Latest news with #VPP
Cision Canada
20-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
UniFirst's Owensboro Earns OSHA's VPP Star Certification and Governor's Health and Safety Award
WILMINGTON, Mass., May 20, 2025 /CNW/ -- UniFirst Corporation (NYSE:UNF), a North American leader in providing customized business uniform programs, facility service products and first aid and safety services, proudly announces that its Owensboro Distribution and Fulfillment Center in Kentucky has achieved two major safety milestones. UniFirst has once again received the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and it has also been honored with the prestigious Governor's Safety and Health Award, presented by Gov. Andy Beshear, Kentucky. The VPP Star certification, OSHA's highest recognition for workplace safety and health practices, is awarded to organizations demonstrating exceptional commitment to safety. Additionally, the Governor's Safety and Health Award recognizes workplaces that have exceeded 1,000,000 hours without a lost time incident, showcasing the extraordinary measures taken to foster a positive and effective safety culture. UniFirst's Owensboro Distribution Center has now earned the esteemed Governor's honor for the fourth time, with previous recognition in 2010, 2020, and 2022, validating UniFirst's commitment to employee safety and operational excellence. "Our dedicated Team Partners are the reason we've been able to achieve these incredible safety milestones," said Michael Gunter, Safety Engineer, UniFirst–Owensboro. "Success in safety doesn't happen by chance; it's the result of diligent efforts, daily teamwork, and a deep belief in the value of our safety programs. Whether we're tracking hazards, conducting team-led audits, or coming up with innovative safety enhancements, every Team Partner plays a crucial role in ensuring everyone goes home safe." The VPP certification process is rigorous, involving thorough evaluations and on-site audits conducted by Kentucky OSHA experts, alongside comprehensive employee surveys to verify a strong safety-first culture. Achieving over 1,000,000 hours worked without a lost time incident reflects an adherence to strict safety protocols and a collaborative mindset in maintaining workplace safety. For UniFirst, these honors serve as vital benchmarks of its proactive safety measures and dedication to protecting its workforce. "Receiving the Governor's Safety and Health Award for the fourth time proves how deeply ingrained safety is in everything we do," said Kerry Bailey, Human Resource Manager, UniFirst—Owensboro. "It's about creating an environment where every employee feels empowered to prioritize safety. To reach this level of recognition again is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every Owensboro Team Partner." Dan Getter, Sr. Manager of Safety Operations, UniFirst, added, "Our Team Partners embody the culture of safety we have worked so hard to build. From identifying potential risks to participating in regular audits and reviews, achieving both the VPP Star certification and the Governor's Safety and Health Award is proof that safety is truly a shared responsibility and an intentional daily effort." The Owensboro facility's commitment to safety includes, ongoing bi-weekly plant audits, quarterly evaluations across 25 operational areas, and direct contributions from Team Partners. These practices have positioned UniFirst as a leader in workplace safety and culture, setting a standard in Kentucky as well as across North America. These safety achievements coincide with the company's groundbreaking of a 109,000-square-foot expansion project at the Owensboro Distribution Center. The expansion, which will bring the facility's total footprint to nearly half a million square feet, has received recognition and support from Gov. Beshear, further underscoring its importance in the region. Together, these safety honors and infrastructure projects exemplify UniFirst's ongoing investment in its people and operations. To learn more about the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program and its importance in fostering workplace safety, visit OSHA's VPP website. For more information about UniFirst Corporation and its award-winning services, visit About UniFirst Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) is a North American leader in the supply and servicing of uniform and workwear programs, facility service products, as well as first aid and safety supplies and services. Together with its subsidiaries, the company also manages specialized garment programs for the cleanroom and nuclear industries. In addition to partnering with leading brands, UniFirst manufactures its own branded workwear, protective clothing, and floorcare products at its three company-owned ISO-9001 certified manufacturing facilities. With more than 270 service locations, over 300,000 customer locations, and 16,000-plus employee Team Partners, the Company outfits more than 2 million workers every day. For additional information, contact UniFirst at 888.296.2740 or visit Follow UniFirst on Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UniFirst's Owensboro Earns OSHA's VPP Star Certification and Governor's Health and Safety Award
WILMINGTON, Mass., May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UniFirst Corporation (NYSE:UNF), a North American leader in providing customized business uniform programs, facility service products and first aid and safety services, proudly announces that its Owensboro Distribution and Fulfillment Center in Kentucky has achieved two major safety milestones. UniFirst has once again received the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and it has also been honored with the prestigious Governor's Safety and Health Award, presented by Gov. Andy Beshear, Kentucky. The VPP Star certification, OSHA's highest recognition for workplace safety and health practices, is awarded to organizations demonstrating exceptional commitment to safety. Additionally, the Governor's Safety and Health Award recognizes workplaces that have exceeded 1,000,000 hours without a lost time incident, showcasing the extraordinary measures taken to foster a positive and effective safety culture. UniFirst's Owensboro Distribution Center has now earned the esteemed Governor's honor for the fourth time, with previous recognition in 2010, 2020, and 2022, validating UniFirst's commitment to employee safety and operational excellence. "Our dedicated Team Partners are the reason we've been able to achieve these incredible safety milestones," said Michael Gunter, Safety Engineer, UniFirst–Owensboro. "Success in safety doesn't happen by chance; it's the result of diligent efforts, daily teamwork, and a deep belief in the value of our safety programs. Whether we're tracking hazards, conducting team-led audits, or coming up with innovative safety enhancements, every Team Partner plays a crucial role in ensuring everyone goes home safe." The VPP certification process is rigorous, involving thorough evaluations and on-site audits conducted by Kentucky OSHA experts, alongside comprehensive employee surveys to verify a strong safety-first culture. Achieving over 1,000,000 hours worked without a lost time incident reflects an adherence to strict safety protocols and a collaborative mindset in maintaining workplace safety. For UniFirst, these honors serve as vital benchmarks of its proactive safety measures and dedication to protecting its workforce. "Receiving the Governor's Safety and Health Award for the fourth time proves how deeply ingrained safety is in everything we do," said Kerry Bailey, Human Resource Manager, UniFirst—Owensboro. "It's about creating an environment where every employee feels empowered to prioritize safety. To reach this level of recognition again is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every Owensboro Team Partner." Dan Getter, Sr. Manager of Safety Operations, UniFirst, added, "Our Team Partners embody the culture of safety we have worked so hard to build. From identifying potential risks to participating in regular audits and reviews, achieving both the VPP Star certification and the Governor's Safety and Health Award is proof that safety is truly a shared responsibility and an intentional daily effort." The Owensboro facility's commitment to safety includes, ongoing bi-weekly plant audits, quarterly evaluations across 25 operational areas, and direct contributions from Team Partners. These practices have positioned UniFirst as a leader in workplace safety and culture, setting a standard in Kentucky as well as across North America. These safety achievements coincide with the company's groundbreaking of a 109,000-square-foot expansion project at the Owensboro Distribution Center. The expansion, which will bring the facility's total footprint to nearly half a million square feet, has received recognition and support from Gov. Beshear, further underscoring its importance in the region. Together, these safety honors and infrastructure projects exemplify UniFirst's ongoing investment in its people and operations. To learn more about the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program and its importance in fostering workplace safety, visit OSHA's VPP website. For more information about UniFirst Corporation and its award-winning services, visit About UniFirstHeadquartered in Wilmington, Mass., UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) is a North American leader in the supply and servicing of uniform and workwear programs, facility service products, as well as first aid and safety supplies and services. Together with its subsidiaries, the company also manages specialized garment programs for the cleanroom and nuclear industries. In addition to partnering with leading brands, UniFirst manufactures its own branded workwear, protective clothing, and floorcare products at its three company-owned ISO-9001 certified manufacturing facilities. With more than 270 service locations, over 300,000 customer locations, and 16,000-plus employee Team Partners, the Company outfits more than 2 million workers every day. For additional information, contact UniFirst at 888.296.2740 or visit Follow UniFirst on Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE UNIFIRST CORPORATION
Newsweek
09-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Why Virtual Power Plants are a Climate Solution for Our Divided Times
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Tens of thousands of homes equipped with rooftop solar and home battery storage in California and Texas are linking up in the latest examples of a growing and innovative energy solution called the Virtual Power Plant (VPP). Proponents say these carefully managed networks of home batteries and renewable energy can help grid operators avoid the use of more polluting power generation sources, cutting emissions and saving money for consumers. Two big announcements since May 1 show the growing appeal that VPPs hold for utility companies and state regulators searching for ways to meet growing electricity demand. In California, clean energy provider Sunrun announced that it has quadrupled the size of its VPP, called the CalReady power plant, to become one of the country's biggest distributed battery networks. By linking thousands of home solar and battery storage systems together, a Virtual Power Plant can cut power costs and greenhouse gas emissions. By linking thousands of home solar and battery storage systems together, a Virtual Power Plant can cut power costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty "We take tens of thousands of those batteries, network them together with software and provide energy to the grid as though it was a single power plant," Sunrun Head of Grid Services and VPP Christopher Rauscher told Newsweek. Rauscher said the VPP can provide 375 megawatts of electricity at its peak, enough to power 280,000 homes. This week battery maker sonnen announced a VPP initiative in Texas with its partners Abundance Energy, a retail electricity provider, and energy technology company Energywell. Many Texan homeowners have been adopting a mix of rooftop solar and battery storage to save energy costs and to add a backup energy source when storms knock out power. As Newsweek reported in July, Houston area residents with solar and storage were able to keep the lights on after Hurricane Beryl knocked out power to more than 2 million customers. Blake Richetta, chairman and CEO at sonnen, Inc., USA, told Newsweek that a VPP adds another benefit: lower rates. "It's cheap because we're using your solar in a more purposeful and thoughtful way, and because of that, the battery creates monetization," Richetta said. "And for you, Mr. Customer, all it means is a really low rate." A VPP appeals to power companies because it can enable them to avoid using some of the most expensive and most polluting sources of power, what are called "peaker plants." Traditionally, times of peak electricity demand would require a company to start up a short-duration power supply to pump more electricity onto the grid, and these are usually gas-fired turbines designed to fire up quickly. "The problem is, peaking power plants tend to be extremely inefficient and thereby expensive, and high CO2 emitters," Richetta explained. The VPP allows a grid manager to instead meet peak demand by drawing on power from the clean solar energy stored in thousands of home batteries, eliminating the need for the use of the peaker plant. In the long run, both Richetta and Rauscher said, VPPs could help power companies avoid building some peaker plants altogether. That would be a big climate win as power companies plan for ways to meet the coming surge in electricity demand from electric vehicles, electrification of more home appliances and power-hungry data centers. A report released in September by the independent climate and energy think tank RMI found that VPPs reduce costs by 20 percent and emissions by about 7 percent. The widespread adoption of VPPs could help power companies eliminate the need for 75 percent of new gas units, the report found, and cut anywhere from 12 to 28 million tons of carbon emissions by 2035. That would be about 2 to 4 percent of the total projected emissions from the U.S. power sector. Rauscher said Sunrun has integrated VPPs into electric systems in California, which has a highly sophisticated grid operating system, and in Puerto Rico, where the electrical system struggles with equipment failures and severe budget constraints. "That shows you that any utility in the country that is interested in having a virtual power plant can have one today," he said. "Because every utility in the country exists on a spectrum between Puerto Rico and California." VPPs are also gaining ground across varied political terrain. Richetta said sonnen's initiative in Texas is building on the success of another VPP developed earlier in Utah. He said that while officials and ratepayers in politically blue states will be interested in how a VPP can help cut greenhouse gas emissions, people in red states might find more appeal in how a VPP can cut energy costs. "Both sides of the aisle, politically, people are ready," Richetta said. That could make VPPs a climate solution that will work in a difficult political climate. "I really like the chances of the VPP, even now, in this political environment."
Associated Press
09-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Optimus Energy Launches emsys VPP-powered Virtual Power Plant to Trade Renewable Energy in Greece
OLDENBURG, LOWER SAXONY, GERMANY, April 9, 2025 / / -- Optimus Energy has contracted the German service provider emsys VPP to supply its Virtual Power Plant (VPP) for trading renewable energy in Greece's wholesale electricity and balancing market. With a portfolio of nearly 4 GW of solar and wind power, Optimus Energy holds a leading market position in Greece, representing 50 % of the renewable energy capacity traded under the Feed-in Premium (FiP) scheme or through direct merchant participation, nationally . The collaboration enables Optimus Energy to leverage a proven Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, widely used by aggregators and utilities across Europe, to maximize the value of their renewable energy portfolios in short-term energy markets. emsys VPP has already commenced setting up its Virtual Power Plant for the wholesale electricity market and is customizing the software to meet Optimus Energy's specific requirements. This process includes connecting over 3,500 solar and wind power plants to the VPP, enabling real-time data retrieval and dynamic control of variable electricity production. Contracted by Optimus Energy, emsys VPP's partner company, energy & meteo systems, provides accurate solar and wind power forecasts for the connected assets, which will be integrated into the VPP. This complete software suite allows Optimus Energy to efficiently manage its portfolio including reduction of power generation during periods of negative electricity prices. Additionally, emsys VPP is supplying a tailored Virtual Power Plant for providing balancing energy services, a strategic expansion of Optimus Energy's services in the evolving Greek energy market, driven by the constantly increasing penetration of renewable energy sources (RES). Balancing services will benefit both the renewable assets, by creating an additional revenue stream, and the grid, by delivering greater flexibility in line with energy transition objectives. As part of the service, emsys VPP will enable the qualification of renewable assets for participation in the balancing services market. This qualification process includes remote-control tests to ensure that renewable plants connected to the VPP comply immediately with dispatch instructions from IPTO, the Greek transmission system operator. 'Our collaboration with emsys VPP leverages their industry-leading software solutions and extensive international expertise, which are instrumental in optimizing the market potential of our RES portfolio,' says Stella Zacharia, CEO of Optimus Energy. 'We're excited to play a pivotal role in enhancing power system stability in Greece, while also accessing the emerging ancillary services market as a valuable additional revenue stream for our expanding renewable energy portfolio.' 'Our Virtual Power Plant and power forecasts already support several Greek partners in managing their renewable energy portfolios. Providing our Virtual Power Plant for the wholesale and ancillary services market to Optimus Energy marks a significant milestone in bolstering our market presence,' says Dr. Ulrich Focken, Managing Director of emsys VPP and energy & meteo systems. About Optimus Energy Optimus Energy is the leading renewable energy aggregator and demand response services provider in Greece, managing an extensive portfolio of almost 4 GW of installed renewable capacity and more than 250 MW of flexible load. The company provides market access solutions and insights to maximize the value and performance of renewable energy assets, flexible consumption sites and energy storage systems, navigating the everchanging energy landscape. With a strong focus on innovation and customer success, Optimus Energy is driving the transition, optimizing our sustainable energy future. For more information please visit: About energy & meteo systems GmbH energy & meteo systems was founded in 2004 in Oldenburg, Germany, and offers cutting-edge power forecasting services as well as differentiated consulting services for a smooth grid and market integration of variable renewable energies. The company is an international provider of accurate wind and solar power predictions for grid operators, aggregators, power traders and plant operators. The forecasting services are provided to more than 600 GW of installed solar and wind power capacity in around 60 countries. About emsys VPP GmbH emsys VPP is a pioneer in the development of Virtual Power Plants and ranks as a leading international provider. The sophisticated technology is offered as a Software-as-a-Service solution and digitally connects decentralized power generators, storage facilities and controllable consumers via a common control room. The Virtual Power Plant is used by numerous energy suppliers and aggregators to monitor, remotely control and profitably market aggregated electricity production. Ulrich Kaltenbach emsys VPP GmbH Instagram YouTube Legal Disclaimer:
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple Finally Lets You Transfer Purchases Between Accounts
Apple has released a new feature that lets users move their digital purchases from one Apple account to another. This makes it easier for people who have old or separated accounts for iCloud and purchased media. This new option transfers apps, music, books, TV shows, and movies from a secondary account to your main account. This is especially useful for anyone wanting to simplify their Apple setup and avoid handling multiple accounts, but there are some requirements. Both accounts must have two-factor authentication set up, and the country/region settings for purchases need to be the same. The main account should have been used for purchases before. The secondary account shouldn't have any outstanding balance, and any rentals or pre-orders should be finished. There's also a waiting period of up to 15 days after the last purchase on the secondary account. This is likely to keep people from making purchases and then trying to use the migration process to make it harder to charge their accounts. Users have to confirm the payment method linked to the secondary account. After the transfer is complete, all payment methods and subscriptions from the secondary account will move to the main account. This decision is permanent, and the secondary account will be disabled for future purchases. Users will need to log into their primary account on all their Apple devices moving forward. This change will also impact Family Sharing settings; neither account can be part of a Family Sharing group, and Purchase Sharing must be turned off. There are some limitations on who can migrate accounts, including: Child accounts Accounts that have already been migrated (which must wait a year to migrate again) Accounts with conflicting music libraries Accounts tied to Apple One subscriptions that share iCloud storage with another account Accounts that haven't made any purchases or downloads Deleted or deactivated accounts Locked or disabled accounts Accounts with specific app or content access, like those enrolled in the VPP program. Unfortunately, this process isn't available for users in the European Union, the United Kingdom, or India. Apple didn't mention whether it would go to other countries, but people in the US can try this process out today. Source: Apple, MacRumors
