Latest news with #FSPs
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Ara Ake Launches $1 Million National Flex Discovery Fund To Boost Flexibility Innovation In Aotearoa New Zealand
Press Release – Ara Ake Flexible energy resources, such as batteries, electric vehicles, and smart appliances, hold immense potential to support the electricity grid during peak demand periods, reduce the need for infrastructure investment, and lower energy costs for consumers. Ara Ake, New Zealand's national energy innovation centre, has announced the launch of the National Flex Discovery Fund, which offers up to $1 million in grants to accelerate the development and visibility of flexible energy resources across the country. The Fund reflects Ara Ake's commitment to accelerating the commercialisation of emerging energy solutions in support of New Zealand's energy future. Flexible energy resources, such as batteries, electric vehicles, and smart appliances, hold immense potential to support the electricity grid during peak demand periods, reduce the need for infrastructure investment, and lower energy costs for consumers. Despite this potential, much of New Zealand's energy flexibility remains unrealised. 'New Zealand's energy future relies on our ability to cost-effectively integrate more renewables into the electricity system and harness flexible resources,' said Cristiano Marantes, Chief Executive of Ara Ake. 'However, much of this flexibility is currently invisible or inaccessible, making it unusable. As a result, customers cannot fully benefit from their own energy resources. We have been working with the Electricity Authority (EA) and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to develop an initiative that can deliver at pace a positive impact for New Zealand.' The National Flex Discovery Fund is designed to accelerate the commercialisation of flexibility innovation by providing grants to flexibility service providers or aggregators (FSPs) in two key areas: Connecting to open-access platforms – Assisting FSPs in onboarding to open-access flexibility platforms. Enhancing capacity and reliability – Supporting the scaling and improvement of the capacity and reliability of existing flexible resources already connected to these platforms. 'EECA is working with partners across the sector to enable distributed flexibility systems for New Zealanders. Visibility is the critical first step – flexible, bi-directional approaches being seen and trusted, will put us in the best position to introduced this more widely. They can also add more value by responding during times of high demand, like winter peaks. This initiative will help us all to move forward,' says Dr Marcos Pelenur, Chief Executive of EECA. The Fund is informed by an Ara Ake-commissioned white paper, which identified that many FSPs face significant upfront challenges and costs-such as integration, software development and customer engagement. 'Reducing regulatory barriers and fostering a culture that embraces innovation is something we strongly support, so it's fantastic to see this Fund being launched. It represents a real opportunity to benefit all New Zealanders. We're excited to see cross-industry collaboration and gain insights that can be applied across the sector as new ideas accelerate from concept to market,' says Mark Herring, Electricity Authority General Manager of Corporate and Market Services. Ara Ake is now inviting applications from flexibility service providers across New Zealand, particularly those with a focus on unlocking the value of distributed energy resources (DER) and developing scalable, market-ready solutions. Applications will be evaluated based on their potential to enhance the country's energy flexibility and deliver value to consumers. 'This is about enabling an energy future where every flexibility resource that is capable – no matter how big or small – can be discovered, orchestrated, measured and verified to deliver a more affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy system for Aotearoa,' says David Knight, Transpower Executive General Manager Strategy, Regulation & Governance.
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Ara Ake Launches $1 Million National Flex Discovery Fund To Boost Flexibility Innovation In Aotearoa New Zealand
Ara Ake, New Zealand's national energy innovation centre, has announced the launch of the National Flex Discovery Fund, which offers up to $1 million in grants to accelerate the development and visibility of flexible energy resources across the country. The Fund reflects Ara Ake's commitment to accelerating the commercialisation of emerging energy solutions in support of New Zealand's energy future. Flexible energy resources, such as batteries, electric vehicles, and smart appliances, hold immense potential to support the electricity grid during peak demand periods, reduce the need for infrastructure investment, and lower energy costs for consumers. Despite this potential, much of New Zealand's energy flexibility remains unrealised. "New Zealand's energy future relies on our ability to cost-effectively integrate more renewables into the electricity system and harness flexible resources," said Cristiano Marantes, Chief Executive of Ara Ake. "However, much of this flexibility is currently invisible or inaccessible, making it unusable. As a result, customers cannot fully benefit from their own energy resources. We have been working with the Electricity Authority (EA) and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to develop an initiative that can deliver at pace a positive impact for New Zealand." The National Flex Discovery Fund is designed to accelerate the commercialisation of flexibility innovation by providing grants to flexibility service providers or aggregators (FSPs) in two key areas: Connecting to open-access platforms - Assisting FSPs in onboarding to open-access flexibility platforms. Enhancing capacity and reliability - Supporting the scaling and improvement of the capacity and reliability of existing flexible resources already connected to these platforms. "EECA is working with partners across the sector to enable distributed flexibility systems for New Zealanders. Visibility is the critical first step - flexible, bi-directional approaches being seen and trusted, will put us in the best position to introduced this more widely. They can also add more value by responding during times of high demand, like winter peaks. This initiative will help us all to move forward," says Dr Marcos Pelenur, Chief Executive of EECA. The Fund is informed by an Ara Ake-commissioned white paper, which identified that many FSPs face significant upfront challenges and costs-such as integration, software development and customer engagement. "Reducing regulatory barriers and fostering a culture that embraces innovation is something we strongly support, so it's fantastic to see this Fund being launched. It represents a real opportunity to benefit all New Zealanders. We're excited to see cross-industry collaboration and gain insights that can be applied across the sector as new ideas accelerate from concept to market," says Mark Herring, Electricity Authority General Manager of Corporate and Market Services. Ara Ake is now inviting applications from flexibility service providers across New Zealand, particularly those with a focus on unlocking the value of distributed energy resources (DER) and developing scalable, market-ready solutions. Applications will be evaluated based on their potential to enhance the country's energy flexibility and deliver value to consumers. "This is about enabling an energy future where every flexibility resource that is capable - no matter how big or small - can be discovered, orchestrated, measured and verified to deliver a more affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy system for Aotearoa," says David Knight, Transpower Executive General Manager Strategy, Regulation & Governance. To learn more about the National Flex Discovery Fund, access the white paper, or apply for funding, visit the website:
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Yahoo
State Department Announces Travel Warning for Adoptive Parents
The U.S. Department of State is strongly advising "prospective adoptive parents" to reconsider adoptions from Haiti, in part because of a longstanding travel warning to that country. "The Department of State continues to strongly advise prospective adoptive parents to reconsider intercountry adoptions from Haiti – particularly those who have not yet selected a country from which to adopt or those who have not yet been matched with a child from Haiti," the State Department warned in an April 14, 2025, news release. "Adoption from Haiti is a long process in a dangerous environment that impedes processing. Conditions in Haiti include protests, demonstrations, and roadblocks, as well as criminal activity involving firearms, assault, kidnappings, and carjackings," the release says. The governor warned in the new release that travel to and in Haiti can be perilous. Since March 2024, Haiti "has been under a State of Emergency. The Department of State's Travel Advisory for Haiti has been at Level 4 – Do Not Travel since March 2020. The airport in Port-au-Prince has been closed to commercial aircraft since November 2024," the release says. Indeed, conditions in the country have deteriorated to the degree that Royal Caribbean cruise line announced in April 2025 that it was pausing a route there to a private Haitian island. "Even prior to 2024, intercountry adoptions from Haiti have typically taken an average of four years to complete. This timeline has lengthened in some cases due to country conditions. Proximity to armed gang violence can cause Haitian government offices and courts that process adoptions and monitor child welfare to shut unexpectedly, further delaying case processing," the release notes. "Foreign service providers (FSPs) responsible for shepherding adoption cases through courts and local government offices report increasing difficulties in safely processing adoption cases as they navigate difficult security conditions on behalf of prospective adoptive parents," the government warned. "U.S. embassy employees are prohibited from travel in Haiti, use of public transportation, and visiting certain areas of Port-au-Prince, and FSPs must assume such risks to advance adoption cases. There may be times where FSPs are unable to advance cases as security conditions compel them to shelter in place. The Department of State has no capacity to provide security or transportation to FSPs involved in case processing," the release says. "Children awaiting adoption also navigate difficult security conditions to complete required steps in adoption processes, including travel for personal appearance requirements at courts, passport offices, and medical clinics," it adds. "Biological relations of children undergoing adoption may also be required to make multiple trips to give testimony in court. Adoption processing steps that are required by U.S. and/or Haitian law cannot be waived. The Department of State has no capacity to provide security or transportation for children or birth families to complete adoption processing."
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Big City Mayors Unite to Tackle Mental Health Crisis with Full-Service Partnerships (FSP)
Mayors from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Irvine, and other cities highlight how AB 348 (Krell) would fast-track access to FSPs, ensuring life-saving care reaches the state's most vulnerable populations SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, mayors from California's 13 largest cities, in partnership with the Steinberg Institute and the California Behavioral Health Association, announce their push for presumptive eligibility and prioritization of the state's most vulnerable populations under AB 348's Full-Service Partnership (FSP) programs. AB 348 is being authored by Assemblywoman Maggy Krell (AD 6 - Sacramento). Most recently, 82% of California's unhoused population reported having lived with serious mental health challenges at one point in their life, often cycling through streets, ERs, and jails without ever receiving the care they need. FSPs provide a proven solution—offering housing assistance, job support, and 24/7 crisis intervention to help stabilize lives. Despite strong support, inconsistent county policies and lengthy evaluations delay access, leaving thousands without critical services. With Proposition 1 requiring counties to expand FSP slots for high-need individuals—unhoused, justice-involved, or recently hospitalized—California's top mayors are calling on lawmakers to streamline the system and ensure life-saving care reaches those who need it most. "As Mayor of the City of Riverside, I applaud Assemblywoman Krell for introducing AB 348, a critical piece of legislation that will improve the delivery of mental health services for our most vulnerable residents by ensuring stability for those experiencing serious mental illness and homelessness. Riverside is committed to solutions that prioritize both compassion and accountability and AB 348 is a vital step toward that goal." – Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson "In San Francisco, we are focusing on breaking the cycles of addiction and homelessness while ensuring government accountability. AB 348 (Krell) will help us address the behavioral health crisis on our streets by connecting the highest acuity patients to much needed resources." – San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie Setting a Standard of Care To ensure priority access to FSP programs, AB 348 will establish presumptive eligibility, eliminating administrative barriers and ensuring that individuals in desperate need of care receive it immediately. The bill guarantees that individuals with Serious Mental Illness who meet any of the following criteria would be prioritized for FP enrollment: experiencing unsheltered homelessness, as defined by federal standards; those transitioning to the community after six or more months in a secured treatment institution; individuals with two or more emergency department visits in the past six months; those reentering the community after six or more months in state prison or county jail; and individuals who have been arrested at least twice in the last six months. By implementing this policy, California can: Prevent homelessness and recidivism by connecting at-risk individuals to behavioral health services before they fall through the cracks. Reduce delays in care, ensuring people receive critical support as soon as their need is identified. Improve care coordination while reducing emergency room visits and unnecessary interactions with law enforcement. Align with Proposition 1 and ensure the individuals the BHSA was designed to help—the most vulnerable, high-risk individuals—are prioritized for care. Counties would only be required to enroll individuals up to the number of available slots funded under Proposition 1, ensuring resources are directed effectively without straining local agencies. Statewide eligibility criteria and streamlining FSP access will allow California to break the cycle of homelessness, incarceration, and crisis care—giving people the help they need when they need it. "Right now, the sickest people in California are the ones who struggle the most to access care, and who gets what level of treatment is completely random. That is unacceptable," said Darrell Steinberg, former Sacramento Mayor and Founder of the Steinberg Institute. "We need a statewide standard to ensure that people with the most serious mental illnesses get the intensive care and support they need—no matter where they live. This bill will cut through the inconsistency and make sure the highest-need individuals are connected to the right level of care, without delays or unnecessary barriers." This bill is co-sponsored by the Steinberg Institute, the Big City Mayors, and the California Behavioral Health Association. For more information, visit About the Steinberg Institute The Steinberg Institute is dedicated to transforming California's mental health and substance use care systems through education, advocacy, accountability, and inspired leadership. Our vision: California sets the standards for the nation in prevention, treatment, and recovery; where all people receive quality care and support when, where, and for as long as they need it. Founded in 2015 by Sacramento Mayor and former state Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, the institute has been the driving force behind sweeping improvements in California behavioral health policy. Visit us at Media ContactKara De Los ReyesPace Public Relations393095@ 904-894-1191 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Steinberg Institute
