May 4, 2023 – Page 2 – Mayotte Wire

May 4, 2023

Hitachi Energy, the partner of choice for largest-ever HVDC wind energy project in U.S.

The SunZia Transmission Project, enabled by HVDC Light®, links New Mexico’s wind farms to Arizona’s grid, increasing renewable energy to the Western States.

Zurich, Switzerland, May 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zurich, Switzerland, May 4, 2023 – Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, has been selected by Pattern Energy to supply its high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and other advanced technologies for the SunZia Transmission Project. It will connect the 3,500-megawatt (MW) SunZia Wind project in New Mexico to the power grid in Arizona and Southern California, which will be among the world’s largest transmission links delivering renewable energy.

Hitachi Energy’s HVDC Light^® technology will efficiently transfer and integrate huge volumes of wind power over more than 885 kilometers (550 miles) into the regional power grid. This will significantly increase the availability of sustainable energy for homes and businesses throughout the region.

When complete, SunZia Wind will have a total power capacity of 3,500 MW, enough clean, renewable electricity to provide power to approximately three million Americans.¹ The HVDC link will efficiently transmit up to 3,000 MW of this power west to Arizona. The HVDC Light^® system will be the largest voltage source converter (VSC) installation in the United States, one of the largest worldwide, and one of the country’s longest HVDC connections.

“We are proud to be advancing a sustainable energy future for all in the southwestern United States, enabling Pattern Energy to integrate emission-free electricity into the regional grid serving Arizona and Southern California,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “Our market-leading HVDC technologies combined with our execution expertise makes us the partner of choice to help the U.S. achieve its carbon-neutral targets by efficiently and reliably maximizing its renewable energy resources.”

“Our collaboration with Hitachi Energy is an important milestone for the SunZia Transmission Project and will enable us to harness and carry this great energy potential to the areas where there is a high demand for renewable energy,” said Hunter Armistead, CEO of Pattern Energy. “The use of HVDC technology will enhance power grid reliability and resilience and play a vital role in delivering clean energy and deploying a sustainable energy system in the U.S.”

The SunZia Transmission project is a 3,000 MW HVDC link between Corona, New Mexico and Pinal County, Arizona. Hitachi Energy has already started work on designing and engineering the two HVDC Light^® converter stations, one at either end of the link. The transmitting station converts the power from AC to DC for transport in the overhead lines, then back to AC for integration into the receiving grid.

Hitachi Energy has partnered with Quanta Services, Inc. (Quanta) to provide a turnkey project solution for the SunZia project, including managing the HVDC construction and building installation at the associated project sites. Quanta is an industry leader providing specialized infrastructure solutions to the utility, renewable energy, communications, pipeline, and energy industries. The collaboration with Quanta is designed to leverage the core competencies of the two companies to deliver a best-in-class solution for the project. The HVDC converter stations are expected to be in-service by the end of 2025 to support final testing and commissioning of the SunZia Wind facilities in 2026.

To find the optimal solution that considers the impact of the new facility on the existing grid, a system study and a comprehensive interconnection and system impact analysis were conducted by Hitachi Energy´s expert consultants.

Hitachi Energy will also supply ‘alternating current (AC) chopper’ technology to help restore power if the power flow on the DC line or in the AC grid in Arizona is temporarily interrupted by weather and other contingency events.

Hitachi Energy has delivered more than half of the HVDC projects in North America. These include the Pacific Intertie transmission system, which transfers electricity from the Pacific Northwest to Los Angeles, the Quebec-New England link, which was the first large-scale multi-terminal HVDC transmission system in the world, and the Maritime link, which connects the Islands of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, supporting the integration of renewable energy sources and improving grid stability. The company has also recently announced new HVDC projects including Champlain Hudson Power Express, the Châteauguay converter station modernization with Hydro Quebec, and the InterMountain Power Project.²

Note to editors

Hitachi Energy’s HVDC solution combines world-leading expertise in HVDC converter valves, the MACH digital control platform³ converter power transformers and high-voltage switchgear, as well as in system studies, design and engineering, supply, installation supervision and commissioning.

HVDC Light^® is a voltage source converter technology developed by Hitachi Energy. 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.

1 https://sunzia.net/impact/
2 Hitachi Energy HVDC references North America
3 Modular Advanced Control for HVDC (MACH)

HVDC website:
https://www.hitachienergy.com/offering/product-and-system/hvdc

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About Hitachi Energy Ltd.
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 approximately $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 with data and technology. We will solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, under the business structure of Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries and Automotive Systems. Driven by green, digital, and innovation, we aim for growth through collaboration with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2021 (ended March 31, 2022) totaled 10,264.6 billion yen ($84,136 million USD), with 853 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 370,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

Attachments

Jocelyn Chang
Hitachi Energy
jocelyn.chang@hitachienergy.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8832144

May 4, 2023

FEMA GRAS status for Sweegen’s sweet protein brazzein technology

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., May 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global sweetness and flavor innovator, Sweegen has announced that its highly sought-after sweet protein Ultratia brazzein technology received the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status from the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA).

“Our customers and the industry have eagerly anticipated our brazzein FEMA GRAS status, and now we are excited to offer it as the star sweet protein in our Sweetensify Flavors Collection,” said Luca Giannone, SVP of Sales. “We’re pleased to demonstrate our Ultratia brazzein in the newly launched Sweetensify Flavors Collection at the IFT First trade show in Chicago July 17-19, 2023.”

Brands are encouraged to visit Sweegen’s food and beverage application team at IFT First, the Sweegen booth, located at the South Building — S1619 — IFT, for a sensory experience and learn how it can easily fit into their food and beverage products.

Sweegen is the first to attain FEMA GRAS status and to produce brazzein commercially globally. The designation is important because it allows manufacturers to use Sweegen’s Sweetensify Flavors confidently, including the novel sweet protein brazzein in their product formulations.

Brazzein’s unique characteristics make it special, and its commercialization and scaling have been challenging until now. Brazzein is a rare sweet protein that originates from the fruit of the West African climbing plant, oubli. To produce brazzein sustainably, Sweegen uses a proprietary precision fermentation process, which creates clean high-purity ingredients.

“This important milestone in food and beverage creation symbolizes Sweegen delivering on its promise to brands for opening doors to scalable state-of-the-art technology for creating better-for-everyone food and beverages,” said Hadi Omrani, VP of technical and regulatory affairs. “The FEMA GRAS status is a testament to the safety of brazzein as a flavor modifier that our customers can trust to explore new and exciting taste-modulating solutions.”

Sweetensify Flavors for taste modulation improves and modulates a variety of taste attributes, which can help brands push the boundaries of healthier product innovation. Brazzein’s exceptional formulation qualities inspired Sweegen to launch Sweentisify Flavors in April 2023. It is the newest flavor tool starring its novel sweet protein Ultratia brazzein, which also features thaumatin II and other unique proteins.

“Sweegen’s product development teams have discovered remarkable synergies between Sweetensify Flavors and our Signature Stevia systems,” said Casey McCormick, VP of global innovation.

Sweet proteins like brazzein have an affinity for different taste receptors on the tongue, especially the receptor known as T1R3, which is associated with both umami and sweetness perception. Leveraging this unique attribute, Sweetensify Flavors will enable product developers to maintain the quality of characteristic flavors and sweetness while reducing the amount of sugar they use in products.

“Sweegen’s Ultratia brazzein has received great feedback from our customers during the initial formulations phase and tastings,” said Casey McCormick, VP of global innovation. “Now, the timing of the FEMA GRAS status perfectly coincides with the launch of Sweegen’s Sweetensify Flavors, which offers the best sensory experience in better-for-everyone products.”

Sweegen recently attained FEMA GRAS status for thaumatin II, a sweet protein complementary to brazzein. With the addition of brazzein, Sweegen continues to expand its portfolio of safe and effective taste modulating flavors that can help food and beverage manufacturers meet the demand for healthier and delicious products to align with consumers’ holistic approaches to wellness.

About Sweegen

Sweegen provides sweet-taste solutions for food and beverage manufacturers around the world.
We are on a mission to reduce sugar and artificial sweeteners in the global diet. Partnering with customers, we create delicious zero-sugar products that consumers love. With the best modern sweeteners in our portfolio, such as Bestevia® Rebs B, D, E, I, M, and N, and sweet proteins brazzein and thaumatin, along with our deep knowledge of flavor modulators and texturants, Sweegen delivers market-leading solutions that customers want, and consumers prefer. Well. Into the Future.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1996. Sweegen’s actual results may differ from the estimates, assumptions, and other illustrative material contained herein, and consequently, a reader should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, illustrative information regarding Sweegen’s bottom-up assumed market potential, assumed hit rate, and the resulting revenue based on these model inputs. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results.

Industry, Market, and Other Data
In this press release, we rely on and refer to information and statistics regarding market participants in the sectors in which Sweegen competes and other data. We obtained this information and statistics from our own internal estimates and third-party sources, including reports by market research firms and company filings. We do not expressly refer to these sources. All of this information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and the sources of such information cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. The industry in which Sweegen operates is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of important factors, any of which could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by Sweegen or third parties.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, among other statements, statements regarding the future prospects for Reb M stevia leaf sweetener, brazzein, and thaumatin. These statements are based on current expectations, but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond Sweegen’s control.

Relevant risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements and therefore should be carefully considered. Sweegen assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.

Attachments

Ana Arakelian, Head of Public Relations and Communications
Sweegen
+1.949.709.0583
ana.arakelian@sweegen.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8831913

May 4, 2023

Mundemba: 3 separatist fighters drop weapons

Mundemba village is reportedly calm again after 3 separatist fighters dropped their weapons and declared they are ready to move into the Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration centre(DDR) in Buea.

The Chief of Mundemba says it has not been easy to convince the men, mostly from Toko village, to give peace a chance and he added that he hopes many more will follow suit in the coming weeks.

Mundemba has been on of the hardest hit in the South West region by the socio-political crisis as numerous businesses have crumbled over the years.

“Usually you put just a litre of petrol in a day and you still cannot finish it. No passengers. Everyone was indoors so to feed became an issue but things are slowing down and gradually getting back to normal,” Denis a bike rider reports.

“The town has come back to the way it used to be. All the internally displaced persons who had left have returned home. Now we have the village booming and slowly it will get safe again,” Pa Njikecy Peter added.

The people of Mundemba village are equally pleading with authorities to fix the road leading to Toko village and Ekondo Titi so they can easily leave their village to cultivate and harvest more farm produce so poverty and hunger can reduce.

“We now even have forces of law and order who patrol around and check every site. We feel a little bit safe now compared to previous years and we are so happy that our children have understood the importance of peace,” Numundem Pascal, another inhabitant of the village adds.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

May 4, 2023

“100,000frs for 58 journalists, no journalism in Cameroon”

Journalists in Cameroon joined their colleagues around the world to celebrate World Press Freedom Day this May 03, 2023. On this occasion, these media men and women have expressed some of their worries as far as the job is concerned in Cameroon.

A journalist who was part of the Buea flood incident coverage says he was present when the territorial administration boss visited the flood victims:

“We were actually disrespected and given about 100,000 francs to be shared amongst close to 60 journalists from different media houses. We journalists, have been neglected and disrespected several times.”

The Cameroon Association of English speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) advised journalists in Cameroon to seek information, process it and make it available to the public in a timely and unbiased manner. This was during a meeting held in Yaounde on May 02, 2023 in prelude to the clebration of the world press freedom day. Jean Vincent Tchinebom a journalist with 57 years of experience in the profession during the Camasej meeting called on all journalists to be determined to restorre the ethics of the profession in spite of the difficulties encountered in the country.

Some journalists complained that Cameroon talks of freedom of speech whereas the reality on the gorund shows there is no freedom

“The case of Martinez is a clear and scary way of saying there is freedom of speech to all journalists who do not love their lives. I love my life and I think journalism in Cameroon still needs much work. We are media men yes, but we are scared to speak for fear of the unknown,” a journalist explained.

“We have thousands of newly opened media houses in Cameroon yes and I like the new developments but to talk of how much journalist are being paid is a total shame. 40,000 francs a month usually turns into a fight often between bosses and their employees. Sometimes journalists are invited to programs and are given 10,000frs as transportation fare which is diminishing,” another journalist adds.

This edition of the world press freedom day is being celebrated at a time when the government of Cameroon is yet to make a clear verdict known on the gruesome murder of investigative journalist Martinez Zogo.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

May 4, 2023

Mbanga D.O. blames matouké chiefs for May 1 attacks

The Divisional Officer of Mbanga, Nkefor Christian, has said the three security elements and the bike rider who were killed on May 1 in Matouké in the Moungo division by suspected separatist fighters from the Fako division of the South West region was as a result of zero collaboration of the traditional rulers, neighborhood heads as well as natives.

He vehemently declared this during a crisis meeting he chaired on May 2.

“What makes it so difficult for you the chiefs, quarter heads and your population to collaborate with security officials? What is difficult in doing so?” The D.O angrily asked.

“Collaboration is giving vital information. What I need from you is identifying. Identify among your subjects suspects and report to the forces of law and order or the administration. Identify because the attackers can’t enter here without passing through several people among you and you must know them. Why is it that you don’t want to denounce them? Use your guys, your elements you are talking about and denounce them!”

The civil administrator added that the time for leniency is over and it is now time for sanctions to reign.

“You need to take your responsibilities into your hands because from now we will take severe actions. That issue of village council should be abolished from today. The chiefs should work hand in gloves with the chief of blocs, so much so that you know what is happening in each bloc. If you were working with them you would have had information on happenings.”

As a security measure, the D.O officer ordered the main road leading in Matouké village to be enlarged.

“Chiefs from Matouké to Kotto Up, as you are going back today, see into it that farms that are beside the road should be opened to at least 2km irrespective of what has been planted there. It should be free, everything should be down,” Nkefor Christian emphasized.

The D.O. also announced he will visit the scene where the three security elements and bike rider were ambushed.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

May 4, 2023

Bafoussam: kidnap attempt fails

The alleged kidnapper of 5-year-old Tiossock Tchouala Ezekiel, has been arrested this May 3rd by elements of the Bafoussam Judicial Police.

The commercial motorcycle rider reportedly kidnapped the child at their family residence in Kouogouo, a neighborhood in Bafoussam on Tuesday May 2nd and took him to an unknown destination. A family source says the child was returning from school when the tragic incident occurred.

“The bike rider intercepted the child as he was returning from school telling him that his mother wanted him to measure a pair of shoes she bought in the market. The little boy without hesitating, immediately climbed the bike,” narrates a source close to Ezekiel’s parents.

“The child was with his older brother who was not attentive enough when the incident occurred. The older brother was only surprised seeing Ezekiel on a bike going. That is how he alerted neighbors who also informed their parents,” the source adds.

The kidnapper and his team later called the boy’s parents, demanding the sum of FCFA 4 million which was paid for his release. Alerted of the situation, elements of the Bafoussam Judicial Police immediately launched an investigation by tracking the call. The kidnapper then fell into the dragnet of security forces after he had succeeded to withdraw the money according to security sources.

His arrest led to the capture of other gang members who are gnashing their teeth behind bars.

This situation is not the first of its kind in the region. Last year at Government Bilingual High Bafoussam, a man declared he was a manual labor teacher to gain access to the school where he successfully kidnapped a child.

Source: Cameroon News Agency