FPL unveils new smart grid technology center – a state-of-the-art diagnostics hub for improving reliability

March 25, 2015

FPL unveils new smart grid technology center – a state-of-the-art diagnostics hub for improving reliability

Integrating advanced technology is one example of FPL’s commitment to building a stronger, smarter electric grid

JUNO BEACH, Fla., March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) today announced the launch of its new, high-tech Power Delivery Diagnostic Center, which is designed to leverage advanced smart grid technology to better manage the electric system and deliver reliable service that ranks among the best in the nation.

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“The electric grid, which was designed and built across the United States many years ago, has remained largely unchanged for decades,” said Manny Miranda, vice president of power delivery for FPL. “During the past few years, however, we’ve made – and we continue to make – significant improvements by integrating advanced technology to make the grid much stronger and smarter. Through innovative solutions such as this diagnostic center, we have greater awareness of the performance of FPL’s grid, one of the most advanced systems in the nation, enabling us to improve reliability for our customers.”

FPL is investing in smart grid technology and using predictive analytics to deliver real-time data to engineers in its diagnostic center. Engineers, in turn, analyze the data to measure and improve the performance of the electric grid.

FPL began modernizing its system in 2010 with the widespread installation of smart meters, funded in part by a $200 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. Since then, FPL has invested an additional $600 million, installing more than 12,000 smart devices and thousands of sensors and monitors on transformers, breakers and battery banks. The company is also investing in digital microprocessor technology that provides real-time telemetry and fault information – helping the company quickly identify and locate potential causes of outages.

“While other utilities are on the doorstep of a technological leap that will set new expectations for how companies handle reliability, FPL is already a national leader,” said Jeff Lewis, PA Consulting Group’s ReliabilityOne™ program director. “FPL has kept the needs of customers at the forefront of its system improvements, hinging its business success on maintaining the highest standard of reliability.”

Customer benefits of a smarter grid

Improved overall service reliability – increased reliability by more than 20 percent in the last five years
Enhanced detection and prevention of outages
Reduction in the length of outages
Faster repairs and more accurate time estimates for service restoration
Keeping customer bills low – by reducing operating costs and increasing efficiencies
Unprecedented customer control over energy usage – customers with activated smart meters can see their energy use by the hour, day and month on their “Energy Dashboard”

Smart meters help FPL run its operations more efficiently, delivering more than $30 million in operational savings in 2014 alone – savings that help FPL keep bills low for customers. More savings come from a reduction in the number of times FPL crews have to make trips into the field to perform work – 170,000 fewer field visits through 2014. Customers also benefit from faster, more convenient service connection and disconnection when opening or closing accounts.

FPL recently filed its annual 2015 Smart Meter Progress Report with the Florida Public Service Commission, outlining 2014 achievements.

2014 achievements

Installed 150,000 smart meters for commercial and industrial customers
Improved outage detection, prevention and service restoration
- 40,000 outage tickets supplemented with beneficial smart meter data – helping expedite restoration
- 10,000 proactive outage tickets generated before the customer reported the outage; service restored for 2,000 of these before the customer called FPL
- 2,000 transformers proactively replaced – smart data helps reveal potential issues with equipment so crews can replace it before it breaks
- 500,000 avoided customer outages
- 1,600 automated switches added to the electric system – 400 feeder switches and 1,200 lateral switches that help improve the system’s ability to automatically restore and reroute power, decreasing the number of customers affected by outages

2015 plans

Completion of smart meter deployment to commercial and industrial customers
Launch of meter enclosure alert service (MEAS) – proactive detection of potential power quality issues for customers due to issues with their meter enclosures
Deployment of thousands of smart grid devices to further improve reliable service – including an additional 775 automated feeder switches, more than 20,000 automated lateral switches, distribution grid sensors and monitors, fault current indicators and vault transformer monitors

“We have made remarkable strides in our ability to monitor and manage the electric system today compared to even a few years ago. Now we can detect and prevent many issues before they become problems for our customers, and when outages do occur, we restore power quicker and get life back to normal faster,” said Miranda.

Investing in smart grid technology is part of FPL’s commitment to building a stronger, smarter grid while giving customers unprecedented ability to gain control over their energy use. FPL launched its online Energy Dashboard, where customers monitor and assess their energy use to help lower their bills. Last year, customers accessed the Energy Dashboard more than 3 million times. FPL continues to enhance dashboard features and improve functions for its business, net-metering (solar) and time-of-use rate customers.

In 2014, FPL won the Smart Grid Project of the Year Award at the DistribuTECH Awards held by POWERGRID International magazine, and a 2014 ReliabilityOne™ award in the category of Outstanding Technology and Innovation in the U.S., awarded by PA Consulting Group.

Watch Video about Smart Grid
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About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving more than 4.7 million customer accounts across nearly half of the state of Florida. FPL’s typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 25 percent lower than the national average and, in 2014, was the lowest in Florida among reporting utilities for the fifth year in a row. FPL’s service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all utilities nationwide. The company was recognized in 2014 as the most trusted U.S. electric utility by Market Strategies International, and has earned the national ServiceOne Award for outstanding customer service for an unprecedented 10 consecutive years. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,700 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a leading clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, including being named to Fortune’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.” NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the largest generator in North America of renewable energy from the wind and sun. For more information, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

Theme of Latin American Advertising and Media Summit is revealed

March 25, 2015

MIAMI, March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — “Building Brand Leadership in a Disruptive World” will be the overall theme of Portada’s upcoming 7^th Annual Latin American Advertising and Media Summit in Miami’s Hyatt Regency Hotel on June 3-4, 2015. “This theme was selected by the major brand marketers who are part of our Editorial Board and crystallizes the opportunities and challenges that major brands face today,” says Marcos Baer publisher of Portada.

#PortadaLat which comprehends The 7^th Annual Latin American Advertising and Media Summit and the preceding Latin Online Video Forum is the annual gathering of marketers, agency, media executives and digital influencers and innovators in the Latin world. http://www.portada-online.com/events/summit/

How can brands zero-in on Latin audiences from Patagonia to Texas in a world dominated by technological disruption? What opportunities do Social Media and Advertising Technologies provide to brands marketing to the quickly growing Latin American consumer base?

The below content areas will be explored in-depth to answer these questions:

– How mobility will change LatAm Marketing forever
– The best use of Advertising-Technologies in Latin America
– Online Video Platforms: From aggregation and curation to branded Entertainment and SVOD
– Balance of Panregional and Local Marketing
– Understand how to market in Mexico
– Paid Media and Content Marketing Integrations
– “Get” Brazil

Find out at the 2015 LatAm Summit (#PortadaLat) where the leading and brightest players in the Latin American marketing, media and content world will explore how brands can overturn conventions and shake up the Latin marketplace.

Already Confirmed Speakers include:

– Ruben Leo, Marketing/Digital Marketing Director / Mexico & International, Genomma Lab
– Denisse Guerra, Regional Marketing Director, Latin America, The Estee Lauder Companies
– Manuel Medina Riveroll, Marketing Director Mexico, Bayer
– Carlos Espindola, Gerente eHub Latinoamerica, 3M
– Jose Ruiz, Director, LAD Advertising & Online, Oracle
– Raquel Solorzano, Directora de Medios Regionales, Diageo
– Erich Wasserman, Co-Founder, Chief Revenue Officer, MediaMath
– Tomas Salvagni, Managing Director Sales and Marketing, Grupo Clarin
– Jon Suarez Davis, VP, Global Media & Digital Strategy, Kellogg Company

More major themes, special sessions and path breaking speakers will be announced in the coming weeks!

REGISTRATION:
Take advantage of the Early Bird registration (including a special price of the Combo for the Latin American Advertising and Media Summit and Latin Online Video Forum please go here:
https://www.portada-online.com/events/summit/register/

CONFIRMED SPONSORS OF #PORTADALAT
LATIN ONLINE VIDEO FORUM
Silver Sponsor:
YuMe (http://www.yume.com/)

LATIN AMERICAN ADVERTISING AND MEDIA SUMMIT
Distinguished Sponsors:
Alcance Media Group (http://alcancemg.com/)
Efe News Services (http://www.efe.com/)
MD Latino (http://www.mdlatino.com/)
Zoomin.TV (http://corporate.zoomin.tv/)

Attendee Bag Sponsor:
Latcom (http://www.latcom.com/)

WiFi Sponsor:
Teads (http://teads.tv/)

Official Wire Sponsor:
Marketwired (http://www.marketwired.com/)

For information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kelley Eberhardt, Director of Sales Marketing at 212-685-4441 ([email protected])

PHOTO ADVISORY: Unilever’s Vive Mejor Campaign Introduced Brand Innovations for 2015 to Latina Influencers at Hispanicize 2015

March 25, 2015

ViveMejorResize — #HISPZ15 attendees chat about recipes and beauty tips at the #ViveMejor lounge.

MIAMI, March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —

Vive Mejor
On Tuesday, March 17, 2015, Vive Mejor helped kick off Hispanicize 2015 in Miami. During the conference, #ViveMejor offered daily interactive activities with food and beauty experts from favorite brands like Dove, Suave, Clear Scalp & Hair, TRESemme, Country Crock, Knorr, Hellmann’s, Lipton, Breyers, Fruttare and Popsicle. For beauty tips and recipes, visit www.vivemejor.com or follow @vivemejor on social media.

Caption: #HISPZ15 attendees chat about recipes and beauty tips at the #ViveMejor lounge.

Hellmann’s/Best Foods
As the official food sponsor of the #HISPZ15 conference, Vive Mejor treated attendees to a daily merienda snack. On Tuesday, March 17, 2015, Chef Ema Quevedo created juicy Chimichurri Burgers using a #ViveMejor recipe featuring Hellmann’s/Best Foods Real mayonnaise. The sliders were a welcome delight to conference attendees. For recipes and beauty tips, visit www.vivemejor.com or follow @vivemejor on social media.

Caption: Chef Ema Quevedo informs Hispanicize attendees about the new Hellmann’s/Best Foods packaging to help #SqueezeMoreOut.

Dove
At #Hispz15, Dove was the highlight of the day at the Vive Mejor lounge on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, with one-on-one consultations. Beauty expert Mario Anton nourished and styled curls with Dove Hair Quench Absolute and Dr. Barba provided her dermatology expertise with Dove Advanced Care deodorant and NutriumMoisture technology. For beauty tips and recipes, visit www.vivemejor.com or follow @vivemejor on social media.

Caption: Vive Mejor Beauty Expert Mario Anton and Dove Hair Curlbassador Jeannette Kaplun from www.HispanaGlobal.com use Dove Hair Quench Absolute products for styling #LoveYourCurls.

Knorr & Aguacates de Mexico
As the official food sponsor of Hispanicize 2015, Vive Mejor treated attendees to a daily merienda snack. On Wednesday, March 18, 2015, Chef Ema Quevedo and Chef Maggie Jimenez showcased the #ViveMejor Caribbean Guacamole recipe using Aguacates de Mexico (www.aguacatesdemexico.com) and Knorr to add an extra layer of flavor. Attendees were delighted to have this savory, nutritious dish to get them through the busy day. For recipes and beauty tips, visit www.vivemejor.com or follow @vivemejor on social media.

Caption: Chefs Ema Quevedo and Maggie Jimenez pose for the cameras before their Caribbean Guacamole food demo featuring Aguacates de Mexico and Knorr.

Suave
On Thursday, March 19, 2015, #ViveMejor Celebrity Beauty Expert Leo Rocco held court at Hispanicize 2015, showing conference attendees how to #StyleItYourself with Suave Professionals products. The beauty guru provided his personal styling tips and tricks for beautiful locks. For beauty tips and recipes, visit www.vivemejor.com or follow @vivemejor on social media.

Caption: Celebrity Beauty Expert Leo Rocco provides Lifestyle Expert Dee Trillo from www.HauteFrugalista.com with salon-inspired beauty tips at Hispanicize 2015.

Media Contact: Reynaldo J. Delgado; 305-358-9500; [email protected]

NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution images are available at: http://hispanicprwire.com/en/multimedia/

Volaris, Now Arriving in New York

March 25, 2015

Volaris, Now Arriving in New York

Volaris to connect Guadalajara and The Big Apple

Carrier furthers expansion into the US Eastern Coast

MEXICO CITY, March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Volaris (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR) the ultra low cost Mexican airline with the most extensive route network servicing Mexico and the US, announced today a nonstop flight to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from Guadalajara, starting July 15, 2015.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150305/179848LOGO

Volaris continues to consolidate international expansion efforts, with new service that allows Mexicans particularly Jalisco residents, to visit family and friends living in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the United States and the headquarters of major industries and businesses, the largest regional economy in the United States and the world’s second largest urban economy.

“Just as Frank Sinatra said in his most famous song, we want our customers to live the experience of the city that never sleeps, which is why we are so excited to now offer this new nonstop flight consolidating our position as the Mexican carrier with the widest route network,” stated Enrique Beltranena, Volaris Chief Executive Officer. “There’s no better way to achieve this than with service connecting Mexico’s Perla Tapatia with The Big Apple.”

“We can’t say enough of a city with such a high tourism profile that is sure to delight our Guadalajara customer base, from its beautiful high-rises, Broadway productions, and museums, to its amazing parks, wide array of stores, and everything else the city has to offer tourists. Let’s not forget a visit to New York City isn’t complete without a tour of the Statue of Liberty, and this can all be achieved with our clean and clear fares, on board one of the youngest fleets in the Americas,” Beltranena added.

Volaris has consolidated as the carrier with the greatest international connectivity from Guadalajara, where it now operates 20 international and 18 domestic flights, and to date has transported 16 million passengers, a number on the rise as a result of significant growth achieved by the carrier out of this city in 2014.

For those interested in the new service, flight schedules, including dates and times of operation, are announced as follows:

Guadalajara, Jalisco – New York, New York
(Effective July 15, 2015. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays)

Departing Guadalajara, Jalisco at 17:45 hrs., arriving New York at 23:35 hrs.
Departing Nueva York at 01:25 hrs., arriving Guadalajara, Jalisco at 05:55 hrs.

Launched at an inaugural fare starting at US $204, flights are available for booking with Volaris’ innovative pay-per-service plan, Tu Decides, whereby travelers specifically select only those services they need for their trip. Booking is available for customers on all Volaris sales channels including online (www.volaris.com), our Call Centers in Mexico (01-800-122-8000) and the US (1-866-988-3527), or through any of our authorized travel agencies.

About Volaris

Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR) is an ultra low cost airline providing point to point services and operating between Mexico and the US. The ultra low cost highly efficient business model offered by Volaris provides low base fares to develop its market, coupled with outstanding levels of quality services and a wide array of products. Since beginning their operations in March 2006, Volaris has increased its routes from an initial 5 to a current 132 and its fleet from 4 to 51 aircraft. Volaris currently operates over 200 daily flight segments on routes connecting 38 cities in Mexico and 20 cities in the United States with Mexico’s most modern airplane fleet. Volaris targets passengers visiting friends and family, price sensitive business travelers, and leisure travelers in Mexico and to select US destinations. Proudly Mexican, Volaris is regarded as one of the new leading companies in the country. Among other recognitions, Volaris has received the prestigious ESR Award for Social Corporate Responsibility for five consecutive years. For more information, please visit: www.volaris.com

Redesigned Survey Reveals Latest Residential Landscape Design Trends

March 25, 2015

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Sustainable and low-maintenance design are the top trends for residential landscape projects, according to the 2015 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150324/194145

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Landscape architects were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements in 2015. Respondents expected the greatest demand for ecologically sensitive projects intended to preserve the environment, conserve water and reduce landscape maintenance.

Here are the top ten project types with the expected highest consumer demand:

Native plants (85 percent)
Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants (83 percent)
Food/vegetable gardens (79 percent)
Fire pits/fireplaces (78 percent)
Low-maintenance landscapes (78 percent)
Permeable paving (77 percent)
Drip/water-efficient irrigation (74 percent)
Rain gardens (74 percent)
Lighting (72 percent)
Rainwater/graywater harvesting (71 percent)

“Consumers care about designed landscapes that are attractive, easy to take care of and eco-friendly,” says Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. “The survey shows that homeowners increasingly see opportunities to improve the environment right in their own backyard.”

The survey asked landscape architecture professionals about the estimated popularity of various residential design elements for 2015. The survey was fielded February 13 through February 27, 2015, with 581 responding. ASLA redesigned the survey for 2015 and introduced a new methodology to more clearly rank the popularity of different types of landscape projects.

The top three most popular outdoor design elements include fire pits/fireplaces (78 percent), lighting (72 percent) and grills (63 percent). The top landscape and garden elements include native plants (85 percent), food and vegetable gardens (79 percent) and low-maintenance landscapes (78 percent). Pergolas (51 percent), decks (45 percent) and fencing (42 percent) are expected to be the most popular outdoor structures.

The hottest sustainable design elements include native/adapted drought-tolerant plants (83 percent), permeable paving (77 percent) and drip/water-efficient irrigation (74 percent).

Forty percent of respondents noted that the most popular outdoor recreation amenities for 2015 will include spa features—hot tubs, Jacuzzis, whirlpools, and indoor/outdoor saunas—and swimming pools.

For more landscape ideas for your home, and to find a professional in your area, visit www.asla.org/residentialinfo.

High-res photos of residential projects that have won ASLA awards are available for media only. Contact Karen Grajales at [email protected] or (202) 216-2371.

Outdoor Design Elements