEO of BAILOR. ” I saw a mission that deserved to have national exposure, but didn’t know how to get there. At BAILOR, we spend every day helping leaders turn seemingly impossible goals into missions they can execute and scale – at speed if desired – just like the Freedom Fighter Great Loop record break attempt by Veterans Against Suicide.  We knew we could accelerate the whole mission towards success.  That’s why we’re more than proud to be the flagship Mission Accelerator partner, and why we literally put our ‘pirate flag’ on the boat!”

Veterans Against Suicide leaders say the partnership set the pace for the entire campaign.

“Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day, and too many of them die believing no one is coming. We took the oath to never leave a fallen comrade. This mission is that creed put into action,” said David Skrzecz, founder of Veterans Against Suicide, Inc. and mission leader, Freedom Fighter. “BAILOR understood the moment they heard it and became more than a sponsor… they have become our trusted partner for this entire mission. While the boat was still being outfitted and the timeline looked impossible, they brought the strategy, the connections, and the immense urgency of a true force multiplier, and they got us to the starting line. Now we’re asking every other business and every American to follow their lead. Every sponsor, every dollar, and every conversation helps carry this message another mile. And out here, one more mile can be the difference between a veteran who feels forgotten, and one who knows we never stopped and will never stop coming.”

A Mission Bigger Than the Record

The organization’s mission was inspired by the national “22 a day” awareness movement, which brought unprecedented attention to veteran suicide. Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs publishes updated annual data of veterans reported in their system, with its most recent report documenting 6,398 Veteran suicides in 2023.

Every one of those losses represents a family, a community, and a life that mattered. Through the Freedom Fighter mission, Veterans Against Suicide seeks to spark conversations, encourage veterans to seek help when needed, and remind communities that connection and support save lives.

Throughout the approximately 12-day voyage, supporters will be able to follow the crew with live GPS tracking, daily mission updates, video reports from the water, and social media coverage.

How Businesses and Individuals Can Join the Mission

With BAILOR’s flagship sponsorship in place, Veterans Against Suicide is inviting other businesses and community members to help fund and fuel the mission before the July 24 launch. Opportunities include:

Corporate sponsorships — A limited number of corporate sponsorship opportunities remain, with benefits including logo placement on the vessel and crew gear, national press inclusion, website inclusion, and dedicated social media features.Mission sponsorships — Businesses and families can fuel and dedicate a leg of the journey, sponsor a crew member, or support live mission tracking.Individual giving — Donations begin at $22, honoring the long-cited estimate of veterans lost to suicide each day, and every donor becomes part of the mission’s Wall of Honor.

Sponsorship details, donation options, and live mission tracking are available at www.VeteransAgainstSuicide.org.

Veterans in crisis, or anyone concerned about a veteran, can contact the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.

About BAILOR

BAILOR is a growth strategy consulting and coaching firm based in Huntsville, Alabama. Through the BAILOR Method™, the Build to Scale™ program, and executive coaching, the firm partners with leadership teams to identify and overcome growth obstacles and build scalable, resilient businesses. Learn more at www.bailor.group.

About Veterans Against Suicide

Veterans Against Suicide Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness, promoting education, and advocating for solutions that reduce veteran suicide. Through outreach, partnerships, and innovative awareness campaigns, the organization works to ensure veterans know they are never alone.

Media Opportunities

Media interviews are available prior to launch with Sonya Bailor, Founder and CEO of BAILOR; David Skrzecz, Mission Leader and Founder of Veterans Against Suicide; and members of the Freedom Fighter crew. B-roll, photography, mission graphics, crew biographies, and media kits are available upon request.

Veterans Against Suicide Inc.
Media Contact: Sonia Robinson, media@bailor.group, 256.509.5916
Website: https://www.veteransagainstsuicide.org/
Mission Information: https://www.veteransagainstsuicide.org/freedom-fighter

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SOURCE Bailor Group