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FESA announces a strategic collaboration with Athena Hepburn

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FESA announces a strategic collaboration with Athena Hepburn
Business

Business

FESA announces a strategic collaboration with Athena Hepburn

2026-01-15 16:00 Last Updated At:17:26

MADRID, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Future of Equestrian Sport Alliance (FESA) is pleased to announce a collaboration with Athena Hepburn, an international dressage rider competing at the highest level of the sport.

Athena A. M. Hepburn is a passionate and dedicated dressage rider and trainer with a strong foundation in natural horsemanship, specializing in the Parelli method. With extensive training under renowned professionals Luis Lucio and Juan Matute, she combines behavioral psychology and effective communication techniques to build strong, harmonious relationships with horses.

Athena Hepburn recently distinguished herself on the international stage by winning the kings cup in the Grand Prix U25 and is the 2025 Madrid champion of Grand Prix. Granddaughter of the iconic Audrey Hepburn, she represents a new generation of equestrians combining sporting excellence, cultural awareness and responsible engagement.

This collaboration aligns fully with FESA's mission as a Geneva-based international alliance dedicated to protecting, modernising and securing the future of equestrian sport in the face of today's challenges — including animal welfare, sustainable performance, innovation and societal expectations.

A collaboration focused on the future of the sport

Through this partnership, Athena Hepburn will contribute to initiatives led by FESA around high-performance sport and equine welfare, within a framework of collective action, shared responsibility and long-term vision. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian and German.

This collaboration aims to foster a constructive approach grounded in field experience, shared expertise and a responsible vision for the future of equestrian sport.

A shared vision

"Athena embodies the spirit of FESA: an athlete who is committed, credible and deeply connected to the realities of the sport," said FESA.
"Her perspective and engagement are valuable assets in shaping the future of equestrian sport."

Athena added: " I am delighted to collaborate with FESA at this pivotal moment for our sport. Contributing to a collective action in support of the future of equestrian sport and equine welfare is both a responsibility and a privilege and complements my professional life."

About FESA

The Future of Equestrian Sport Alliance (FESA) is an international alliance bringing together athletes, federations, scientists, universities and partners committed to ensuring the economic, social and ethical sustainability of equestrian sport — today and for generations to come.

Contact
Juan Carlos Capelli
juan-carlos@fesa.foundation
+49 1575 1127150

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

FESA announces a strategic collaboration with Athena Hepburn

FESA announces a strategic collaboration with Athena Hepburn

PORT MACQUARIE, Australia, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the leading global PV inverter and energy storage system provider, has supported the delivery of a 300kW commercial solar upgrade at Saint Columba Anglican School (SCAS) in Port Macquarie. Delivered in partnership with local installer MNC Solar Power, the project replaced an ageing 100kW system with a high-capacity solar solution designed to reduce electricity costs, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen the school's long-term sustainability commitments.

 

  • Four-Year Payback: Sungrow Delivers Long-Term Solution for SCAS

Schools like SCAS face increasing energy demands and rising electricity costs. As a large educational campus with multiple buildings and high daytime energy demand, SCAS required a scalable and efficient solar solution capable of maximising on-site energy consumption. The upgrade enables the school to significantly offset grid electricity use and achieve long-term operational savings, with an estimated payback period of approximately four years.

"We'll be able to offset the upfront capital costs within around four years. That means ongoing savings for the school, which helps take pressure off our operating expenses and allows us to continue delivering a great education for our students without rising electricity costs," said Steve Mitchell, Business Manager, Saint Columba Anglican School.

  • Sungrow Technology Leads with Intelligent, Distance–Free Solar Networking

The newly installed system integrates three Sungrow 110 kW commercial inverters with 708 high–efficiency Canadian Solar 440 W panels.

"While using Modbus as the protocol, the system employs a logger-based wireless casading technology, the inverters will be connected via the school's existing wireless network, enabling intelligent load sharing across multiple buildings without the distance limitations or complexity of traditional cabling." said Young, Technical Service Manager, Sungrow.

This advanced system architecture enables more than 300 kW of solar generation to be dynamically balanced across distribution boards, ensuring optimal energy utilisation, enhanced system flexibility, and significantly reduced reliance on grid power.

  • Real-Time Monitoring and Educational Opportunities for Students

Aside from system flexibility, the upgrade also provides SCAS with real–time energy monitoring through the iSolarCloud platform. Steve Mitchell highlights the immediate benefit: "We've now got data at our fingertips. We can log into the dashboard and see how much electricity the panels are generating, what we're consuming, and what's being exported to the grid." The platform serves as a valuable educational tool, giving students and teachers real–world insights into energy generation and consumption.

  • A Seamless and Safe Installation Experience

The successful delivery of the project reflects the strong collaboration between Sungrow and MNC Solar Power, a trusted Mid North Coast installer with more than 30 years of industry experience. Sungrow's direct technical support ensured a smooth and safe installation process during the school holiday period, with no disruptions to school operations.

This project demonstrates how Sungrow's leading commercial inverter solutions, combined with strong local partnerships, can deliver reliable and scalable solar systems for complex environments such as educational campuses. By enabling smarter energy management and real-time performance insights, Sungrow continues to support educational institutions and business in accelerating their transition to clean, efficient, and cost-effective energy.

About MNC Solar Power

MNC Solar Power is a Port Macquarie based solar battery specialist with over 30 years of combined industry experience. Serving Port Macquarie, Taree, and Kempsey, MNC Solar Power understands Mid–North Coast conditions and designs residential and commercial systems for maximum performance and long–term savings. With a strong focus on customer service, MNC Solar Power provides clear guidance from consultation to ongoing support. They install only premium products, including CanadianSolar panels and Sungrow inverters, ensuring durable, high–output systems built to last 20+ years.

About Sungrow

Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of June 2025, Sungrow has installed 870 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world's most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we're committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com/en.

Media Contact: Luly Wang, luly.wang@sungrow-hq.com

PORT MACQUARIE, Australia, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the leading global PV inverter and energy storage system provider, has supported the delivery of a 300kW commercial solar upgrade at Saint Columba Anglican School (SCAS) in Port Macquarie. Delivered in partnership with local installer MNC Solar Power, the project replaced an ageing 100kW system with a high-capacity solar solution designed to reduce electricity costs, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen the school's long-term sustainability commitments.

 

  • Four-Year Payback: Sungrow Delivers Long-Term Solution for SCAS

Schools like SCAS face increasing energy demands and rising electricity costs. As a large educational campus with multiple buildings and high daytime energy demand, SCAS required a scalable and efficient solar solution capable of maximising on-site energy consumption. The upgrade enables the school to significantly offset grid electricity use and achieve long-term operational savings, with an estimated payback period of approximately four years.

"We'll be able to offset the upfront capital costs within around four years. That means ongoing savings for the school, which helps take pressure off our operating expenses and allows us to continue delivering a great education for our students without rising electricity costs," said Steve Mitchell, Business Manager, Saint Columba Anglican School.

  • Sungrow Technology Leads with Intelligent, Distance–Free Solar Networking

The newly installed system integrates three Sungrow 110 kW commercial inverters with 708 high–efficiency Canadian Solar 440 W panels.

"While using Modbus as the protocol, the system employs a logger-based wireless casading technology, the inverters will be connected via the school's existing wireless network, enabling intelligent load sharing across multiple buildings without the distance limitations or complexity of traditional cabling." said Young, Technical Service Manager, Sungrow.

This advanced system architecture enables more than 300 kW of solar generation to be dynamically balanced across distribution boards, ensuring optimal energy utilisation, enhanced system flexibility, and significantly reduced reliance on grid power.

  • Real-Time Monitoring and Educational Opportunities for Students

Aside from system flexibility, the upgrade also provides SCAS with real–time energy monitoring through the iSolarCloud platform. Steve Mitchell highlights the immediate benefit: "We've now got data at our fingertips. We can log into the dashboard and see how much electricity the panels are generating, what we're consuming, and what's being exported to the grid." The platform serves as a valuable educational tool, giving students and teachers real–world insights into energy generation and consumption.

  • A Seamless and Safe Installation Experience

The successful delivery of the project reflects the strong collaboration between Sungrow and MNC Solar Power, a trusted Mid North Coast installer with more than 30 years of industry experience. Sungrow's direct technical support ensured a smooth and safe installation process during the school holiday period, with no disruptions to school operations.

This project demonstrates how Sungrow's leading commercial inverter solutions, combined with strong local partnerships, can deliver reliable and scalable solar systems for complex environments such as educational campuses. By enabling smarter energy management and real-time performance insights, Sungrow continues to support educational institutions and business in accelerating their transition to clean, efficient, and cost-effective energy.

About MNC Solar Power

MNC Solar Power is a Port Macquarie based solar battery specialist with over 30 years of combined industry experience. Serving Port Macquarie, Taree, and Kempsey, MNC Solar Power understands Mid–North Coast conditions and designs residential and commercial systems for maximum performance and long–term savings. With a strong focus on customer service, MNC Solar Power provides clear guidance from consultation to ongoing support. They install only premium products, including CanadianSolar panels and Sungrow inverters, ensuring durable, high–output systems built to last 20+ years.

About Sungrow

Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of June 2025, Sungrow has installed 870 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world's most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we're committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com/en.

Media Contact: Luly Wang, luly.wang@sungrow-hq.com

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Advancing Sustainable Education at Saint Columba Anglican School with Sungrow

Advancing Sustainable Education at Saint Columba Anglican School with Sungrow

Advancing Sustainable Education at Saint Columba Anglican School with Sungrow

Advancing Sustainable Education at Saint Columba Anglican School with Sungrow

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