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Clean energy brings stable electricity supply to Truong Sa Archipelago

by dtinews.vn Leave a Comment

The lives of soldiers and islanders in Truong Sa island district in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa have changed a lot thanks to solar panels and wind turbines.


Solar panels are installed in Truong Sa island district. (Photo: VNA)

Solar and wind power is used widely in islands belonging to Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, said Colonel Le Dinh Hai, Deputy Head of Brigade 146 under Naval Region 4.


Hai, who is also Chairman of the Truong Sa District People’s Committee, said that the clean energy sources now could meet the daily needs of local residents for cooking, and powering TVs, radios and even electric fans at night.

“Truong Sa is the first district in Vietnam lit up with clean energy,” Hai said, adding that thanks to the stable energy source, activities on the island became much more convenient than before.

Thai Minh Khai, a local resident living in Song Tu Tay Island, said his family had lived on the island for more than four years without finding any inconveniences thanks to stable clean power supply.

“There is no difference between the mainland and island when it comes to electric household appliances,” Khai said, emphasising that with wind power and solar power systems, the living conditions of households and soldiers on the island has gotten better.

Before 2010, islands in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago mainly used diesel generators to generate electricity for daily life and lighting. Electricity powered by dynamometers is expensive, unstable, generates loud noise and pollutes the environment, so it was usually only used for a few hours in the evening and when absolutely necessary.

However, in recent years, clean energy electricity systems have been installed in Truong Sa which has a great advantage of sunny and windy weather.

Captain Tran The Tai, living in Da Nam Island, said that ever since solar and wind power systems were installed in the island, they can use freezers to preserve food and vegetables for a longer time. When it’s hot, they can have cooling fans on.

Captain Do Minh Cuong, Chief of Nui Le Island, said that solar power was very strong and stable.

“The wind and solar systems have a designed capacity of generating 25 kw per hour. We can store the extra power for three days without recharging. We only use 5 kw a day,” he said.

Harsh sea weather with strong heat, winds and storms challenge islanders and soldiers every day. They also must maintain solar panels, down to each screw and wire so that the equipment does not rust due to the salty seawater affecting the electrical system.

Clean energy systems with modern technology, managed by computers, also require operators to always learn additional knowledge to operate the system safely and effectively.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Danh Hoang, Chief of Sinh Ton Island, said that it was difficult for the maintenance team to regularly travel from the mainland to the islands to replace components whenever a solar panel or a blower was damaged.

“Soldiers have to learn to fix problems,” Hoang said, adding that they first found it difficult but after repairing and understanding the operating principles of energy batteries and blowers, they could do it well.

“Regular maintenance and periodic inspection help prolong the life of the equipment,” he said.

However, the harsh climate, sunshine, wind, and salty sea water in Truong Sa have degraded and damaged some electrical systems. At some locations or islands, clean energy systems were built a decade ago, so the solar panels, blowers or energy storage batteries now need to be replaced and upgraded.

Captain Tran Van Binh from Toc Tan Island said that solar battery systems and wind blowers that were installed a long time ago, are now just 60-70% as effective as newly-installed ones.

“We regularly take care of the maintenance of the system and look forward to maintenance teams from the mainland to reach the islands regularly,” he said./.

South Staffordshire Water assures customers water supply is safe after cyber attack

by www.express.co.uk Leave a Comment

Holloway: Burst water main floods London street

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The company, which is the parent company of Cambridge Water and South Staffs Water, released a statement after a ransomware group known as Cl0p claimed to have hacked a different water company’s networks.

In a bungled extortion attempt the group posted apparent stolen identification documents but somehow misidentified the parent company.

The hacking group also criticised the company’s online security and suggested it could be hacked into by other criminal groups.

C10p are known for encrypting the files on the computer networks of their victims, making the IT systems unusable unless an extortionate sum is paid out.

However, in this case there is no encryption involved, with C10p instead choosing to demand an extortion payment to prevent stolen data being shared.

In their statement South Staffordshire Water said it was “still supplying safe water to all of our Cambridge Water and South Staffs Water customers.

Water pouring from tap

South Staffordshire Water has experienced a cyber attack (Image: Getty)

Water pouring into sink

Customers have been assured their water supply is safe (Image: Getty)

“This is thanks to the robust systems and controls over water supply and quality we have in place at all times as well as the quick work of our teams to respond to this incident and implement the additional measures we have put in place on a precautionary basis.”

In an unverified claim disputed by South Staffordshire the hackers stated: “It would be easy to change chemical composition for their water but it is important to note we are not interested in causing harm to people.”

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) advises not to pay extortionists as there is no guarantee they will stick to their end of the arrangement.

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Firefighters pour water onto field

A drought has been declared across many regions of the UK (Image: Getty)

NCSC’s chief executive, Lindy Cameron, said earlier this year: “Ransomware remains the biggest online threat to the UK and we do not encourage or condone paying ransom demands to criminal organisations.

“Unfortunately we have seen a recent rise in payments to ransomware criminals and the legal sector has a vital role to play in helping reverse that trend.

“Cyber security is a collective effort and we urge the legal sector to work with us as we continue our efforts to fight ransomware and keep the UK safe online.”

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Person walking along path with umbrella

Storms have been blasting the UK (Image: Getty)

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In its statement, South Staffs said: “We are experiencing disruption to our corporate IT network and our teams are working to resolve this as quickly as possible. It is important to stress that our customer service teams are operating as usual.”

A government spokesperson told Sky News: “We are aware that South Staffordshire Plc has been the target of a cyber incident. Defra and NCSC are liaising closely with the company.

“Following extensive engagement with South Staffordshire Plc and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, we are reassured there are no impacts to the continued safe supply of drinking water, and the company is taking all necessary steps to investigate this incident.”

Back-to-school supplies: 10 secrets of saving money amid high inflation

by www.foxnews.com Leave a Comment

How inflation has affected back-to-school expenses

Chicago mom of two Ester Di Filippo on how rising inflation has driven up costs and how families are struggling as kids get ready to head back to school.

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Shopping for back-to-school supplies is likely on the minds of millions of American families — and with today’s high inflation, parents may be paying closer attention to what’s printed on the price tags.

“When August rolls around, families with school-age kids may be unprepared for the cost of clothes, supplies, uniforms and equipment they must buy,” said Laura Adams, a personal finance expert with finder.com.

“The trick to saving money on back-to-school shopping is creating a budget and anticipating that you’ll probably need to purchase more than you expect.”

CHICAGO MOTHER PREPARES FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING AMID INFLATION: ‘DEFINITELY A STRUGGLE’

Here are 10 tips from savings experts on how to snag deals for back-to-school 2022.

Back-to-school shopping can be expensive. Check out these tips on how to save a buck. 

Back-to-school shopping can be expensive. Check out these tips on how to save a buck. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Be sure to share these tricks with any college or grad school student or parents with pupils.

1. Download cash-back apps

“Things like Ibotta, Checkout 51 and Rakuten are all apps worthy of your phone’s precious real estate,” said consumer analyst Julie Ramhold with dealnews.com, a shopping comparison website.

These apps can be used both in-store and online to get cash back on certain purchases, she said.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BUDGET SURVIVAL GUIDE: HOW MOMS AND DADS CAN SAVE TIME AND MONEY

“You can earn cash back on everything from groceries for back to school lunches to gas for driving around to different stores to get the best prices and of course on supplies themselves whether that’s a new wardrobe or backpack or just brand-new supplies to kick off the school year,” she added.

Individually, it may not seem like much — but together, these savings will add up, she said. strong>

2. Download traditional store apps, too

Along with specialty apps like the aforementioned, many retailers offer apps with exclusive savings.

” So many stores offer extra discounts/coupons by just having their app — so download it,” Kassandra Vargas, a senior in college and lifestyle blogger with 44,000 TikTok followers and counting with whom she shares “Deals of the Day,” told Fox News Digital.

“For example, Bed Bath & Beyond has a college pass where you can save 20% off your entire purchase every time you make a purchase and use that pass on your app. This is a perfect way to save on college essentials this year,” she said.

Bed Bath and Beyond has a college pass; you can save 20% off your purchase by using it.

Bed Bath and Beyond has a college pass; you can save 20% off your purchase by using it. (Bed Bath and Beyond)

3. Sign up for promotional email lists

Vargas notes that she is glued to her emails to try to find the best sales .

“I suggest creating a separate email address if you don’t like your personal email being spammed with those emails,” she said.

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“Those emails are definitely worth getting because you get access to early deals and even personalized discount codes,” Vargas added.

4. Buy used

“Consignment stores, thrift stores and secondhand sites (like ThredUp and Poshmark) are a great way to get like-new items for a fraction of the price,” said Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert at truetrae.com.

“This works really well for younger kids especially because they don’t tend to be as particular as teens.”

“Along those lines, consider buying musical instruments and sports equipment (as long as it’s safe) used,” Bodge suggested. “You can also sell gently-used items and make some cash!”

5. Look through what you already have

It can take some time, but your credit card statement may thank you.

BACK TO SCHOOL SPENDING: 5 ONLINE WAYS TO SAVE ON SCHOOL ESSENTIALS

“Go through last year’s school supplies and see what is salvageable and have your kids try on all their school clothes,” said Bodge.

“Then, based on what you have vs. what you need, create a list. This will help you avoid buying things you don’t need.”

Since back-to-school shopping can be expensive, one expert suggests trying to use supplies that you already have inside your home.

Since back-to-school shopping can be expensive, one expert suggests trying to use supplies that you already have inside your home. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

You may even find you have more of a certain item (say, notebooks or highlighters) than you initially thought — and be able to donate extra to a local drive for school supplies.

6. Use coupon sites

Apps aren’t the only way to keep green in your wallet.

“Sites like couponcabin.com will have lots of back-to-school offers , many of which can be combined with existing retailer sales,” said Bodge.

“For example, if you are buying something on forever21.com, you can get 8.25% cashback in addition to any sale that Forever21 is having. You can get 4% cashback at Bloomingdale’s, and so on,” Bodge added.

CouponCabin.com also has “a browser extension that, once installed, will automatically alert you to these sales, and run coupons for you at checkout on a retailer’s site .”

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Another option is capitaloneshopping.com’s free browser extension, which automatically applies coupon codes while you search the internet.

You can use coupon sites to set deal alerts “on specific items you may need, like a scientific calculator or laptop,” said Bodge.

Try slickdeals.net for this feature — “and once you’ve entered the name of the item [you seek], you’ll receive an alert when it goes on sale,” according to Bodge.

7. Take advantage of college programs

If you’re a student like Vargas, she suggests enrolling in programs that offer college discounts.

“There are so many sites like Prime Student, Unidays, Student Beams, Student Universe and so many more that offer discounts to students,” she said.

Prime Student gives a discount to students on their Amazon Prime membership.

Prime Student gives a discount to students on their Amazon Prime membership. (iStock)

“With Prime Student, I’ve even rented some textbooks for the semester for as low as $10,” Vargas added.

8. Shop on sales tax holidays

“Sales tax holidays, which vary from state to state, are another great way to cut the cost of many back-to-school expenses ,” said Adams.

“So, find out when your state skips sales tax and put it on your calendar.”

You may even want to schedule a reminder email to yourself so you don’t forget to grab your reusable shopping bags and hit the store aisles near you.

9. Host a back-to-school swap

“A fun way to save money is to invite other families to a back-to-school swap,” suggested Adams.

“Everyone brings items, such as outgrown clothes, backpacks and unused supplies they don’t need anymore but might be exactly what someone else is looking for,” she said.

Organizing a back-to-school items swap could help families save money before kids re-enter the classroom in fall 2022.

Organizing a back-to-school items swap could help families save money before kids re-enter the classroom in fall 2022. (iStock)

A similarly collaborative idea is splitting the cost with others.

Sharing larger orders with another family or group is an excellent way to save on back-to-school supplies, said Adams.

“Bulk orders of paper, pencils, notebooks, and other needed supplies make each item cost you less,” she said.

10. Shop during back-to-school season

For some shopping needs, you may be able to postpone purchases until the semester is in full swing.

“When you’re in college, you realize that some supplies aren’t always an urgent need. So, just wait,” advised Vargas.

“Toward the second week of September, you see all the school supplies go from regular price to up to 75% off [their] suggested retail.”

A parent shops for school supplies at a Target store, on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in North Miami, Fla. 

A parent shops for school supplies at a Target store, on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in North Miami, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

“It may seem like you have to get everything on your supply list during back to school season, but the truth is there are some items you can wait until later to buy and potentially save more,” echoed Ramhold, who cited backpacks and lunchboxes as two examples of products you likely won’t see big discounts on during the initial back-to-school sales.

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“However, if you wait until after Labor Day, retailers will be trying to clear out the remnants of back-to-school items, so you could see much bigger discounts on these kinds of products then,” she said.

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Ramhold said to try to hold off a few weeks into the school year for items that you may not need right away.

By then, “discounts are up because demand is down.”

Perri Ormont Blumberg is a contributing lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent on Twitter at @66PerriStreet .

Global supply crunch sends Asian gas prices to five-month high

by www.theedgemarkets.com Leave a Comment

Global supply crunch sends Asian gas prices to five-month high

(Aug 16): Asian liquefied natural gas prices extended a rally to the highest level in five months as a global supply crunch shows no signs of easing.

The Asian benchmark spot LNG price jumped above US$52 per million British thermal units on Monday, the highest level since early March when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upended energy markets.

Asian buyers are moving to procure supply for winter. Jera Co, Japan’s top LNG importer, purchased a number of spot shipments for delivery this winter via a tender late last week, according to traders with knowledge of the matter.

There isn’t enough available LNG to cool off the breakneck rally in Asian prices, which are trading nearly three times higher than this time last year. Utilities around the world are competing for shipments for delivery this winter amid supply disruptions from Russia to the US.

Shell Plc’s Prelude floating LNG production facility in Australia is slated to remain offline into next month due to an ongoing strike. Workers extended industrial action at the plant until at least Sept 1.

European gas prices also rallied to the highest level since March on Monday. Competition between Europe and Asia for a shrinking pool of LNG is intensifying, boosting prices for the fuel in both regions.

China facing power supply threat from drought in Sichuan

by www.theedgemarkets.com Leave a Comment

China facing power supply threat from drought in Sichuan

(Aug 16): A heat wave in Sichuan is curbing hydropower generation in a growing threat to electricity supply and economic growth in one of China’s most-populous provinces.

Some factories in the manufacturing hub in southwestern China are curbing production, and the extreme weather may also cut supplies of materials like polysilicon and lithium that are vital to the energy transition.

High temperatures and drought are the worst on record, with the heat expected to continue for another week, according to the Sichuan Provincial Economic and Information Department. Water flows into hydropower reservoirs have dropped by 50% since the start of the month from average historical levels, just as the hot weather boosted power demand, it said on a government website.

The drought is primarily a threat, at least at this stage, to power generation. That’s in contrast to Europe, where the shriveling Rhine River is risking the transit of fuel and other goods. Still, river and coastal shipping carries around 16% of goods in China, according to a transport ministry report in 2020, so there could be problems if water levels keep dropping.

Sichuan and surrounding areas have been grappling with heat and drought since July, with water levels for the Yangtze River — China’s largest waterway — falling to the lowest level for this time of year, according to a report from state-run Xinhua news agency. The province is particularly dependent on hydropower and also sells river-generated electricity to heavily populated eastern parts of China including Shanghai and Zhejiang.

Sichuan accounts for nearly 15% of China’s polysilicon production, and the power outages will further tighten the market, Morgan Stanley analysts including Simon Lee said in a note. It will also reduce lithium supply and push up prices, Daiwa Capital Markets including Dennis Ip said in a note.

The province is also a major manufacturing hub, with Foxconn Technology Co making Apple iPads there. A spokesman for the Taiwanese company said there is limited impact from the drought on the company’s operations in Sichuan.

Volkswagen AG also has a plant in Sichuan. The automaker’s China spokesperson said its factory in Chengdu is affected by power shortages, but it was only expecting slight delays in deliveries to customers.

In Hubei province, next to Sichuan, outflows from the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, are down about 40% from last year, according to sxcoal.com, an industry news service.

However, China is unlikely to see nationwide power outages due to the drought, said Hanyang Wei, an analyst at BloombergNEF.  Most provinces are more dependent on coal for electricity generation, and plants stocked up on the fossil fuel before summer in line with government directives, he said.

Here are some of the companies impacted by the drought in Sichuan:

  • At least three fertilizer companies have curbed production, with Sichuan Lutianhua Co saying this week’s power outage will lead to 30 million yuan (US$4.4 million) of losses, according to company filings.
  • Aluminum smelter Henan Zhongfu Industry Co said in a filing that it will halt some production in Sichuan for a week, cutting profit by 78 million yuan.
  • Leading solar manufacturer Tongwei Co said it’s received a power rationing notice.