Triunity awarded Denver regional transportation district project management contract

Triunity, A Lochner Company, has been selected by Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) for the Project Management Support Consultant contract, overseeing design, construction, repair, renovation, and replacement projects for transit infrastructure throughout the Denver Metro area. Triunity will serve as an extension of RTD’s staff supporting various upcoming projects, including the $152 million, multi-phased project to reconstruct the 30-year-old light-rail track in downtown Denver. The first of its kind in the agency’s history, the project will enhance safety and mobility, address deteriorating transit infrastructure, and prolong the design life of key transportation assets. The first phase, which begins construction in June of 2024, will concentrate on five at-grade street-running track segments at intersections in the Downtown Loop, including removing and reconstructing all aging rail infrastructure, ties, and ballast. Subsequent phases plan to employ alternative delivery approaches to increase collaboration and enhance project delivery timelines. “Triunity is proud to continue our partnership with RTD, supporting their ongoing mission of making lives better through connections. We look forward to working with the agency and other stakeholders to elevate the city’s infrastructure and reinforce RTD’s unwavering commitment to the community,” stated Jonnie Thomas, PE, Lochner Board Director and Transit & Rail Principal. Triunity…

Planera revolutionizes construction scheduling with industry-first integrated solution

Planera, a leading provider of construction CPM scheduling and planning solutions, has announced a groundbreaking innovation: the industry’s first full-stack construction planning tool. This solution seamlessly integrates master and working schedules, enabling unified management of both high-level planning (Levels 1-3) and detailed planning (Levels 4-5). Planera’s Working Schedule addresses a critical pain point in construction scheduling – the disconnect between master and working schedules. Traditionally, these schedules resided in separate software programs, forcing contractors to manage them manually. This siloed approach led to delays, information gaps, and decreased profitability. Planera’s solution breaks down these barriers by unifying both schedules within a single platform, empowering construction teams to manage everything seamlessly. “The way construction scheduling has been managed is not just inefficient– it is broken,” said Nitin Bhandari, CEO and co-founder of Planera. “Both master and working schedules are integral elements to a successful project, and it is absolutely necessary to have visibility around both, as well as the ability to manage them together, without extensive manual effort. Planera’s Working Schedule provides the ability for both portions of project scheduling to be created and managed in one platform, establishing an automatic link between the two and mitigating the biggest issue faced…

Homebuilding Gets a Boost as TraceAir and PermitFlow Join Forces

Two industry leaders are joining forces to streamline the homebuilding and construction process. TraceAir, a leading provider of construction site analysis software, and PermitFlow, a specialist in construction permit applications and management software, have announced a strategic partnership. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the residential construction industry by simplifying workflows and tackling regulatory hurdles. “We are excited to partner with PermitFlow to offer our clients a comprehensive solution that addresses their needs throughout the entire construction lifecycle,” said Maria Khokhlova, co-founder of TraceAir. “Together, we are committed to empowering builders and contractors with the tools they need to succeed in today’s competitive market.” The partnership offers significant benefits to both companies’ customers. TraceAir users will gain access to PermitFlow’s innovative permit management solutions, simplifying compliance with complex regulations. Conversely, PermitFlow users will benefit from TraceAir’s advanced land development tools, enabling more efficient project planning and budget management. “This partnership with TraceAir represents a pivotal moment for the construction industry,” added Francis Thumpasery, co-founder and CEO of PermitFlow. “By partnering with TraceAir, we are setting a new standard for efficiency and reliability in project execution. We believe our combined efforts will make a substantial difference in managing construction projects, paving the…

NASA selects RTX’s Blue Canyon Technologies to build Spacecraft for PolSIR Mission

NASA has selected Blue Canyon Technologies, a small satellite manufacturer owned by RTX, to provide multiple spacecraft buses for the PolSIR mission. The mission aims to study ice clouds that form at high altitudes throughout tropical and sub-tropical regions. PolSIR, which stands for Polarized Submillimeter Ice-cloud Radiometer, will employ two 12U CubeSats equipped with radiometers to observe the daily cycle of ice content in the clouds. The spacecraft will fly in separate orbits, collecting data on the clouds across two spectral bands. This data will be crucial for improving climate forecasts and providing climate models with valuable insights on how Earth’s atmosphere changes over time. “Supporting this critical mission builds on our heritage of weather monitoring missions including TEMPEST-D and TROPICS,” said Chris Winslett, general manager of Blue Canyon Technologies. The project is led by a team from Vanderbilt University, with NASA Goddard providing the project management team for building the instruments and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Space Science and Engineering Center handling science operations.

CBRE Strengthens Climate Risk Assessment with Climate X Partnership

Global real estate leader CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE) has announced a strategic partnership with Climate X, a risk analysis platform. This collaboration will provide CBRE’s clients with enhanced climate risk assessments, leading to more informed sustainability strategies. This agreement allows CBRE’s sustainability specialists to leverage Climate X’s data and translate complex climate risk scenarios into actionable insights. Clients will benefit from a clearer understanding of potential climate threats at specific locations, empowering them to make informed decisions regarding their property investments and operations. “Companies are operating in a world of increasing climate risks while also trying to advance their efforts to reduce emissions across their portfolios. This challenge will become more daunting as global temperatures continue to rise. We are simplifying complexity for our clients through a transparent, end-to-end approach to climate risk assessments and decarbonization strategies at a global and asset level,” said Rob Bernard, CBRE’s chief sustainability officer. Climate X’s platform provides valuable data on various local climate hazards such as coastal flooding, drought, extreme heat, landslides, storms, and wildfires. This data will enhance CBRE’s ability to assist clients in calculating capital expenditure needs and potential returns on investment for building retrofits or acquisitions that improve resilience and…

Arizona Electric Co-Op Unveils Solar-Plus-Storage Project Powered by AI

Stem (NYSE: STEM), a leading global provider of AI-driven clean energy solutions, has partnered with Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) to deploy a groundbreaking solar-plus-storage project for a member cooperative. This project, located at Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Co-op (SSVEC), is the first of three similar deployments planned for AEPCO’s member cooperatives. It combines a 40-megawatt hour (MWh) energy storage system with an existing 20-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (solar) system. Stem’s award-winning AI software, Athena®, will be integrated to optimise performance and manage the entire system on a single platform. All three projects are expected to be operational by the end of 2024. “More than 900 electric co-ops across 48 states make up the largest electric utility network in the U.S. The segment is forecasted to be one of the fastest growing segments of the front-of-the-meter (FTM) market through the end of this decade and is projected to represent over 20% of all future storage deployments,” said John Carrington, Chief Executive Officer of Stem. “Stem’s unique combination of AI-driven software, hardware, and services is enabling enhanced value and project returns at scale for co-ops and their members. We are excited to bring our proven capabilities and market experience to AEPCO and…

Procore Unveils AI-Powered Construction Tech Advancements at Innovation Summit 2024

Procore Technologies (NYSE: PCOR), a global leader in construction management software, kicked off its Innovation Summit 2024 today, showcasing a suite of new product advancements designed to revolutionise collaboration throughout the construction lifecycle. For the past two decades, Procore has built a construction platform, serving customers worldwide from pre-construction to project completion. Now, the company is doubling down on its commitment to guide the industry through rapid technological advancements. This year’s Innovation Summit unveils major updates to Procore’s core offerings in project management, quality control, safety, and construction financials. These advancements leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and data to empower users and drive business success. Here are some key highlights from the announced product updates: Find out more here

Canadian Firm to Lead Refurbishment of Romanian Nuclear Power Plant

Romania’s nuclear operator, SN Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN), has signed a significant agreement with Canadian Nuclear Partners S.A. (CNPSA) to ensure the successful refurbishment of Unit 1 at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. The Framework Agreement, valued at approximately €240 million (£208 million), will see CNPSA establish a dedicated Project Management Organization (PMO) to oversee the entire refurbishment process. This includes providing expertise in project management, technical assistance, consulting, and training specific to CANDU reactors – the technology used at Cernavoda. The project aims to extend the operational lifespan of Unit 1 by 30 years, securing a reliable and clean energy source for Romania beyond 2029. This collaboration leverages Canada’s proven track record in delivering CANDU refurbishment projects on time and within budget. “The world is watching as Ontario continues to deliver multi-billion-dollar CANDU nuclear refurbishment projects on time and on budget” said Ontario Minister Todd Smith. “We’re ready to support our allies, leveraging all that experience and expertise to support the refurbishment of Cernavoda NPP Unit 1 so it can continue to deliver reliable and clean energy for generations to come, and provide continued energy security.” “With increasing geopolitical volatility, it is clear that countries around the world are looking…

Apogee appoints veteran leader Frank Varga as new CEO

Apogee, a leading provider of defense and security solutions, announced the appointment of Frank Varga as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 23, 2024. Varga succeeds company founder Wes Georges, who has led Apogee since its inception in 2004. Varga brings over 28 years of experience in operations and management within the government and defense sectors. He boasts a distinguished 15-year tenure with Apogee, having held key leadership positions, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer. His deep understanding of the defense industry, coupled with his strategic vision and commitment to excellence, positioned him perfectly to take the helm at Apogee. Frank said: “I am honored and excited to continue leading this amazing organization. I have been fortunate to help shape this incredibly committed team of professionals dedicated to delivering exceptional solutions to our customers. As CEO, we will continue to foster innovation, respond rapidly to need, and build long-term value and sustained growth for our partners, employees, and customer organizations. The future of Apogee is bright, bold, and limitless.” Prior to joining Apogee, Varga’s career included serving as a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton and in the United States Air Force, specializing in space communications…

Wyoming breaks ground on Nation’s First-of-its-kind nuclear power plant

Construction is officially underway on America’s next nuclear power plant, marking a significant milestone in the country’s clean energy journey. Bechtel, a global leader in engineering and construction, celebrated the groundbreaking of the Natrium Demonstration Project alongside its partner, TerraPower. The Natrium Demonstration Project, located in Kemmerer, Wyoming, is the first-of-its-kind in the United States. This innovative project is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, signifying a commitment to exploring and deploying next-generation nuclear technology. The Natrium reactor utilizes a groundbreaking sodium-based cooling system, a departure from traditional water-cooled reactors. This technology offers a clean, baseload operation capable of generating 345 megawatts of power, with the potential to flexibly scale up to 500 megawatts – enough to meet the energy needs of approximately 400,000 homes. “The Natrium reactor’s innovative design will launch a new approach to nuclear plant construction that is designed to be safer, cleaner, faster, and more efficient than many energy source alternatives.” “Working together, the combination of advanced technology and streamlined constructability has the potential to diversify the U.S. power generation industry. The option of deploying smaller advanced nuclear plants that can work in concert with other clean energy sources will help…