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Electric Companies Prepare Year-Round to Strengthen Grid for Severe Weather

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Industry experts on the frontlines of emergency response share how they serve customers in their communities — watch the new video

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As hurricane season begins and wildfire risks increase across the country, America’s electric companies are preparing to respond to extreme weather events that can cause power outages.

 

“We know extreme weather will continue to impact communities across the country—the question is not if, but when,” said Jennifer DeCesaro, senior vice president of industry operations at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). “Electric companies prepare year-round—investing in stronger infrastructure, deploying new technologies, and coordinating across the industry to enable a rapid, safe response when severe weather strikes.”

New video: Hear directly from experts on the frontlines of emergency response across the country about how they prepare for and respond to hurricanes, wildfires, and other extreme weather events. The video features leaders from ComEd, Entergy, Georgia Power, Hawaiian Electric, and National Grid.

Investing in a More Resilient Grid

The grid has remained strong and stable over time, with most power outages—about 80 percent— caused by severe weather, according to a new analysis from Concentric Energy Advisors (CEA). The electric power industry is focused on reducing those impacts and restoring power safely and as quickly as possible when storms occur.

EEI’s member companies are investing at historic levels—nearly $1.4 trillion over the next five years—to strengthen the grid and make it more resilient to extreme weather. According to the report, roughly 21–33 percent of transmission and distribution investment is specifically directed toward resilience and hardening. That includes burying outage-prone power lines, replacing wooden poles with stronger steel and concrete structures, elevating substations against flooding, and trimming trees near power lines to prevent storm-related outages.

Data-Driven Response Efforts

Data, technology, and advanced forecasting tools are transforming how electric companies prepare for and respond to severe weather. Days before a storm, electric companies use damage prediction models and weather analytics to pinpoint likely impacts and determine where to position crews, equipment, and materials.

“With the smart technology, we’re able to make decisions quickly,” said Drew Thompson, program manager of workforce strategies at Entergy.

Electric companies are deploying sensors, real-time monitoring platforms, and grid-enhancing technologies that provide continuous visibility into system conditions and support more informed decision-making during extreme weather events.

Across the industry, companies are also leveraging drones equipped with AI-powered cameras, automated diagnostic tools, and smart grid technologies to inspect infrastructure, identify issues before they cause outages, and reduce restoration times. In the West, member companies are also deploying AI-enabled cameras to detect wildfires earlier, helping first responders act faster.

Mutual Assistance

A hallmark of the electric power industry is mutual assistance—the long-standing tradition of mobilizing resources to help support communities in need.

Ahead of major storms and other natural disasters, electric companies coordinate to identify resource needs and position additional personnel, equipment, and supplies to expedite power restoration. This preparation helps enable a safe, organized, and rapid response in affected communities.

Created decades ago, EEI’s mutual assistance network provides a formal yet flexible process for electric companies to request support from companies in other parts of the country not affected by major outages. EEI and its member companies also conduct exercises throughout the year to test and strengthen the system in the event of widespread disruptions.

“In the event of a very large storm, then we may call on our neighboring utility to come and help us out, so that we can restore safely and with the right number of resources,” said David Bunge, senior manager of emergency preparedness at ComEd.

“We’re not in it alone,” said Stephanie Gossman, general manager of planning and policy at Georgia Power. “That’s one of the things I love about America’s electric companies, and the fact that we work together across this industry to tackle challenges, including getting the lights back on.”

How Customers Can Prepare Now

Customers also play an important role in preparing for severe weather. Taking the following steps now can help improve safety and readiness:

Visit www.ready.gov to learn how to plan, prepare, and act in your community.

Review EEI’s hurricane safety tips and wildfire safety tips and keep an emergency outage kit stocked and readily available.

Develop an emergency plan, including arrangements for any special medical needs or evacuation support.

Stock up on non-perishable food, water, medications, and other necessities, and monitor local weather reports on radio, television, and online.

Make sure your contact information is current with your local electric company so you can receive status and safety updates during an emergency.

EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide safe, reliable electricity for nearly 250 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Collectively, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States and drives economic growth and prosperity. EEI also includes hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.

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SOURCE Edison Electric Institute

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DREO Unveils New Air Purifier, Heating Innovations and Air Intelligence at IFA 2026, Shaping the Future of Home Wellness

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DREO introduces its new Air Purifier lineup, led by the flagship Air Purifier 530S, combining TurboPure™ technology with AI-powered RGBIC lighting to deliver high-performance purification with a more intuitive user experience.DREO Air Intelligence debuts as an AI-powered system that enables air products to better understand, adapt to and coordinate around changing home environments.DREO showcases its next-generation heating technologies, featuring new airflow innovations designed to deliver more adaptive, personalized and whole-room warmth.DREO hosts an IFA Dream Stage panel with leaders from the Connectivity Standards Alliance and Polar to discuss how AI, connectivity and intelligent air management can shape the future of home wellness.

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DREO, a global smart home brand, today unveiled its latest innovations at IFA 2026, including a new Air Purifier lineup led by the flagship DREO Air Purifier 530S, DREO Air Intelligence, an AI-powered system for home air management, and its latest heating technologies. Under the theme “AIR, Mastered,” DREO is showcasing its vision for making home air more intelligent, with products and technologies designed to better sense indoor environments, adapt to changing conditions and deliver more personalized comfort experiences.

“For years, DREO has focused on advancing air comfort through stronger performance, thoughtful product design and seamless connectivity,” said Olivia Xu, Chief Marketing Officer at DREO. “Today marks the next step in that journey. We believe the future of home comfort will not be defined by smarter individual products alone, but by continuously rethinking how people experience air in everyday life. From purification and heating to intelligent home air management, every innovation we introduce is designed to make home comfort more intuitive, adaptive and personal.”

New Flagship DREO Air Purifier 530S with TurboPure™ Technology Delivers a More Intuitive Purification Experience

Leading DREO’s new air purification lineup, the flagship DREO Air Purifier 530S is built around the Ultimate TurboPure™ Purification System. Combining an all-new airflow system, 3-in-1 HEPA Pro filtration, intelligent sensing and AI-powered RGBIC lighting, the DREO Air Purifier 530S delivers powerful purification while creating a more intuitive way for users to understand and interact with indoor air quality.

All-new airflow system. The Air Purifier 530S features an elevated design that creates true 360° air intake, helping capture dust and pet hair closer to the floor. A newly developed spiral intake guides incoming air in the same rotational direction as the impeller, reducing turbulence before it reaches the fan. Clean air is then released evenly through a 360° outlet to improve circulation throughout the room.3-in-1 HEPA Pro filtration. A True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 μm under the IEST standard, while the replaceable FiberCatch™ layer traps larger debris including dust and hair for easier maintenance. The filtration system also incorporates 130 g of modified activated carbon, four times the capacity of the previous generation, to improve odor removal from pets, cooking and everyday indoor living.Intelligent sensing and visibility. The Air Purifier 530S integrates a real-time PM2.5 sensor with Auto Mode to continuously monitor indoor air quality and automatically adjust purification performance. An AI-powered RGBIC light ring visualizes changes in air quality from anywhere in the room while also supporting personalized lighting effects, combining functional feedback with ambient home aesthetics.

Independently verified by AHAM, the DREO Air Purifier 530S delivers a Clean Air Delivery Rate of 221 m³/h, covering approximately 19 m² at 4.8 air changes per hour or spaces up to 90 m² at one air change per hour. With HyperSilent™ Technology, noise levels are reduced to as low as 18 dB in Sleep Mode, enabling quiet operation in bedrooms and during overnight use.

The DREO Air Purifier 530S also supports smart control through the DREO App, Amazon Alexa and Google Home, enabling users to remotely manage purification, create schedules with minute-level precision and review up to 30 days of air quality history. An intelligent filter life algorithm estimates replacement timing based on actual air quality, fan speed and usage, helping simplify everyday maintenance.

Alongside the DREO Air Purifier 530S, DREO is also showcasing the DREO Air Purifier 539S, DREO Air Purifier 539AS, DREO Air Purifier 338S and DREO Air Purifier Macro Max AS, offering solutions for different room sizes and home environments across the European market.

DREO Air Intelligence Advances Home Wellness Through AI and Connected Air Comfort

Beyond its latest product innovations, DREO is introducing DREO Air Intelligence, an AI-powered air system designed to make home wellness more adaptive through AI and connected air comfort. Rather than relying solely on preset routines, DREO Air Intelligence combines physical comfort models with internationally recognized PMV/PPD thermal comfort science to understand changing home environments, interpret multiple environmental signals and intelligently coordinate compatible DREO air comfort products. By connecting environmental sensing, intelligent decision-making and device coordination, DREO Air Intelligence enables air products to respond more naturally to people’s changing needs at home.

DREO Air Intelligence is built around three core experiences:

Home Wellness Score: Combines thermal comfort, air quality, rest environment and water-related wellness signals into a single score from 0 to 100, giving users an at-a-glance understanding of their home environment and clear visibility into areas that may need attention. Thermal comfort is evaluated using internationally recognized PMV/PPD models, going beyond raw temperature to estimate how a room actually feels by accounting for humidity, airflow, activity level and clothing factors.Energy Saving Status: Uses AI optimization to intelligently adjust device operation and compare energy consumption with and without AI optimization. Results are presented in terms of electricity saved, estimated cost savings and reduced carbon emissions, making energy efficiency more visible, measurable and easier to understand.Home Air Pilot: Continuously monitors changes in the home environment, analyzes surrounding conditions and intelligently coordinates compatible DREO air comfort products to optimize comfort, air quality and energy efficiency. When the system can make reliable decisions, Home Air Pilot proactively adjusts device operation. When personal preferences are involved, users remain fully in control.

Designed with an open ecosystem in mind, DREO Air Intelligence supports Matter-enabled devices, allowing compatible products to work together more seamlessly across the connected home. As DREO continues to expand its connected ecosystem, DREO Air Intelligence represents the company’s vision for making home wellness more adaptive through AI and connected air comfort.

Next-Generation Heating Technologies Introduce Adaptive Airflow for Home Heating

DREO showcased its latest heating technologies, led by AutoShift™ Technology, a new airflow innovation built around an adaptive lifting structure that automatically raises and lowers the upper air guide to transition between Focused Heating and 360° Whole-Room Heating. By physically changing how warm air is delivered, AutoShift™ enables a single heating system to adapt to different heating scenarios, providing concentrated warmth for personal comfort or balanced heat distribution throughout the room without requiring users to manually switch between different heating modes.

The adaptive lifting structure works together with a newly developed airflow architecture to continuously reshape airflow as it moves, creating two distinct heating experiences within a single system. The result is a more responsive approach to home heating that adapts naturally to different spaces, activities and everyday routines, while maintaining consistent heating performance throughout each transition.

DREO also showcased its latest fanless convection heating technology, extending its heating innovation with a quieter solution designed to deliver more even and longer-lasting warmth through natural heat circulation. Together, these latest heating technologies reflect DREO’s continued focus on advancing airflow innovation to create more adaptive home comfort experiences.

DREO Brings Industry Leaders Together to Explore the Future of Home Wellness

As part of its “AIR, Mastered” showcase at IFA 2026, DREO hosted the IFA Dream Stage panel, “How Air, Connectivity and Intelligence Bridge the Last Mile of Home Wellness,” bringing together leaders from the connectivity, smart home and digital health industries to explore how AI, open ecosystems and intelligent air management can create more adaptive and human-centered home wellness experiences.

Moderated by Anna Heim, Freelance Journalist and Moderator at TechCrunch, the discussion featured Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), Martin Müller, Sales Director and General Manager, Europe at DREO, and Spiros Andreou, Head of Global Industry & Technology Partnerships at Polar. Together, the panel explored how the industry can move beyond basic device connectivity toward intelligent systems that better understand home environments, coordinate across devices and respond to people’s everyday needs.

Highlighting DREO’s vision for the future of home wellness, Martin Müller said, “People rarely think about the air around them until something feels wrong. Yet it influences how we sleep, work, recover and live every day. The future of home wellness begins with making air more intelligent.”

The panel also highlighted the importance of open interoperability and cross-industry collaboration in enabling the next generation of connected home experiences. Richardson emphasized that Matter provides a foundation for devices to work together seamlessly, allowing the industry to focus on creating better user experiences rather than simply connecting products. Andreou added that bringing together environmental intelligence and physiological insights creates new opportunities to better understand people’s everyday wellbeing and deliver more personalized home wellness experiences.

The discussion reflects DREO’s continued commitment to working with industry partners to advance a more open, intelligent and connected future for home wellness.

DREO Continues to Expand Its Presence Across Europe

Europe has become one of DREO’s fastest-growing markets, with sales volume increasing 142% year over year in the first half of 2026 and revenue growing 156%, further strengthening the company’s momentum across key markets including Germany, the United Kingdom and France.

The United Kingdom has become one of DREO’s strongest-performing markets, where the company has ranked No. 1 on Amazon UK in both the Tower Fan and Space Heater categories for two consecutive years, accounting for 22% of the Amazon UK tower fan market and 15% of the space heater market. Building on its online success, DREO expanded into offline retail through Argos in 2025 and has since built a retail and online network spanning 71 channels across 16 European countries. Key retail partners across major European markets include Argos, Costco UK, Currys and Boots in the UK; Expert, Euronics and MediaMarkt in Germany; Fnac Darty and Leroy Merlin in France; Fnac, Leroy Merlin, MediaMarkt and Bauhaus in Spain; and Euronics, MediaWorld and Unieuro in Italy.

“Europe continues to be one of DREO’s most important growth markets,” said Martin Müller, Sales Director and General Manager, Europe at DREO. “We remain committed to investing in product innovation, local partnerships and long-term market development to deliver intelligent air comfort experiences that better serve European consumers.”

Building on this momentum, DREO will continue expanding its European business through product innovation, broader retail availability and a growing connected ecosystem, further advancing its vision of intelligent home wellness powered by DREO Air Intelligence.

DREO’s latest innovations are showcased throughout IFA 2026 at Hall 9, Stand 130, where visitors can experience the new DREO Air Purifier lineup, explore DREO Air Intelligence, preview next-generation heating technologies, and discover DREO’s latest air comfort portfolio designed for the European market.

For more information, please visit DREO.

About DREO

DREO is a leading global smart home and lifestyle appliance brand. Founded in 2021 by a team of engineers, the company develops intelligent solutions for indoor air management (ventilation, air conditioning, heating) and smart kitchen environments. By pairing precision engineering, featuring proprietary technology like ECO energy-saving algorithms and HyperSilent™ ultra-quiet operation, with contemporary design, DREO transforms home comfort into a seamless, accessible experience.

With a global retail footprint of over 34,000 partner stores and a top-rated smart app (4.9/5 stars across 500,000+ monthly active users), DREO is redefining home comfort. Ranked #1 in both the tower fan and space heater categories, with over 250,000 units sold in the UK in H1 2026, DREO has established itself as one of the fastest-growing challengers in the connected appliance sector. DREO has successfully expanded its retail presence in the UK through key partnerships with leading consumer electronics giants Argos and Currys, bringing its innovative home comfort solutions to even more consumers nationwide.

For more information, visit https://uk.dreo.com/

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TCL Inspires Her Greatness at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026

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As a FIBA Global Partner, TCL brings TCLforHer to life through technology-enabled fan experiences that celebrate women athletes, connect fans, and extend the energy of the game beyond the court.

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 takes place in Berlin this September, with the world’s top women’s basketball teams competing on the sport’s biggest stage. As a FIBA Global Partner, TCL is bringing its TCLforHer initiative to life at the tournament with a series of technology-enabled fan experiences that let standout performances by women athletes be seen, shared and celebrated by audiences worldwide.

With the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 taking place in Berlin alongside IFA 2026, TCL is using this rare meeting of global sport and consumer technology to connect the energy of the court with the future of smart living.

“The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup is a powerful platform for celebrating the confidence, resilience and teamwork that define women’s basketball,” said Wei Xue, Vice President and ESG Director of TCL Technology and Chairman of the TCL Charity Foundation. “Through TCLforHer and our partnership with FIBA, TCL is using technology not only to enhance the fan experience, but also to help the stories and achievements of women athletes inspire more women around the world.”

TCLforHer Champions Women’s Sport On and Off the Court

During the tournament, the TCL Player of the Game award will honor standout performances across 36 games, recognizing the skill, strength, leadership and resilience shown on the court.

Beyond the court, TCL’s commitment to celebrating women’s achievements extends through TCLforHer, a global initiative launched in 2021 that brings together technology, sport, and education to support women’s personal development. Through FIBA’s “Her World, Her Rules,” TCL encourages girls and women to build confidence, challenge limitations and pursue their potential through sport.

From the Court to the Living Room, TCL Brings Elite Sport Closer to Fans

TCL’s support is visible throughout the tournament through courtside advertising boards, on-court decals, media backdrops and a dedicated fan interactive booth at Berlin Arena, while fan activations—including TCL Lucky Frame, giant TIFO display and TV giveaways—turn live game highlights into memorable fan moments.

 

Outside the arena, TCL is extending the passion of the game to home entertainment and mobile through TVs, RayNeo glasses, and mobile devices. Whether watching the game on a large living-room screen, exploring more personal viewing through wearable displays, or following and sharing moments on mobile devices, TCL is bringing the game’s energy into more everyday settings through a richer range of on-screen experiences.

Inspiring Greatness Through Global Sports Engagement

Sport is a key pillar of TCL’s global brand strategy and a shared language through which it creates emotional connections with audiences across cultures. Spanning football, basketball, American football, esports, and more, TCL is building a global partnership network that connects fans with world-class sport.

As an Official Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner and FIBA Global Partner, TCL brings international sporting moments into everyday life through its display technologies, smart home appliances, and smart living experiences. Beyond these global sports platforms, TCL is also connecting with fans locally through football partnerships with major European national teams and clubs, creating more everyday touchpoints for fans to experience their favorite sports and teams. Together, these partnerships help TCL bring fans closer to their favorite athletes and teams, igniting more moments that Inspire Greatness every day.

About TCL

Founded in 1981, TCL—short for “The Creative Life”—is dedicated to empowering smarter, healthier lifestyles through next-generation experiences. Operating through two independent entities, TCL Industries and TCL Technology, TCL delivers innovative solutions spanning TVs, smartphones, audio products, smart home devices, display technologies, and clean energy.

Today, with 50 R&D centers and 47 manufacturing bases globally, TCL operates in over 160 countries and regions, reinforcing its position as a globally competitive smart technology brand. To further inspire greatness, TCL has become an official Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner in the Home Audiovisual Equipment and Home Appliances category. 

https://www.tcl.com/global/en 

 

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Zendure Wins Double Honors at the Global Product Technology Innovation Awards 2026, with SolarFlow 4000 Mix Pro Taking Gold

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At IFA 2026 in Berlin, Zendure’s flagship SolarFlow 4000 Mix Pro earns the Sustainable Home Energy Storage System Gold Award, while Zendure receives the Smart Energy Solutions Brand Award.

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zendure, a global pioneer of plug-in home energy management systems (HEMS), announced that it has received two honors at the Global Product Technology Innovation Awards 2026. Its flagship home storage system, the SolarFlow 4000 Mix Pro, won the Sustainable Home Energy Storage System Gold Award, while Zendure was named a winner of the Smart Energy Solutions Brand Award. Presented during the opening days of IFA 2026 in Berlin, the two awards recognize Zendure’s focus on the clean-energy storage sector and its lightweight, intelligent, and low-carbon approach to powering the home.

Sustainable Home Energy Storage System Gold Award — SolarFlow 4000 Mix Pro

The SolarFlow 4000 Mix Pro is a 4 kW bidirectional AC, AI-driven, all-in-one plug-in home energy storage system that brings home-storage-grade capacity and power to a plug-in form factor. A single unit scales from 8 kWh to 50 kWh, and up to 150 kWh when paired with Zendure’s PowerHub accepts up to 13 kW of total solar input, making it well-suited to larger homes, heat pumps, and EV charging. Combined with rooftop solar, it can reduce household electricity costs by up to 91%, equivalent to around €2,560 a year in a typical German scenario.

Smart Energy Solutions Brand Award — Zendure

The Smart Energy Solutions Brand Award recognizes Zendure’s broader leadership in intelligent home energy. Zendure’s SolarFlow ecosystem scales seamlessly from plug-and-play storage to whole-home energy management. At its core is Agentic HEMS, which draws on consumption, solar, weather, and dynamic-pricing data to automate energy decisions, shift usage to lower-cost periods, and cut household electricity costs, a clear step toward the company’s vision of becoming the home energy hub of the AI era.

Zendure is showcasing the SolarFlow 4000 Mix Pro and its full ZEN + Home ecosystem at IFA 2026, Hall 2.2, Stand 124, from September 4 to 8 in Berlin.

About Zendure

Driven by our purpose to accelerate a sustainable future, Zendure is a global pioneer of plug-in HEMS. With R&D and operations centers spanning major tech hubs like Silicon Valley and the Greater Bay Area, alongside Japan and Germany, our vision is to become The Home Energy Hub of the AI Era. Zendure’s mission is to empower every household worldwide with the ultimate freedom of energy control. We deliver this through the SolarFlow ecosystem—combining modular storage, intelligent power management, and flexible solar input. Scaling seamlessly from plug-and-play and retrofit storage to whole-home energy management, SolarFlow maximizes self-consumption, reduces grid dependence, and ensures reliable backup.

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SOURCE Zendure

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