The triple-digit heat in Phoenix makes it difficult to farm — everything from growing crops to tending livestock.
There is a solution that cools off the land while also providing sustainable energy — agrivoltaics. That’s a fancy term that means using large solar panels to provide shade. Of course, such a large undertaking requires a lot of funding that’s hard to come by.
One farm in the Valley adopted agrivoltaics nearly a year ago.
Maya’s Farm is an organic farm run by Maya Dailey. Dailey acquired the farm in 2006 and grew its space from one and one-quarter acres to the eight acres it measures today. The farm focuses on producing crops like carrots and arugula without the use of fertilizers. The farm also has livestock like chickens.
The food that is produced at Maya’s Farm is collected by Community Supported Agriculture, a system that works to combine the produce of a variety of small, local farms to be sold at farmer’s markets.
In 2022, Maya’s Farm became a conservation easement with the support of the City of Phoenix and the nonprofit Central Arizona Land Trust. A conservation easement is a piece of land set aside specifically for one purpose. This land’s purpose is to continue to provide Phoenix with space for sustainable agriculture.
Dailey talked about her commitment to the environment.
“It’s a commodity that we take advantage of it. We use it, use it, use it, use it and abuse it. And then we don’t do anything to give back to that,” said Dailey.
Dailey used diesel-powered generators For 17 years to cover her electric needs. Diesel generators typically can run from eight to 24 hours before needing to be refilled. Maya had to change her generators every six hours.
“I had three of them, and we would just change them in and out. Sometimes we’d leave one on all night. A lot, a lot of, and man hours, too,” she said.
Almost five years ago, the Arizona Sustainability Alliance, known as AZSA, came to Maya with a possible solution to her problem: agrivoltaics.
Agrivoltaics is the use of solar panels in agriculture. Agrivoltaics has been seen to solve both the problem of the lack of space for renewable energy and agriculture by combining them on the same plot of land, typically by installing panels either above or below crops.
Michele Caporali is an external affairs associate with the Nature Conservancy. She was the programs director and education programs manager of AZSA for a year and worked closely on the agrivoltaics project.
“It’s beneficial for the plants. Um, you know, those, you know, those mutualistic relationships that you can get between the plants and the solar panels is great. Um, those plants will cool the solar panels and they’re now able to run more efficiently and they provide some shade when everything around here is cooking at 120 degrees outside,” said Caporali.
The agrivoltaics project at Maya’s Farm went through countless changes throughout its five-year process. The project was funded through grant money and was a partnership with graduate students from the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University. Dailey said that there were many ideas thrown around by the students, but a few years into the project, AZSA and Dailey ran into issues with getting zoning permits from the city of Phoenix and the project stalled.
“The funders were going to pull the resources if we didn’t get the project done at a certain time. And, um, everybody was panicking. I was upset cause we’d worked so hard on it. We didn’t want to lose it,” said Dailey.
The project was finished just over a year ago and has so far benefitted both Maya’s wallet and the farm’s impact on the environment.
“It costs me $25 a month, uh, which is great. As opposed to 700 with the diesel, with the generators. I was running it on generators. So, we lessened our carbon footprint, we decreased our overhead, and we are able to then navigate an educational program with Arizona Sustainability Alliance,” said Dailey.
The limitation of this renewable power project comes down to the resource it depends on, the sun. In locations with frequent cloudy weather, collecting energy from the sun can be difficult. Additionally, some crops like basil or lavender, need direct sunlight to grow.
In urban spaces like Phoenix, it can take quite a while to get an agrivoltaics project started, especially when someone is trying to get a project like Maya’s Farm started through a city government that supports nearly 2 million people.
“If we want to shift … environmental change, agricultural change, the change for our health.” “I mean, we need our communities to pull together and our voices to stand strong together,” Dailey said.
Data about the agrivoltaics project on Maya’s farm is still being collected. Additionally, Dailey has decided to take a season off from growing to focus on getting sustainability into classrooms and to take more time for herself.
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University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory researchers will have a hand in two of the three instruments NASA selected for deployment on the lunar surface by Artemis III astronauts.
Once installed near the moon’s South Pole, the instruments will collect valuable scientific data about the lunar environment, the lunar interior and how to sustain a long-duration human presence on the moon, which will help prepare NASA to send astronauts to Mars.
The instruments were specifically chosen because of their unique installation requirements that necessitate deployment by humans during moonwalks, a NASA press release explained. All three payloads were selected for further development towards flight on Artemis III, which is targeted to launch in 2026. Final manifesting decisions about the mission will be determined at a later date. Members of these payload teams will become members of NASA’s Artemis III science team.
Artemis III, the first mission to return astronauts to the surface of the moon in more than 50 years, will explore the south polar region of the moon. Several proposed landing regions for the mission are located amid some of the oldest parts of the moon. Together with the permanently shadowed regions, they provide the opportunity to learn about the history of the moon through previously unstudied lunar materials.
Mapping moonquakes
Dani DellaGiustina, assistant professor of planetary sciences in the UArizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, is working as part of the team to design and build two seismometers for the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station, or LEMS. One will be tuned to detect deep moonquakes and the other to detect shallow moonquakes.
“I am stoked because I have been working for years to develop seismic instruments not just for the moon, but also for asteroids and other bodies like Europa,” DellaGiustina said. “So, to see one of them make it to the next step, which is flight opportunity, is really exciting.”
LEMS is led by Mehdi Benna from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. NASA Goddard will build and operate LEMS. DellaGiustina is a co-investigator along with Hop Bailey, a UArizona Space Institute program manager, and Angela Marusiak, anassistant research professor of planetary sciences. Veronica Bray, associate research professor in planetary sciences, is assisting with science operations.
LEMS is a compact, autonomous seismometer suite designed to carry out continuous, long-term monitoring of ground motion from moonquakes, in the lunar south polar region. The instrument will characterize the regional structure of the moon’s crust and mantle, which will add valuable information to lunar formation and evolution models. LEMS is intended to operate on the lunar surface from three months up to two years and may become a key station in a future global lunar geophysical network.
Moonquakes have a few sources, including the same gravitational tug between the moon and Earth that causes ocean tides. Also, in the same way that houses creak as temperatures rise, the moon trembles as it expands and contracts in response to dramatic temperature swings.
“The big difference between the Earth and the moon is the moon does not have plate tectonics. There is some evidence of faults on the moon, however,” Marusiak said. “One of our goals is to figure out if those faults are active and how active they are, and if they could cause a risk for the astronauts or their habitats.”
Lastly, the researchers also anticipate that LEMS will detect meteor impacts.
Treasures beneath the surface
Erik Asphaug, professor of planetary sciences in the UArizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, is a collaborator on the Lunar Dielectric Analyzer, or LDA, which will reveal what lies a meter deep in the moon’s regolith, which is airless soil.
“As a child of the Apollo era, I find it amazing to be part of this adventure to put an instrument on the moon,” Asphaug said. “I’ve always been a big fan of radio and radar techniques to find out what’s inside of things. I’m most excited to see if the regolith near the south pole has active frost.”
LDA will measure how the moon’s regolith responds to an electric field, which depends on porosity and the presence of volatiles – substances that evaporate – especially ice. It will gather essential information about the structure of the moon’s subsurface and monitor whether volatiles migrate as the LDA goes in and out of shadow.
Hideaki “Hirdy” Miyamoto – a University of Tokyo professor, Planetary Science Institute affiliated scientist and adjunct professor at the University of Adelaide – leads the LDA, which is supported by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
“Different materials propagate radio signals at different speeds,” Asphaug said, “so when you send a signal and measure its reflection, its speed tells you about composition and porosity. This will be important not only for lunar science, but for establishing a permanent human presence on the moon.”
With the Artemis campaign, NASA will land the first woman, first person of color and its first international partner astronaut on the moon, and establish long-term exploration for scientific discovery and preparation for human missions to Mars for the benefit of all.
“It is exciting to see a new generation of Lunar and Planetary Laboratory scientists build on our legacy of lunar exploration, dating back to even before Apollo,” said Mark Marley, the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory director. “Our first major research program was to map the moon. Now we are helping send instruments to detect what lies beneath that surface.”
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The Coalition for Green Capital (CGC), PRE Collective, and Quantified Ventures (QV) jointly announce their selection of six green banks from across the United States to receive $1.3 million in grants plus technical assistance to build a pipeline of equitable clean water infrastructure projects that directly benefit disadvantaged communities. This funding and technical assistance is a key component of an investment made by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in a strategic collaboration between CGC, PRE Collective, and QV to develop scalable financing programs for equitable water infrastructure.
CGC, QV, and PRE Collective are deploying their collective expertise to leverage the RWJF investment to support project development, provide technical assistance for implementation, and fund local staff capacity. These grants are among the programs to be implemented by CGC’s extensive green bank network to address water-related challenges, including clean drinking water, stormwater management, and flooding in disadvantaged communities. Green banks have a proven track record of removing perceived barriers and massively scaling up investments toward clean energy technology and these grants will lead the effort to replicate this approach for clean water investments to rapidly deliver benefits to communities most impacted by a changing climate.
This announcement follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent selection of Coalition for Green Capital for an award of $5 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s National Clean Investment Fund competition to establish a national green bank. CGC’s national green bank represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shift financing interest toward other climate mitigation efforts, such as clean water infrastructure by reinforcing the critical role that green banks must play to reduce emissions, cut costs, and create jobs in communities across the country.
The six green bank initiatives that will each receive approximately $216,000 in grant funding and technical assistance are:
The Connecticut Green Bank, together with Blue Hills Civic Association and other community partners and stakeholders, will focus on opportunities to invest in equitable and climate resilient water infrastructure in Hartford. The Green Bank aims to increase stormwater management through both natural (i.e., parks) and built (i.e., homes) infrastructure solutions, to help revitalize Hartford’s parks as public health infrastructure, and to empower residents to access green solutions to increase their climate preparedness and resilience. To accomplish this the bank will leverage its Smart-E and Capital Solutions programs, expanding their financing capabilities from clean energy to include environmental infrastructure.
The DC Green Bank invests in sustainable water infrastructure projects across the District and plans to leverage this opportunity to expand access to capital and community partnerships. The bank will partner with communities in Wards 5, 7, and 8 to identify water infrastructure solutions that match their needs. Potential projects include water efficiency upgrades in affordable, multi-family housing, on-site renewable energy at local DC Water facilities, and community-based green infrastructure improvements.
Groundswell Capital‘s vision includes growing existing initiatives, such as Tucson’s Tree Equity and Storm to Shade projects, integrating cutting-edge water conservation methods into affordable housing developments, and delivering sustainable, cost-effective water-saving solutions for underserved residents. These planned initiatives extend beyond merely tackling an environmental crisis; they represent a pledge to forge a sustainable future for all Arizonans. Arizona is grappling with a severe water shortage, the result of a 22-year ‘megadrought’ impacting the Colorado River that provides almost 40% of the state’s water. This pressing situation calls for urgent action, particularly in underserved communities.
The Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority is planning to work with disadvantaged communities across the state to address water quality issues stemming from cesspools, explore energy-neutral on-site water reuse facilities, on-farm water efficiency measures, and water conservation measures that reduce residents’ energy burden. Hawai’i faces unique challenges given its remote location, geography, and prevalence of tourism.
Missouri Green Banc (MGB) is focused on helping disadvantaged communities overcome the persistent challenges they face by identifying and investing in the mitigation of barriers that prevent the implementation of sustainable solutions. The MGB will utilize Missouri DNR permit data and Missouri Rural Water Association benchmarking data to identify underperforming small public and private water systems in disadvantaged communities where investment in new infrastructure could have a significant impact.
Based in Florida, SELF (Solar Energy Loan Fund) is the nation’s first nonprofit Green Bank – Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that has a long history of expanding access to financing for disadvantaged communities through its inclusive underwriting methodology that is based on the applicant’s ability to pay, not credit scores. SELF is planning to explore an expansion of its existing wastewater treatment programs, while also exploring new avenues for impact.
Comments from Awardees
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In an ambitious move that marks a significant milestone following its extraordinary growth within the first year of operation, Content at Scale — the revolutionary AI SEO writing company that was one of the first in the world to launch undetectable AI content as a service and software — announced the establishment of its new headquarters in Raintree Corporate Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. This strategic relocation brings together talent from across the globe to innovate under one roof.
Justin McGill, CEO, visionary force and original innovator behind Content at Scale’s cutting-edge technology, shared his enthusiasm: “Building our headquarters in Scottsdale isn’t just about creating a space for our team; it’s about laying down roots in a community that embraces innovation. We’re here to set new benchmarks for what AI can achieve not just in content and marketing, but augmenting and 10x’ing our modern-day workforce.”
Julia McCoy, President of Content at Scale, nine-time bestselling author and content marketing leader transitioning to AI from ten years of leading a human-driven content agency, added: “Leaving my hometown of Texas for Arizona to build the future symbolizes more than just a change of scenery. It represents my commitment to being part of something transformative alongside Justin and our incredible team. Together, we are not only advancing technological boundaries, but also contributing significantly to local economic vitality in the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale areas.”
The company has signed a lease for a 6,000 square-foot office space within Raintree Corporate Center, signifying its long-term investment into both its operational capacity and community engagement efforts. With plans already underway, this move will generate up to 100 job opportunities for AI engineers, innovative marketing professionals and others.
Content at Scale AI Director, Jeff Joyce, will be moving from South Carolina to Arizona to work with the team. Relocating to Greater Phoenix from international locations include Chief Revenue Officer Ben Harper, who has a decade of experience in sales and business development from England, and Chief Design Officer Simon Ogilvie-Lee, moving from Australia and coming in with a track record as one of the top 3% of UX designers on freelance platforms. The team is moving into Scottsdale for the value of proximity in their new in-person office headquarters and real-time collaboration with the community.
“Content at Scale is situated perfectly in Scottsdale, according to all my friendly AI sources,” said Scottsdale Mayor David D. Ortega. “Thanks to GPEC for their work to connect Scottsdale with another outstanding tech-focused company. Wishing good fortune to our newest community members at Content at Scale.”
As part of its ongoing mission to integrate seamlessly into Scottsdale’s vibrant economy while fostering local talents’ development, Content at Scale plans on adding substantial value through innovative solutions poised to reshape how businesses leverage SEO driven content. Content at Scale’s leadership team recently joined the Arizona Tech Council, and looks forward to meeting more peers in the local community.
“Greater Phoenix, known for its entrepreneurial spirit, pursuit of innovation and leadership in advanced technology, is a fitting landing spot for this pioneering software company,” said Greater Phoenix Economic Council President & CEO Chris Camacho. “Content at Scale will find plentiful growth opportunities in Scottsdale, and it will help the region gain an edge in creative AI application and content production.”
In celebration of this new beginning, Content at Scale invites the community to join Julia McCoy’s book launch on May 1, 2024, from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Raintree Corporate Center community room. The event will feature the debut of McCoy’s latest work, Joy of Failure: How Experiencing Failure Can Bring Massive Breakthroughs for the Entrepreneur in Finding True Joy, Identity, and Vision. Co-authored with Chris Evans, a renowned figure in advertising and traffic generation behind the largest ad agency in the world valued at $70M, the book is a must-read for entrepreneurs seeking insight and inspiration.
Attendees will enjoy an evening of networking, refreshments, and the opportunity to receive a FREE signed copy of the book, while supplies last.
Don’t miss this chance to meet Julia McCoy and Chris Evans, the Content at Scale team, and immerse yourself in the insights that have shaped their success. Join us in celebrating innovation, resilience, and the future of content creation.
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Arizona State University is using a $5 million grant to launch a new center for experiential, video game-based education.
The Endless Games and Learning Lab is part of ASU’s “Realm 5” initiative, which brings together technology and advanced research through global partnerships to create accessible, intense, personalized learning experiences. Those experiences involve making and playing games, and the lab is envisioned as a place to foster professional development and academic growth.
ASU President Michael Crow announced the lab earlier this week at the ASU + GSV Summit put on by the university and Global Silicon Valley.
“The Endless Games and Learning Lab represents a whole new era in education,” ASU President Michael Crow said in a statement. “By merging cutting-edge technology and engaging game environments, the Endless Lab will redefine the future of games, learning and opportunity, and empower individuals and communities around the world.”
The grant money for ASU’s latest innovation comes from Endless Network, which describes itself as a global network of companies, foundations, nonprofits and others promoting technology to improve lives. It aims to use games to advance education and seeks to widen access to devices and broadband.
“Endless Network empowers the next generation to succeed in the digital economy,” the network’s founder and CEO Matt Dalio said in a statement. “We share ASU’s commitment to harnessing the transformative power of game design to advance learning across multiple disciplines. Endless Lab has the potential to enable millions of students to become creators through scalable game-based learning experiences.”
The Endless Lab will be part of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts and will be located in Mesa at ASU’s Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center. The university’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and Thunderbird School of Global Management will all be involved in the lab.
ASU said the lab’s approach is based on John Dewey’s educational philosophy focused on a learner’s everyday experience, rather than on a top-down approach. Crow emphasized the need for new educational technology as well as new approaches in mentorship, peer learning, assessment and curricular design.
“Almost half a billion global youth between the ages of 15 and 30 are not in school or are unemployed,” Crow said. “Existing systems of education don’t meet learners where they are. As educators, we must find ways to build personalized learning and work pathways that are integrated into the interests, habits and lives of young people.”
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Trico Electric Cooperative was one of five cooperatives across the country selected by the USDA to move forward in the award process for the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program.
Trico’s application includes four renewable energy and battery energy storage projects designed to provide cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions for its members in Southern Arizona. Trico’s projects include the following:
• Arivaca Rural Microgrid: A microgrid with 3MW of solar generation and 3MW/12MWh of battery storage capacity, designed to serve the load of approximately 620 residents in Arivaca. A microgrid is a power system that can be detached from the main electric grid either full time or for a specific event, like a power outage. This project is designed to use renewable energy and battery technology to improve reliability and resilience, especially during extreme weather events like monsoons.
• Trico Standalone Battery Energy Storage System: This 10MW/40MWh battery storage system will help Trico manage its peaks and save members money by charging the battery when solar energy is plentiful and prices are low and discharging energy during peaks when market prices are high. The project will be on the northwest side of Trico’s service territory where rapid growth is increasing demand.
• Avion Solar and Battery Energy Storage Facility II: A facility with 10MW of solar generation and 10MW/40MWh of battery storage capacity, designed to provide cost-effective and sustainable renewable energy for Trico Members. The project will be near Trico’s existing Avion Solar and Battery Energy Storage Facility in Marana, and will be capable of powering about 2,500 homes.
• Valencia Solar and Battery Energy Storage Facility: A facility with 10MW of solar generation and 10MW/40MWh of battery storage capacity, designed to provide cost-effective and sustainable renewable energy for Trico members, including the Pascua Yaqui Nation. The project will be located near Trico’s Valencia Substation and will be capable of powering about 2,500 homes.
Trico expects to develop and build the PACE projects over the next five years working with regional partners and the community to locate the projects and maximize their effectiveness. Development work will start immediately.
“PACE is a big win for Trico members and Southern Arizona and we are excited to be working with USDA and RUS,” said Brian Heithoff, Trico’s chief executive officer and general manager.
“The projects Trico is planning to build will provide cost-effective, sustainable energy solutions and benefit our members for decades to come.”
Trico Electric Cooperative Inc. is a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving nearly 50,000 members in Marana, Corona de Tucson, SaddleBrooke, Mount Lemmon, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Three Points, Star Valley and Arivaca.
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Whether you are in the market for a new home or ready to upgrade your current residence, investing in energy-efficient home improvements could help you save money thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.
Signed into law in August 2022, the federally funded Inflation Reduction Act includes a record $370 billion reserved spending for energy initiatives, including significant tax credits, rebates and other incentives for homeowners who replace or upgrade their HVAC systems, appliances and insulation. Combined with additional state, local and manufacturer’s programs, these energy-efficient home improvements can help you save considerably at tax time — and lower your utility bills in the long run.
When you’re ready to enhance your home’s efficiency, here’s what you need to know:
Energy-Efficient Home Improvement Credit: Beginning with products installed on Jan. 1, 2023, and extending through the end of 2032, energy tax credits have been expanded from previous programs with increased cost-saving values. They now offer homeowners a rebate up to 30% of eligible expenses up to $1,200 per year each year that the program is active. Homeowners considering an energy-efficient heat pump can save even more money with an additional rebate up to $2,000 available. Eligible upgrades include:
Home energy audits
Heat pump HVAC or water heaters
Biomass stoves and boilers
High-efficiency gas furnaces
High-efficiency central air conditioning
ENERGY-STAR certified doors and windows
Insulation enhancements
Electric panel and wiring upgrades
Clean energy equipment installation
High-Efficiency Electric Home RebateProgram: The High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act, or HEEHRA, is a 10-year program that provides homeowners with rebates up to 100% of the cost of eligible projects up to $14,000. HEEHRA rebates are based on income and can help to fund home improvements such as switching to electric appliances, installing a heat pump or updating your home’s circuit panel. The value of each rebate varies by project and includes up to $8,000 for eligible households to install heat pumps.
State and local rebate programs: In addition to federally funded programs, many state, local and utility rebates are available to incentivize energy-efficient home improvements. These offers can vary so it’s best to speak to a local expert such as your HVAC contractor, or use this zip code-based HVAC savings database at York.com/residential-equipment/rebates-and-savings as a point of reference.
Manufacturer rebates and financing options: When it comes to your home’s efficiency, heating and cooling often account for the most energy consumption — and the highest utility bills. Because of this, upgrading the HVAC system can often provide the greatest payback.
Regardless of your home comfort needs, manufacturers such as YORK have an extensive offering of energy-efficient systems, including electric heat pumps, that may be eligible for certain rebates. Plus, your contractor can discuss available financing options to help with the upfront equipment costs to maximize savings.
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Intel announced its plans for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. Bringing AI Everywhere, Intel will implement artificial intelligence technology powered by Intel processors on the world’s biggest stage.
As the Official Worldwide AI Platform Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Intel will introduce new, innovative AI experiences based on Intel hardware and software that enable next-generation engagement for fans, organizers, athletes and viewers around the world.
Key AI implementations include:
An immersive sports experience that will allow fans to experience innovative technology used to measure athletic potential.
The first Olympics to showcase an end-to-end 8K livestreaming experience.
Advancements in universal accessibility at selected Olympic and Paralympic facilities.
“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the world’s biggest showcase for the best athletes to push the boundaries of possibility and do things we never thought possible,” said Sarah Vickers, leader of Intel’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Office. “This summer, Intel will accelerate its mission of bringing AI Everywhere using Intel solutions at Paris 2024, showcasing the powerful potential of technology and AI to create immersive and interactive experiences at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 for millions around the world.”
Paris 2024 is set to be one of the largest events ever organized in France, with close to 15,000 athletes, millions of spectators and billions of viewers worldwide across linear television and digital platforms. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will embed Intel AI platform technology throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games experience in three key areas.
First-of-Its-Kind On-Site Immersive AI Experiences
On the ground in Paris, AI applications powered by Intel processors and software solutions will demonstrate the potential of technology to benefit athletes, coaches and spectators leading up to and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Intel will create an interactive, AI-powered fan activation to take spectators on a journey of becoming an Olympic athlete. Trained on Intel® Gaudi® accelerators, running on Intel® Xeon® processors with built-in AI acceleration and optimized with OpenVINO™, Intel’s AI Platform Experience, in collaboration with Samsung, will use AI and computer vision to analyze athletic drills and match each participant’s profile to an Olympic sport.
Intel’s technology is also driving advancements in accessibility for the visually impaired throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. Leveraging AI built on Intel Xeon, 3D models of both the Team USA High Performance Center in Paris and the International Paralympic Committee headquarters in Bonn, Germany, allow indoor and voice navigation via a smartphone application.
Revolutionary 8K Live OTT Broadcast Workflow Delivery and Tailored Viewing for Fans
Paris 2024 will be the first edition of the Olympics to utilize Intel Xeon processors to showcase an end-to-end 8K livestreaming experience, providing a visible pathway for the future of low-latency, 8K resolution livestreaming over the internet. Broadcast servers powered by the latest Intel Xeon Scalable processors with Intel® Deep Learning Boost technology will encode and compress the live signal produced by Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) at 8K/60FPS/HDR “More/Faster/Better Pixels” (48 Gbps RAW to 40-60 Mbps distribution using VVC standard) in milliseconds. An 8K over-the-top (OTT) signal will be delivered to the latest Intel-based PCs and laptops connected to 8K TV to selected locations worldwide in just seconds. This will pave the way for viewers around the world to enjoy future Olympic action through a high-resolution livestreaming experience with the highest broadcast-grade quality.
AI automation enables broadcasters to bring more customized digital content to viewers faster than ever. Olympic Broadcasting Services Automatic Highlights Generation, trained on the Intel® Geti™ platform, can package tailored highlights across multiple disciplines and distribute to fans instantly, creating efficiencies in production and editing.
Preserving the Legacy of the Olympic Games
To help continue the legacy of the Olympic Games, neural object cloning will transform video of Olympic collections into 3D digital artifacts. This solution, developed by Intel’s Emergent AI Lab, is being tested to enable the Olympic Museum to bring some of its collections into interactive digital environments where viewers can rotate and explore pieces of Olympic history, as if they were in their hands.
Intel will continue to develop and roll out new implementations of AI technology in the lead-up to the Olympic Games, with additional activations expected in the coming months.
Intel’s Olympic and Paralympic Heritage
Intel has a storied history of innovation at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, accelerating the adoption of 5G, VR, drones and AI technology platforms to enhance the experience. This began with the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, highlighted by the unforgettable Intel® Shooting Star™ drone display, and continued at Tokyo 2020 where Intel® Premium drones took to the sky to symbolize global solidarity following the pandemic. Intel also introduced 3D athlete tracking and VR training in 2020, while helping enable the first live broadcast over 5G at Beijing 2022.
“Our partnership with Intel has propelled us into a realm where emerging technologies, powered by artificial intelligence, are reshaping the world of sport for spectators, athletes, IOC staff and Partners,” said Ilario Corna, chief information technology officer at the International Olympic Committee. “Through their AI-powered solutions, Intel has enabled us to deploy AI faster than ever before. Together, in Paris 2024, our collaboration will create an Olympic experience like never before, embodying our shared commitment to building a better world through sport.”
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be July 26 to Aug. 11, 2024. The Paralympic Games will take place Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
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DMD Systems Recovery, LLC. (DMD), a reuse-first ITAD services provider, proudly announces that after a thorough reassessment by B Lab™, DMD’s B Impact Assessment™ jumped over 20 points, achieving a total score of 103. This achievement solidifies DMD’s status as a certified B Corp for the 4th year and underscores DMD’s commitment to sustainability in the IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) industry.
DMD provides certified and compliant ITAD services, resulting in a governed solution that combats the growing global e-waste crisis. DMD is the first and only ITAD to adopt a ‘reuse-first’ policy that prioritizes complete IT asset sustainability, with recycling only as a last resort. Additionally, DMD operates internally through a sustainable lens, publishing an annual impact report to share all progress and outcomes set forth publicly and transparently.
B Lab awards a Certified B Corporation™ to businesses that meet rigorous social and environmental performance standards, accountability, and transparency to balance profit and purpose. To be certified, a company must achieve a score of at least 80 points in the B Impact Assessment, which measures a company’s social and environmental impact across several domains, including its effect on workers, community, environment, and customers.
“Our journey to not only attain but exceed our B Corp certification score reflects our core belief that businesses can and should operate for the greater good,” said Aaron Zeper, CEO of DMD. This achievement is a direct outcome of our team’s unwavering dedication to our reuse-first business model and our collective efforts to foster a more sustainable and equitable world. We are immensely proud of this milestone and the positive impact we continue to make.”
Acknowledging DMD’s achievement, Jodi Beasley, Senior Director of Community at B Lab U.S. & Canada commented, “DMD’s improvement in their B Corp score is a clear indicator of their dedication to exceeding high social and environmental performance standards. Their success is a powerful example of how businesses can effectively drive positive change and serve as a force for good.”
About DMD Systems Recovery, LLC:
DMD Systems Recovery, LLC. (DMD) protects your reputation and our world with ITAD solutions having the highest standards for your Data Security and the Environment, ensuring your assets go to their next best use. DMD works with hundreds of companies and public entities to securely destroy their data, decommission assets, and redeploy or remarket the equipment across IT categories including Data Center, End User Compute, and Mobility. For more information, please visit: https://www.dmdsystems.com.
About B Lab U.S. & Canada:
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The final numbers are in and Phoenix once again reached its goal of making Final Four Fan Fest a Zero Waste Event. During the four days of downtown events, 94.2% of all waste collected by the Public Works Department was diverted away from the landfill. A Zero Waste event is defined as one with at least 90% waste diversion.
Public Works collected, sorted, and weighed a total of 54.48 tons of waste from Fan Fest events. Of that, 51.32 tons was comprised of food waste (and other compostable items) and recyclable materials (such as paper, cardboard, and plastic water bottles). Food waste and compostable items were sent to the 27th Avenue Compost Facility. Recyclable items were sent to the North Gateway Transfer Station’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where they will be further sorted, baled, and shipped off to remanufacturers.
Only 5.8% of the waste from downtown Final Four events ended up in the landfill.
“Achieving this Zero Waste event was a process that started long before the Final Four came to town,” said Lorizelda Stoeller, Deputy Public Works Director. “There’s so much planning that goes into bin placement, collection schedules, and educating visitors about which items should go in which bin.”
About 60 Public Works employees were working shifts throughout the Final Four events. Even after the National Championship was over, crews continued sorting through waste at the Transfer Station, gathering recyclable items that were placed in garbage bins. Together, those crews walked more than 640,000 steps – more than 320 miles!
During the events, residential collection and bulk trash pick-ups throughout Phoenixalso continued as regularly scheduled without interruption.
“I am proud that major Zero Waste events are the standard for Phoenix,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “In 2023, we hosted the greenest Super Bowl Experience on record, so it was only natural for us to follow-up with a Zero Waste Final Four Fan Fest this year. We appreciate visitors’ efforts to recycle right and congratulate our Public Works staff on both this amazing accomplishment and continued dedication to putting on sustainable events in Phoenix!”