Pacific Green Appoints the Principal Contractor and Operations & Maintenance Provider for its Richborough Energy Park Battery Storage System in the UK

DOVER, DE, May 31, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Pacific Green Technologies, Inc. (the "Company" or "Pacific Green", (OTCQB:PGTK)) announces that it has entered into an agreement with Instalcom Limited ("Instalcom") to be the principal contractor (the "Principal Contractor Agreement") for its 99.98 MW battery energy storage system ("BESS") in development at Richborough Energy Park in Kent, England.

The award of this Principal Contractor Agreement, in conjunction with the battery supply agreement previously signed with Shanghai Election Gotion New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., paves the way for construction to begin in early July 2022.

Scott Poulter, Pacific Green's Chief Executive, commented: "Instalcom has a 30 year track-record of delivering complex, large-scale energy infrastructure projects throughout the UK. We're very pleased to have found such a partner with their capabilities, dedication and the resources to support Pacific Green as we rapidly scale up our battery energy park developments in the UK to 1.1 GW and beyond."

As well as the Principal Contractor Agreement, Pacific Green has also awarded Instalcom with an operations and maintenance contract (the "Operations & Maintenance Agreement") to provide comprehensive operations and maintenance services for Pacific Green's Richborough Energy Park. The Operations & Maintenance Agreement will begin at the start of Richborough Energy Park's commercial operations via the UK's National Grid in June 2023.

Vince Bowler, Instalcom's Managing Director, remarked: "Instalcom is very excited to be supporting Pacific Green in the development and delivery of this low carbon technology project that will make a positive contribution to the UK's Build Back Greener Net Zero Strategy."

Scott added: "This is another huge milestone in Pacific Green's corporate growth into one of the world's leading vertical energy developers. Our UK pipeline utilizes Pacific Green's proprietary "ODCO2 Energy Development Platform" to deliver end to end capital efficient renewable energy and storage parks to the market."

About Pacific Green Technologies, Inc.

Pacific Green Technologies, Inc. is focused on addressing the world's need for cleaner and more sustainable energy. The Company offers BESS, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Photovoltaic (PV) energy solutions to complement its marine environmental technologies and emissions control divisions. For more information, visit Pacific Green's website: www.pacificgreentechnologies.com

About Instalcom Limited

Instalcom is a Utility Contractor operating in the power, water, telecoms, rail and oil & gas sectors. Instalcom is owned by OCU Group Limited, who operate with a work force in excess of 2,000 personnel and annual revenues exceeding EUR210 million (US$264 million).

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the construction of the 99.98 MW BESS the Company is to develop in Kent, the continuation of the Principal Contractor Agreement and the continuation of the Operations & Maintenance Agreement; and any potential business developments in the UK and future interest in the Company's battery, solar and emissions control technologies.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, general economic and political conditions, the continuation of the Principal Contractor Agreement and the continuation of the Operations & Maintenance Agreement, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:
Scott Poulter, Chairman & CEO
Pacific Green Technologies
T: +1 (302) 601-4659

SOURCE: Pacific Green Technologies, Inc.

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

PLS Plantations profits surge by 411.5% to RM13.3 million

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – PLS Plantations Berhad today announced a 411.5% jump in their net profit for their third quarter financial performance for the period ended 31 March 2022 (Q3FY2022). The Company recorded a net profit before tax (PBT) of RM16.1 million, 455.1% higher compared to RM2.9 million recorded in the corresponding quarter for the period ended 31 March 2021 (Q4FY2021). PLS Plantations' net profit after taxation and minority interest (PATMI) in Q3FY2022 came in at RM12.4 million, 416.7% higher than RM2.4 million in Q4FY2021. Total revenue climbed to RM32.1 million, an increase of 169.8% from RM 18.9 million in Q4FY2021. The increase in revenue and PBT were mainly attributed to the improved contribution made from the sales of fresh fruit bunches (FFB), and frozen durian products from international markets, especially China, as well as the collection of progress payment monies generated under the construction arm.

PLS Plantations' PATMI for the quarter stood at RM12.4 million, 67.6% higher than RM7.4 million recorded in the preceding quarter ended 31 December 2021 (Q2FY2022). However, total revenue recorded in Q3FY2022 saw a drop of 44% to RM32.1 million, compared to RM57.3 million in Q2FY2022. The lower revenue for the period was attributed to the off-peak durian cycle that resulted in lower harvest numbers. Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter stood at 2.88 sen (fully diluted) compared to 0.58 sen in Q4FY2021.

PLS Plantations' Executive Vice Chairman, Tan Sri Dato' Lim Kang Hoo highlighted, "PLS is working hard to continue the strong execution of our turnaround plan in order to meet our targets and aspirations. In addition to diversifying our revenue streams and improving our operational mechanisms, we have been building the organisation's bench strength by bringing onboard experienced talent from the industry as well as promoting from within, capable members of the company to senior management positions. Growing our staff strength is crucial – to which PLS has been prioritising the hiring of bright, local talent as the Company ventures into other agricultural and cash crops segments."

Tan Sri Dato' Lim concluded, "In addition, we have also set the baseline for our sustainability journey and will be working towards rolling out a sustainability framework to guide our business and operations. Since our Silver3 rating from RAM Sustainability, we have established a ESG working committee to further develop and refine our processes and structures as we continue our progress towards becoming the nation's leading sustainable agrofood company. We remain guided by ESG values as we move towards future proofing the Company whilst supporting our country's food security goals."

About PLS Plantations Berhad

PLS Plantations was incorporated in Malaysia in 1987 and was listed on the Second Board of Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1994. Currently listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, PLS and its subsidiaries are involved in the management and operation of forest, oil palm and durian plantations, as well as the processing, distribution and sale of durian products.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statement included in this press release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statement generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "seek," or "believe." These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations about future event. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement, including, but not limited to our ability to win additional business. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward- looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future result, level of activity, performance, or achievements. You should not rely upon forward- looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this press release; as such, they should not be unduly relied upon as circumstances change. Except as required by law, we are not obligated, and we undertake no obligation, to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that might reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release or those that might reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Media Contact:
Cheong Sue Fyenn
Narro Communications
E: suefyenn@narrocomms.com
T: +6016 910 7625

PLS Plantations Berhad: https://plsplantations.my/
PLS Plantations Berhad: 9695 / [BURSA: PLS]

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

B20 ESC Task Force to link performance, SDG targets with policies

JAKARTA, May 27, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The B20 Energy, Sustainability, and Climate (ESC) Task Force has continued to strengthen steps to produce policy recommendations under the Indonesian G20 Presidency.

Chair of the B20 Energy, Sustainability, and Climate Task Force, Nicke Widyawati, during the 4th Call Meeting of the task force in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. (Antara / HO-Pertamina)

As part of the effort, the 'Fourth Task Force Call Meeting' was held online for members on Tuesday (May 24, 2022).

The meeting, which was accessed from Jakarta, was led directly by Pertamina president director and chair of the task force, Nicke Widyawati.

It was attended by around 140 participants comprising deputy chair of the ESC Task Force, Agung Wicaksono; policy manager of the task force, Oki Muraza; eight co-chairs of the task force; and B20 members from 19 industries and 25 countries.

Among the topics the 4th meeting focused on was the addition of aspects of SDGs and key performance indicators (KPI) to policy recommendations.

"Based on the results of discussions between the Task Force and the Implementing Council, it has been agreed that all Task Force B20 should link the SDG goals that are relevant to the draft policy recommendations and develop KPIs as monitoring indicators in policy designs," Widyawati said.

She reiterated that the main objective of the forum is to ensure inclusivity in the formulation of recommendations and policies, wherein all members of the task force get the opportunity to express their views.

"I hope that we can work together in formulating policy proposals that are effective and can be implemented as well as able to represent the interests of the business community from B20 member countries," she said.

The policy manager of the task force, Oki Muraza, outlined several KPI proposals in policy recommendations, which are expected to serve as indicators while monitoring the course of policy recommendations, including increasing the percentage of renewable energy from the total global energy supply and creating jobs related to clean energy and low-emission technologies.

"We have compiled this KPI considering the policies that have been made in the Italian B20 presidency by adding several aspects that are in line with the B20 policy recommendations this year," Muraza said.

In addition, the policy recommendations made should be in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, such as those related to affordable clean energy (SDG No. 7 Affordable and Clean Energy) and climate action (SDG No. 13 Climate Action).

On the same occasion, deputy chair of the task force, Agung Wicaksono, informed that the task force still has one Task Force Call in June 2022 for submitting final policy recommendations.

Wicaksono said he expects the task force members to continue to provide inputs and views on the preparation of policy recommendations that have an impact and can be followed up by the G20 leadership.

In addition, he also listed several other important activities that will be held by the task force after the last Task Force Call, including the B20/G20 Ministerial Dialogue in July 2022; an investment forum titled "2nd Partners in Energy Transition," which will be organized in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the "SOE Trade & Investment Forum," which will be held in collaboration with the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises in September; and the B20 Summit in November.

Contact: Fajriyah Usman, VP Corporate Communications, PT Pertamina (Persero)
M: +62 858 8330 8686, Email: fajriyah.usman@pertamina.com, URL: https://www.pertamina.com
Written by: Azis Kurmala, Editor: Suharto (c) ANTARA 2022

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Pacific Green Signs Purchase Agreement for 99.98 MW Battery Energy Storage System for Its First Battery Energy Park in the UK

DOVER, DE, May 25, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Pacific Green Technologies, Inc. (the "Company" or "PGTK", (OTCQB:PGTK)) announces the signing of an agreement with Shanghai Electric Gotion New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai Electric Gotion") to supply the battery energy storage system ("BESS") for its 99.98 MW battery energy park the Company is developing at Richborough Energy Park in Kent, England (the "Agreement").

The Agreement, which is part of the strategic manufacturing framework agreement signed by the parties last year, is a key milestone in the Company's development of its 1.1 GW BESS pipeline in the United Kingdom. Production and delivery of the BESS will begin later this year, with a unique just-in-time approach used to minimize the duration between production and energization of the batteries.

Scott Poulter, PGTK's Chief Executive, commented: "We have worked very closely with Shanghai Electric Gotion to develop a battery system specifically optimized for the UK market and we are pleased to place the first order for our 1.1 GW UK pipeline. The Richborough Energy Park will be operational by mid-2023."

Shanghai Electric Gotion, which was formed in 2017 in an unprecedented partnership between parent companies, Shanghai Electric Group Co., Ltd. and Guoxuan High-tech Co., Ltd., integrates research & development, production and testing across 10 GWh of planned capacity, ensuring the company will remain one of the largest energy storage producers in the world.

Scott added: "Now that we have started production on the first 99.98 MW BESS project in our pipeline, we are scaling our resources and management internally to enable Pacific Green to execute the 1.1 GW. Based on the platform we are building, we are looking to be the UK's leading battery park developer within the next 12 months."

About Pacific Green Technologies, Inc.

Pacific Green Technologies, Inc. is focused on addressing the world's need for cleaner and more sustainable energy. The Company offers BESS, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Photovoltaic (PV) energy solutions to complement its marine environmental technologies and emissions control divisions. For more information, visit PGTK's website: www.pacificgreentechnologies.com

About Shanghai Electric Gotion New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Electric Gotion New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. is a joint-venture between Shanghai Electric Group Co., Ltd. and Guoxuan High-tech Co., Ltd. With multiple production facilities and a long-established history in technology manufacturing and supply-chain management, Shanghai Electric Gotion is well positioned to provide lithium-ion BESS technology around the world.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the construction of the 99.98 MW BESS the Company is to develop in Kent; and any potential business developments in the UK and future interest in the Company's battery, solar and emissions control technologies.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, general economic and political conditions, the continuation of the investment and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:
Scott Poulter, Chairman & CEO
Pacific Green Technologies
T: +1 (302) 601-4659

SOURCE: Pacific Green Technologies, Inc.

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Kobe Steel to launch “Kobenable Steel”, Japan’s first low CO2 blast furnace steel

TOKYO, May 17, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Kobe Steel (KOBELCO) announces today that it will launch "Kobenable Steel" and become Japan's first* provider of low CO2 blast furnace steel products with significantly reduced CO2 emissions during the blast furnace ironmaking process. The Company plans to start selling the new products this fiscal year.

Kobenable Steel is based on the KOBELCO Group's CO2 Reduction Solution for Blast Furnace Ironmaking(1) announced on February 16, 2021. It utilizes a technology that can significantly reduce CO2 emissions from the blast furnace, which was demonstrated at the Company's Kakogawa Works by charging the blast furnace with a large amount of HBI(2), produced by the MIDREX(R) Process(3) in the engineering business.

Kobe Steel plans to launch Kobenable Steel in two product categories:
– Kobenable Premier – 100% reduction rate of CO2 emissions per ton(4)
– Kobenable Half – 50% reduction rate of CO2 emissions per ton(4)

Kobenable Steel is available for all types of the Company's steel products (steel sheet, steel plate, wire rod & bar products) manufactured at Kakogawa Works and the Kobe Wire Rod & Bar Plant.

Kobenable Steel maintains the same level of high quality as conventional products. Customers can continue to use blast furnace steel products that require high quality, such as special steel wire rods and ultra-high-tensile strength steel, which are the Company's strengths.

For commercialization, reduction rates of CO2 emissions are calculated using the mass balance methodology(5) in which CO2 reduction effects are allocated to specific steel products, in accordance with ISO 20915. The calculation method and results are certified by the DNV Business Assurance services UK Ltd., a third-party certification body in the UK. At the time of the sale of the products, Kobe Steel will provide the customer with a third-party certificate issued by DNV and a low-CO2 steel product certificate issued by the Company(6).

Kobe Steel will contribute to the realization of a green society by providing Kobenable Steel low CO2 blast furnace steel as a pioneer in the steel industry.

The Kobe Steel Group (KOBELCO Group) will continue to provide solutions to the needs of society, by making the best use of the talents of its employees and technologies, in order to realize a world in which people, now and in the future, can fulfill their hopes and dreams while enjoying safe, secure and prosperous lives.

*According to the Company's survey as of May 17, 2022.

(1) Press release announced on February 16, 2021
Kobelco Group's CO2 Reduction Solution for Blast Furnace Ironmaking
https://www.kobelco.co.jp/english/releases/1207624_15581.html
(2) Hot briquetted iron (HBI) is direct reduced iron (DRI) in a briquetted form. Since hot DRI is not suitable for long-distance transportation, it is pressed into a compact solid (briquette) upon being discharged from the reduction furnace
(3) The MIDREX(R) Process is the leading direct reduced iron (DRI) making process, which produces approximately 80% of the world's direct reduced iron with natural gas (approximately 60% of the world's direct reduced iron at large). The MIDREX Process uses natural gas as the reductant and pellets made of iron ore as the source of iron to make DRI through the reduction process in the shaft furnace. In comparison to the blast furnace method, the MIDREX Process can reduce CO2 emissions by 20 to 40%.
(4) Compared with the fiscal 2018 levels
(5) The mass balance methodology is a method to allocate specific characteristics to a certain portion of products according to the input amount of raw materials with the characteristics when there is a mix of raw materials with and with no such characteristics (e.g., low CO2) in the manufacturing process. This approach has been used for products such as recycled plastics, bioplastics, electricity generated from renewable energy sources, and certified food products like cocoa and palm oil, for which separation of product properties are difficult due to the characteristics of the manufacturing process or the supply chain. In the ironmaking process, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of coke used and thereby reduce CO2 emissions by replacing a portion of iron ore with HBI, a raw material for steel that has already been reduced. Kobe steel employs the mass balance methodology to allocate the reduction effects to specific products and add environmental value to them.
(6) The upper limit on sales volume is set by the certification body. Please ask us about the details of sales quantity.

www.kobelco.co.jp/english/

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Green Power Reserves Becomes Equity Partner in Pacific Green’s 99.98 Mw Richborough Energy Park Battery Development

DOVER, DE, May 12, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Pacific Green Technologies, Inc. (the "Company" or "PGTK", (OTCQB:PGTK)) announces that it has entered into an agreement with Green Power Reserves Limited ("GPR"), wherein GPR has made an equity investment of GBP13 million (US$16.0 million) for a fifty percent shareholding in Pacific Green Battery Energy Parks 1 Limited ("PGBEP").

The proceeds from the investment will be used to provide the equity financing for the construction of the 99.98 MW battery energy storage system ("BESS") the Company is developing in Kent, England. As part of the investment, Paolo Revelli, Managing Director of GPR, has agreed to join the Board of Directors of PGBEP and its subsidiary, Richborough Energy Park Limited.

Scott Poulter, PGTK's Chief Executive, commented: "Paolo is a veteran portfolio manager who has been a pioneer in the renewables sector in the UK and Europe. We are delighted to have GPR as partners in developing Richborough Energy Park."

Paolo commented: "The BESS market in the UK is a rapidly-growing sector in the renewable energy mix, finding a partner capable of delivering projects at grid-scale was critical for us. Having seen Pacific Green's rapid transition from a single technology supplier in the marine industry to a fully-integrated renewable energy developer, we are confident in Pacific Green's delivery capabilities."

Scott added, "We are very pleased to have reached this milestone with Richborough Energy Park, as part of Pacific Green's 1.1 GW UK-based pipeline. With a grid connection in mid-2023, I anticipate many more updates with project milestones and new energy project announcements over the next weeks and months."

About Pacific Green Technologies, Inc.

Pacific Green Technologies, Inc. is focused on addressing the world's need for cleaner and more sustainable energy. The Company offers BESS, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Photovoltaic (PV) energy solutions to complement its marine environmental technologies and emissions control divisions. For more information, visit PGTK's website: www.pacificgreentechnologies.com

About Green Power Reserves Limited

GPR, which is led by Paolo Revelli, is a special purpose vehicle focusing on battery storage in the UK. Mr. Revelli was formerly a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and is currently a director of Quainstone Limited.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the construction of the 99.98 MW BESS the Company is to develop in Kent; and any potential business developments in the UK and future interest in the Company's battery, solar and emissions control technologies.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, general economic and political conditions, the continuation of the investment and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:
Scott Poulter, Chairman & CEO
Pacific Green Technologies
T: +1 (302) 601-4659

SOURCE: Pacific Green Technologies, Inc.

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Soluna Raises $35M from Spring Lane Capital to Build Green Data Centers for Crypto, Machine Learning

ALBANY, NY, May 12, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Soluna Holdings, Inc. ("SHI" or the "Company"), (NASDAQ: SLNH), the parent company of Soluna Computing, Inc. ("SCI"), secured $35 million in project financing to develop green data centers co-located with renewable energy assets. Spring Lane Capital, a private equity firm, invested private funds in Soluna as a part of their strategy focused on hybrid project capital for sustainability solutions in the energy, food, water, waste and transportation industries. The capital will help develop three behind-the-meter (BTM) projects designed to convert wasted renewable energy into clean computing services such as bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence.

"Soluna is the only true green bitcoin company we've yet seen," said Rob Day, Spring Lane Capital Partner and Co-Founder. "Going after wasted renewable energy 'spilled power' is a compelling solution and fixes both bitcoin's climate problem and wind power's grid problem."

Michael Toporek, CEO of Soluna Holdings, Inc. said, "Consistent with our previously articulated strategy, we continue to pursue opportunities that we believe enable us to optimize our cost of capital. The Spring Lane Capital approach helps us develop a mature repeatable model that can be scaled."

The first of the three projects, Dorothy, named in honor of African American mathematician and human computer Dorothy Vaughan, is expected to be energized later this summer and coincide with the launch of a local STEM program. The Dorothy project is a 100 MW data center with a 50 MW initial phase, connected to a Texas wind farm that produces more electricity than the grid can consume. Soluna's data center is currently estimated to create between 25 to 50 highly skilled jobs for technicians, security and electrical staff.

The other two projects funded by the new capital will come from Soluna's robust pipeline.

John Belizaire, CEO of Soluna Computing, Inc., said, "We are honored to have a pioneering sustainability project finance firm like Spring Lane Capital back our vision. Our model of leveraging excess clean energy to generate low-cost computing is the future of green bitcoin mining and green data centers."

Spring Lane Capital has a successful track record helping sustainable technology companies raise capital to build flagship projects. Their 'hybrid project capital' approach provides project equity along with additional growth capital.

Added Day: "Soluna is driving demand for clean power by giving a floor price and improving the bottom line of the renewable power partners they work with. The ultimate result is more wind farms and solar farms that would not otherwise be built."

At power plants like the wind farm where the Dorothy project is under construction, excess energy is wasted when the grid becomes overloaded or demand is too low. Soluna's scalable solution allows every excess megawatt to be used for batch-oriented, computing-intensive processes, such as cryptocurrency mining and machine learning. Additionally, flexible demand consumers help stabilize the grid by preventing power overload, which can otherwise lead to blackouts and grid malfunction.

Last month, Soluna Holdings (SCI's Computing's parent company), sold its Albany-based MTI Instruments subsidiary for $10.75 million, expanding its focus on helping the modern grid absorb more renewable energy through flexible green data centers.

About Soluna Holdings, Inc.

Soluna Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLNH), which operates through its subsidiary, Soluna Computing, Inc. is the leading developer of green data centers that convert excess renewable energy into global computing resources. Soluna builds modular, scalable data centers for computing-intensive, batchable applications such as cryptocurrency mining, AI and machine learning. Soluna provides a cost-effective alternative to battery storage or transmission lines. Up to 30% of the power of renewable energy projects can go to waste. Soluna's data centers enable clean electricity asset owners to 'Sell. Every. Megawatt.' For more information about Soluna, please visit solunacomputing.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Investor Relations:
Kirin Smith, President
PCG Advisory, Inc.
646.823.8656
Ksmith@pcgadvisory.com

Media contact:
Bridgette Borst Ombres, Tigercomm
(304) 546-3788
bombres@tigercomm.us

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

World Malaria Day 2022, Vestergaard CEO: Advance Equity. Build Resilience. End Malaria.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Apr 25, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – World Malaria Day provides us with a moment to reflect on the scale of the challenge we still face – and recognise what needs to happen to fix it.

When a community is equipped with effective insecticidal bed nets, it not only protects the individual family, but it also reduces the vector population in that community. [Vestergaard]

Make no mistake, great strides have been made. El Salvador and China were certified malaria free in 2021. However, most countries with a high burden of the disease have suffered setback and are losing ground.

How can we be satisfied, when 627,000 people died in 2021, from what is a curable disease? More than two thirds of those deaths were among children under the age of 5 living in the African Region.

This human tragedy, devastating millions of families, is impossible to comprehend. But the socio-economic impact however is calculable, and it is immense.

The global response to the COVID crisis proved that when the global economy is threatened, we can summon the power to overcome a disease which emerged almost overnight. So, why can't we solve, rather than manage, a curable disease that we have lived with for far too long?

Simply, it requires us to strain every sinew in our collective global health-body, to move in the same direction, at scale.

So, what is stopping us?

We have tackled the low hanging fruit. The strategy and tactics we employed to get us this far will not serve to meet the WHO goal to reduce, by 90%, the global malaria incidence and mortality rates by 2030.

The WHO has clearly stated that it will require new approaches and greatly intensified efforts, aided by new tools and the better implementation of existing ones. Stepped-up investment is also essential.

So how is that going to happen?

The WHO, working with its partners, has done a fantastic job, figuring out how to marshal billions of dollars in unified ways, to a deliver an agreed strategy. It has developed one regulatory framework across a multitude of countries and eliminated masses of bureaucracy. Even though incident rates may not have reduced, death rates have reduced a lot. That means patients are being diagnosed quicker, treated quicker and treated successfully.

It doesn't change the reality, though. The disease remains resilient and concentrated in a specific group of countries. We face many headwinds – climate change, vector resistance to the early class of insecticides, to name two. We need innovation to get ahead of these trends.

And despite the introduction of new interventions such as vaccines and seasonal malaria chemoprevention, mosquito nets will remain a core intervention to save lives until elimination.

Three hundred million people sleep under Vestergaard bed nets every night. What motivates us, is we can see direct relationship between our product and saving lives.

The bed net, probably, is the most cost-effective public health device that ever existed.

When a community is equipped with effective insecticidal bed nets, it not only protects the individual family, but it also acts to decimate the vector population in that community.

The goal of achieving universal coverage, however, has limits, because of the need to adapt the mix of tools deployed for maximum impact in diverse settings. It is a funding challenge – how do we achieve universal coverage while introducing more effective and therefore costly mosquito nets, while at the same time expanding the number of nets to keep pace with population growth?

It is also a logistical challenge: are mass campaign distributions, every 2-3 years, the best method to ensure equitable access for the populations that need it most?

We now need all actors to work together to establish something that has so far eluded us – strategic supply collaboration; a partnership approach to planning, procurement and distribution of mosquito nets.

There is a good reason why every industry, from automotive, to pharma, has moved in this direction. It drives long term investment, accelerates innovation, delivers efficiency – and indeed, can deliver lower unit costs.

A singular focus on price reduction, does not incentivize capital investment and innovation. Conversely, long-term, strategic relationships build resilience of the supply chain, another lesson we learned from COVID.

The reality is, we cannot perform to our full potential in the current environment. Timescales (1-3 years of contract) are too short.

We must also recognize that the private sector in the arena is not homogenous – there are large corporations who contribute chemistry, mostly as a CSR initiative; opportunistic cost-driven suppliers – and ones like ourselves who are full innovation partners.

The leading private sector organizations are ready to invest, automate and innovate to reduce cost.

Vestergaard is uniquely positioned to deliver this innovation at scale because we have constantly challenged ourselves to go further to save lives. We began by simply dipping nets in insecticide to increase protection, through to the development of PermaNet(R) 2.0, the first long lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) to be deployed at scale in the early 2000's. However, the disease does not stand still. Fast spreading mosquito resistance to pyrethroids demanded a response. Vestergaard led the successful large-scale deployment of piperonyl butoxide long-lasting insecticidal nets (PBO LLINs), specifically designed to protect against pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes.

We will introduce our first dual active-ingredient net, PermaNet(R) Dual in the second half of 2022. The product will help serve a growing demand for dual AI nets.

However, sustaining innovation requires a strategic partnership with the customer – in this case, the funders. Beyond the New Nets Project, they need to define a new model to accelerate innovation and establish long term engagement with innovative suppliers with the goal to bring new nets to market in way that supports equitable access.

So, what would I like to see happen before World Malaria Day 2023?

Fundamentally, that we stop managing the disease and pull together to end malaria.

Michael Joos
CEO, Vestergaard

Contact:
Ayomide Ibironke
Tel: +27 61 326 4765
Africa Communications Media Group
ayomide@africacommunicationsgroup.com

View the article in English: https://tinyurl.com/vestergaard-20220422-en
View the article in French: https://tinyurl.com/vestergaard-20220422-fr

This Op Ed is issued through EmailWire.Com (www.emailwire.com) – the global newswire service that provides Press Release distribution with guaranteed results(TM).

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

World Malaria Day 2022 – Vestergaard CEO: Advance Equity. Build Resilience. End Malaria.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Apr 25, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – World Malaria Day provides us with a moment to reflect on the scale of the challenge we still face – and recognise what needs to happen to fix it.

How can we be satisfied, when 627,000 people died in 2021, from what is a curable disease? More than two thirds of those deaths were among children under the age of 5 living in the African Region.

This human tragedy, devastating millions of families, is impossible to comprehend. But the socio-economic impact however is calculable, and it is immense.

The global response to the COVID crisis proved that when the global economy is threatened, we can summon the power to overcome a disease which emerged almost overnight. So, why can’t we solve, rather than manage, a curable disease that we have lived with for far too long?

Simply, it requires us to strain every sinew in our collective global health-body, to move in the same direction, at scale.

So, what is stopping us?

We have tackled the low hanging fruit. The strategy and tactics we employed to get us this far will not serve to meet the WHO goal to reduce, by 90%, the global malaria incidence and mortality rates by 2030.

The WHO has clearly stated that it will require new approaches and greatly intensified efforts, aided by new tools and the better implementation of existing ones. Stepped-up investment is also essential.

So how is that going to happen?

The WHO, working with its partners, has done a fantastic job, figuring out how to marshal billions of dollars in unified ways, to a deliver an agreed strategy. It has developed one regulatory framework across a multitude of countries and eliminated masses of bureaucracy. Even though incident rates may not have reduced, death rates have reduced a lot. That means patients are being diagnosed quicker, treated quicker and treated successfully.

It doesn’t change the reality, though. The disease remains resilient and concentrated in a specific group of countries. We face many headwinds – climate change, vector resistance to the early class of insecticides, to name two. We need innovation to get ahead of these trends.

And despite the introduction of new interventions such as vaccines and seasonal malaria chemoprevention, mosquito nets will remain a core intervention to save lives until elimination.

Three hundred million people sleep under Vestergaard bed nets every night. What motivates us, is we can see direct relationship between our product and saving lives.

The bed net, probably, is the most cost-effective public health device that ever existed.

When a community is equipped with effective insecticidal bed nets, it not only protects the individual family, but it also acts to decimate the vector population in that community.

The goal of achieving universal coverage, however, has limits, because of the need to adapt the mix of tools deployed for maximum impact in diverse settings. It is a funding challenge – how do we achieve universal coverage while introducing more effective and therefore costly mosquito nets, while at the same time expanding the number of nets to keep pace with population growth?

It is also a logistical challenge: are mass campaign distributions, every 2-3 years, the best method to ensure equitable access for the populations that need it most?

We now need all actors to work together to establish something that has so far eluded us – strategic supply collaboration; a partnership approach to planning, procurement and distribution of mosquito nets.

There is a good reason why every industry, from automotive, to pharma, has moved in this direction. It drives long term investment, accelerates innovation, delivers efficiency – and indeed, can deliver lower unit costs.

A singular focus on price reduction, does not incentivize capital investment and innovation. Conversely, long-term, strategic relationships build resilience of the supply chain, another lesson we learned from COVID.

The reality is, we cannot perform to our full potential in the current environment. Timescales (1-3 years of contract) are too short.

We must also recognize that the private sector in the arena is not homogenous – there are large corporations who contribute chemistry, mostly as a CSR initiative; opportunistic cost-driven suppliers – and ones like ourselves who are full innovation partners.

The leading private sector organizations are ready to invest, automate and innovate to reduce cost.

Vestergaard is uniquely positioned to deliver this innovation at scale because we have constantly challenged ourselves to go further to save lives. We began by simply dipping nets in insecticide to increase protection, through to the development of PermaNet® 2.0, the first long lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) to be deployed at scale in the early 2000’s. However, the disease does not stand still. Fast spreading mosquito resistance to pyrethroids demanded a response. Vestergaard led the successful large-scale deployment of piperonyl butoxide long-lasting insecticidal nets (PBO LLINs), specifically designed to protect against pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes.

We will introduce our first dual active-ingredient net, PermaNet® Dual in the second half of 2022. The product will help serve a growing demand for dual AI nets.

However, sustaining innovation requires a strategic partnership with the customer – in this case, the funders. Beyond the New Nets Project, they need to define a new model to accelerate innovation and establish long term engagement with innovative suppliers with the goal to bring new nets to market in way that supports equitable access.

So, what would I like to see happen before World Malaria Day 2023?

Fundamentally, that we stop managing the disease and pull together to end malaria.

Michael Joos
CEO, Vestergaard
www.vestergaard.com

View the article in English: https://tinyurl.com/vestergaard-20220422-en
View the article in French: https://tinyurl.com/vestergaard-20220422-fr

Contact:
Ayomide Ibironke
Tel: +27 61 326 4765
Africa Communications Media Group
ayomide@africacommunicationsgroup.com

This Op Ed is issued through EmailWire.Com (www.emailwire.com) – the global newswire service that provides Press Release distribution with guaranteed results™.

Habitat for Humanity’s youth supporters in Asia-Pacific return to on-site volunteering for the first time in two years

MANILA, Apr 25, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Supporters across the Asia-Pacific region started volunteering over the weekend on Habitat for Humanity sites in their home countries to mark the culmination of its 2022 Young Leaders Build campaign. This marks the first time the housing nonprofit hosted in-person youth volunteers in its build sites since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Cambodia – Young volunteers and Habitat staff take HYLB on a campus tour to raise awareness about the campaign and the need for decent, affordable housing

Philippines – Members of the Habitat for Humanity campus chapter in De La Salle University in the Philippines visited the Pasig 2 Habitat Housing community to work alongside homeowners on community gardens.

"Over the last two years, the youth responded creatively as the health and economic fallouts due to the global pandemic took a toll on everyone. Working virtually with Habitat for Humanity, they helped vulnerable families and communities to stay safe in decent shelter. We are excited to welcome young volunteers back on our build sites, following local health protocols in areas where the spread of the pandemic is controlled, to build and repair homes alongside local families in need," said Luis Noda, Vice-President for Asia-Pacific, Habitat for Humanity International.

In Indonesia and the Philippines, long-term Habitat volunteers trained their peers about the importance of building decent, affordable housing. In Cambodia, volunteers are expected to build and repair at least four houses later this week.

Volunteers in the Asia-Pacific region also used virtual spaces to raise awareness of COVID-19 safety and the links between health and housing. They will continue to raise funds to support Habitat's mission in the region.

"A house is where all of your basic needs are met. But sadly, a lot of people still don't have access to adequate housing. This is where we as youth should come together to increase awareness of the situation and work to solve the housing problem in our community, country and all around the world," said Monica Hartono, a volunteer from Indonesia. Together with fellow students from Wardaya College, she implemented Project: Home, virtual fundraising sessions in support of families in need of decent homes.

In December 2021, young leaders launched the 2022 campaign with the #VolunteeringisViral Challenge, a social media-based activity that aimed to highlight the power of volunteering to inspire action for good.

In the four months since the annual campaign's launch, thousands of supporters have hosted and attended learning events about the housing needs in Asia-Pacific and their respective countries, supported disaster response efforts, assisted older people in cleaning and repairing homes. They also advocated for more support and funding for the housing sector. In addition, supporters have used crowdfunding sites in support of various Habitat projects in 10 countries and one special administrative region and assisted in fundraising events.

Since 2012, over 17 million supporters have raised US$9.2 million, enabling more than 33,300 families to achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. While the 2022 campaign peaks in end-April, the momentum will continue as youth groups and volunteers are expected to participate in Habitat's upcoming global advocacy campaign.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in U.S.A. Since its founding in 1976, the housing organization has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. In the Asia-Pacific region since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported millions of people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org/asiapacific.

About Habitat for Humanity Young Leaders Build

Since 2012, Habitat for Humanity Young Leaders Build brings together youth from across the Asia Pacific region to support people and families in need of decent housing. Every young person volunteering, fundraising, raising awareness and adding their voices in support of affordable housing can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. The movement encourages youth to take the lead and motivate their peers to create societal changes by building homes and communities, on a Habitat build site and/or online through their social networks.

For further information, please contact Ms. Angeli Alba-Pascual, AAlba@habitat.org, +63 920 956 3376, or Ms. Michele Soh, MSoh@habitat.org, +65 9233 1544. Please find a short video on the call for youth volunteers to support Habitat for Humanity's mission, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMC8LyQL_Sc.

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com