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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the White House have made offshore wind a centerpiece of plans to strengthen the nation’s energy infrastructure, announcing a goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030 — a huge leap from the 42 megawatts (MW) currently in operation. Not only could this provide enough electricity to power 10 million American homes and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 78 million metric tons, it could also support as many as 77,000 new jobs.

The success of this initiative will rely, in large part, on partnerships to accelerate research and development (R&D) and establish new offshore systems in such an ambitious time frame. DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is certain to be at the center of many of these efforts, contributing expertise in research related to offshore wind as well as building coalitions.

NREL has a long, successful track record of collaboration with partners in industry, agencies at all levels of government, and the research community. Offshore wind project partnerships have given NREL the insight needed to develop innovations that solve real-world problems and become the recognized standards for industry. For example, 80% of all prototypes for offshore wind floating platforms have been designed with the help of NREL open-source analysis tools — which NREL created through collaboration with laboratory partners.

With recent announcements of a national goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and the go-ahead to install the first commercial-scale U.S. offshore wind project, NREL and its partners are poised to help meet this ambitious target. Semisubmersible offshore wind platforms accounted for 89% of substructures in floating wind projects either installed or announced in 2019. Other projects may use spar or tension-leg platform substructures. Graphics by Josh Bauer, NREL

NREL’s partners have helped the laboratory build a broad, in-depth understanding of the unique challenges of offshore environments. Offshore wind’s remote locations, deep waters, and extreme weather and ocean conditions present additional design, installation, and operation hurdles in the form of efficiency, cost, and durability.

Offshore wind collaborations bring together the research expertise of NREL staff with the know-how of industry partners, the policymaking perspective of government agencies, and additional support from other laboratories and universities. Researchers work with partners to characterize wind resources, optimize plants and turbines, analyze techno-economic and market factors, and assess potential environmental impacts.

In particular, partners rely on NREL’s pioneering research to boost the performance and market viability of floating platform technologies needed to capture energy in the deepwater locations that account for nearly 60% of U.S. offshore wind resources. The laboratory’s researchers have most recently turned their attention to the integration of offshore wind energy with land-based utility systems to increase grid reliability, resilience, and efficiency.

Transmission of offshore wind energy relies on equipment such as undersea cables to carry power back to the mainland.

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, more than $10 million in funding for NREL offshore wind research projects came from partnerships with industry. The NREL team is working with more than 45 commercial, government, and research organizations on offshore, land-based, and distributed wind research projects in 2021.

This reflects the overall success of the laboratory in cultivating partnerships. Over the last 12 years, NREL has brought in $1 billion in partnership contracts, with more than 900 active partnership agreements and close to 600 unique partners in FY 2020.

With the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind development recently cleared for installation by the U.S. Department of the Interior off the coast of Massachusetts, the NREL offshore wind team hopes to engage with new partners to grow its collaborative base and make even more meaningful contributions to this burgeoning industry in the coming years.

Giving Industry the Tools To Compete

Industry partners know they can bank on the intellectual capital of experienced NREL researchers to develop and refine breakthrough offshore wind technologies and provide the balanced, market-savvy guidance needed for successful deployment. In addition, NREL offers industry partners hands-on research collaboration, technical assistance, deployment guidance, research facility use, and technology licensing.

“Collaboration with industry is key to making sure our R&D addresses real-world issues and priorities, while helping transfer scientific knowledge from the lab to the marketplace,” said NREL Principal Engineer Jeroen van Dam. “We’re giving offshore developers the tools to establish market parity — and giving the United States resources to join the field of international players.”

Through collaborations with the primary offshore wind regulators — the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement — and in coordination with the Business Network for Offshore Wind and the American Clean Power Association trade organizations, NREL is helping lead the development of industry standards that will define the requirements for utility-scale deployment of offshore wind in the United States. The team also works with individual companies — from startups to established corporations — including system operators, developers, original equipment manufacturers, energy suppliers, and investors. Scores of U.S. companies are currently involved in building, running, or supporting supply chains related to offshore systems.

The laboratory provides a credible source for objective expertise and validated data, bolstering rather than competing with industry efforts. NREL research focuses on early-stage technologies, where industry investments tend to be lean, while also targeting R&D priorities with potential for future commercialization. This has included collaboration on tools needed for industry to eventually develop larger, more powerful turbines and optimize system performance, efficiency, reliability, and affordability.

NREL takes broader economic factors into consideration when assessing the potential impact of offshore wind research and development. Offshore wind could trigger more than $12 billion per year in U.S. capital investment in offshore wind projects and spur significant activity and growth for ports, factories, and construction.

NREL also takes bigger economic factors into consideration when assessing the potential impact of offshore wind research and development. Eventually, it is estimated that offshore wind could trigger more than $12 billion per year in U.S. capital investment and spur significant activity and growth for ports, factories, and construction operations.

NREL analysts help developers and other industry partners gain crucial, unbiased understanding of the balance among potential offshore wind costs, revenues, and risks within the broader context of technical, legal, regulatory, tax, and policy issues. NREL market reports provide the data needed to support decision-making, including information critical to building the skilled workforce necessary for industry growth.

Building Coalitions To Spur Innovation

NREL has provided ongoing leadership to forge collaborative partnerships that bring together top minds from a range of sectors to form a virtual think tank of offshore wind research experts. In this convening role, NREL acts as a catalyst for exchanging information, tackling large research projects, and providing industry and policy decision makers with the body of scientific knowledge needed to champion new approaches.

NREL’s Walt Musial and Brent Rice join partners to tour the world’s first floating offshore wind farm off the coast of Peterhead, Scotland. Photo by Brent Rice, NREL

A major component of the newly announced U.S. offshore wind initiative announced by the White House calls on the National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium (NOWRDC) to refine the technology needed for deployment at a scale previously unprecedented in this country. The NOWRDC, which is managed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) with contributions from four other states plus DOE, benefits from the technical direction of NREL Offshore Wind Platform Lead Walt Musial, as well as the laboratory’s regular representation on the NOWRDC R&D Advisory Group and leadership of several projects.

“The developers and states really set the pace,” Musial said. “They’re ultimately the ones who will be responsible for rolling out and operating new offshore systems. Our job is to arm them with the information they need to maximize clean energy production in ways that will work best to help them achieve the lowest cost for their project.”

The laboratory’s involvement in coalition efforts reaches across the country and around the globe. Many International Energy Agency Wind Technology Collaboration Programme (IEA Wind) research tasks, which engage academia and industry across three continents, are led by NREL research staff. This includes development of a 15-MW reference turbine in partnership with IEA Wind and DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office to help design larger, more powerful, next-generation turbines.

NREL’s global and national partnerships are helping design larger, more powerful, next-generation offshore wind technologies, such as the IEA Wind 15-MW reference turbine.

NREL has a long, successful history of partnerships with international and U.S. universities and research institutions, including other national laboratories. The laboratory’s university affiliations encompass professors collaborating on NREL projects, NREL researchers advising graduate students, and projects supported by university funding. Consortia comprising multiple institutions and larger collaborations that involve several different agencies, universities, labs, and private-sector partners bring a range of perspectives to offshore wind solutions.

Collaborative efforts helmed by other U.S. government agencies, including DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) office and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), also rely on NREL research expertise. For example, ARPA-E has funded the Aerodynamic Turbines Lighter and Afloat with Nautical Technologies and Integrated Servo-control (ATLANTIS) program to develop new floating offshore wind turbines by tightly integrating control systems and design. NREL leads three ATLANTIS projects, working with one other national laboratory, four universities, and four industry partners.

Tapping One-of-a-Kind Offshore Wind Expertise

So, why do all of these organizations choose to partner with NREL on offshore wind research projects?

Certain collaborative undertakings rely on NREL’s high-performance Eagle supercomputer and world-class Flatirons Campus research facilities to put innovative offshore wind technologies and strategies through their paces. NREL software tools make it possible for researchers and partners to build models and simulate performance based on the laboratory’s formidable collections of data.

But NREL also offers one-of-a-kind expertise from its staff of 150 wind energy scientists, engineers, and analysts, many of whom contribute their multidisciplinary knowledge to offshore projects. With numerous cumulative decades of research experience, the team is able to tap a deep base of knowledge specific to offshore wind, as well as wider-reaching input from experts in related disciplines such as land-based wind power, other areas of clean energy generation, transmission, and integration. This cross-cutting approach has recently led scientists to uncover new efficiencies for converting wind energy to hydrogen that can be readily stored and used for a range of applications.

In surveys, multiple partners have given NREL high marks for its collaborative approach, distinct technical capabilities, and strong understanding of current needs and priorities.

“If we want the nation’s ambitious vision for offshore wind to become reality, we all need to pull together,” Musial said.

“These partnerships with industry, universities, other labs, and government agencies are crucial to developing the right technology, installing it at the right locations, and connecting it to the grid so that we can maximize offshore’s contribution to the country’s affordable clean energy mix.”

Article courtesy of the NREL, the U.S. Department of Energy.

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Audi unleashes the 2025 RS e-tron GT: a record-breaking electric beast

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November 21, 2024

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Audi unleashes the 2025 RS e-tron GT: a record-breaking electric beast

Audi RS e-tron GT hero

Audi has launched the new 2025 RS e-tron GT and S e-tron GT to update its top-performance EV lineup with what is now the most powerful and fastest accelerating production vehicle in the brand’s history.

With almost 1,000 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of just 2.4 seconds, Audi’s electric flagship joins the electric supercar ranks, where efficiency meets performance.

Two Models, One Bold Vision

The 2025 e-tron GT family now includes two models: the S e-tron GT as an impressive entry point and the headline-grabbing RS e-tron GT Performance. Both models benefit from significant upgrades, including improved battery capacity, range, and faster charging.

  • S e-tron GT: With 670 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds, the S model brings thrilling performance to a broader audience. Its range now stretches to an impressive EPA-estimated 300 miles, making it as practical as it is powerful.
  • RS e-tron GT Performance: This model doesn’t just push boundaries—it obliterates them. Alongside its record-breaking acceleration, it features advanced thermal management, a new 105 kWh battery, and cutting-edge chassis technologies.

The new 105 kWh battery pack enables up to 300 miles of range on the S e-tron GT. No range figures are not available for the RS yet.

Audi has packed the 2025 e-tron GT models with a suite of performance-enhancing upgrades:

  • Push-to-Pass Boost: Unique to the RS Performance model, this feature delivers an extra 94 horsepower at speeds above 19 mph for ten seconds, transforming straightaways into launch pads.
  • Advanced Recuperation: Both models now recover up to 400 kW during braking, which is absolutely insane
  • Faster Charging: DC fast charging power has increased to 320 kW, enabling a 10-80% charge in just 18 minutes.

The four-ring brand has refined the e-tron GT’s already impressive handling with new active suspension technology, offering better cornering dynamics and enhanced ride comfort. The RS Performance mode, exclusive to the top model, optimizes torque distribution and suspension settings for maximum grip and precision on challenging roads or track conditions.

While staying true to its sleek grand tourer DNA, the 2025 e-tron GT lineup introduces new exterior colors, a reworked front fascia, and unique forged carbon design elements. The RS model, in particular, showcases Audi’s first use of forged carbon fiber for interior and exterior accents, delivering a high-tech, lightweight look.

Audi RS e-tron GT Pictures

Audi S e-tron GT Pictures

Inside, Audi debuts a glass roof with adjustable transparency, allowing drivers to customize the ambiance with a liquid crystal film that transitions from clear to frosted.

Pricing and Availability

Both models are now available for order through U.S. Audi dealerships:

  • S e-tron GT: Starting at $125,500
  • RS e-tron GT Performance: Starting at $167,000

Hopefully, we will get a chance to get behind the wheels of this new e-tron GT lineup soon because these look like significant improvements over the previous model years.

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Honda is now offering its ultra-low $229/mo Prologue EV lease deal in more US states

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November 21, 2024

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Honda is now offering its ultra-low 9/mo Prologue EV lease deal in more US states

Honda-Prologue-EV-deal

For a nearly $50,000 SUV, Honda’s Prologue is hard to pass up right now, with lease prices starting at just $229 per month. Honda is now offering its $229/mo Prologue EV lease deal in more US states. Here’s how you can take advantage of the savings.

Despite just kicking off deliveries in March, Honda’s electric SUV is already among the top-selling EVs in the US.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the Honda Prologue was the fifth best-selling EV in the US in the third quarter. With 12,644 models sold in Q3, Honda’s electric SUV outpaced rival SUVs, including the Hyundai IONIQ 5 (11,590), Chevy Equinox EV (9,772), Volkswagen ID.4 (4,518), and Toyota bZ4X (4,109).

Only the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, Cybertruck, and Ford Mustang Mach-E outsold the Prologue last quarter. However, with over 4,100 Prologue’s sold in October, Honda’s electric SUV topped the Mach-E (3,313).

Honda’s electric SUV is taking the US by storm, and now massive incentives are making it more affordable than ever.

The 2024 Honda Prologue went on sale last month in California, with leases starting as low as $229 for 36 months (10,000 miles per year). Now, Honda is expanding the offer to at least 17 states.

Honda-Prologue-EV-lease-deal
2024 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

Honda expands $229 per month Prologue EV lease deal

According to online auto data firm CarsDirect, Honda is now offering the Prologue EV lease deal in Colorado, Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.

Honda-Prologue-EV-interior
2024 Honda Prologue Elite interior (Source: Honda)

The $229 per month lease deal includes $1,000 bonus cash for current Honda lessees and those leasing from rival brands. With $1,299 due at signing, the effective cost is just $259 per month.

The lease offer is a steal for a nearly $50,000 electric SUV. The 2024 Honda Prologue EX FWD has a range of up to 296 miles, while AWD models have a range of up to 281 miles.

2024 Honda Prologue trim Starting Price
(w/o $1,395
destination fee)		 Starting price after
tax credit
(w/o $1,395
destination fee)		 Starting price after
tax credit
(with $1,395
destination fee)		 EPA Range
(miles)
EX (FWD) $47,400 $39,900 $41,295 296
EX (AWD) $50,400 $42,900 $44,295 281
Touring (FWD) $51.700 $44,200 $45,595 296
Touring (AWD) $54,700 $47,200 $48,595 281
Elite (AWD) $57,900 $50,400 $51,795 273
2024 Honda Prologue prices and range by trim

In other parts of the US, Honda’s Prologue is still listed at just $259 per month. With $1,299 due at signing, the monthly rate is $289, still under $300. However, you may want to act fast. The deals end on January 2, 2025.

Ready to check out Honda’s electric SUV for yourself? We can help you get started. You can use our link to find the best offers on the 2024 Honda Prologue at a dealer near you.

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Exclusive $2,299 savings on Anker SOLIX F3800 power station, full Jackery Black Friday sale, Husqvarna tools, GE smoker, more

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November 21, 2024

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Exclusive ,299 savings on Anker SOLIX F3800 power station, full Jackery Black Friday sale, Husqvarna tools, GE smoker, more

We’ve got a bunch of fresh Black Friday Green Deals for you today as many brands and outlets have all launched their full savings through Cyber Monday. We have exclusive new dual low prices on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station, as well as the bundle option, that gives you up to $2,299 in savings and starts from $2,099. Next, we have Jackery’s full Black Friday sale spread with up to $3,200 in savings, split across its direct site and Amazon, starting as low as $89. From there we have a large lineup of Husqvarna lawncare equipment that have had prices cut by up to $751, starting from $95, as well as GE’s Smart Indoor Smoker that is down at $599. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s full Black Friday savings on ALLPOWERS power stations and GE’s 2-in-1 electric washer/ventless dryer, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Exclusive deals on Anker SOLIX F3800 power station and bundle saves you up to $2,299 at new lows from $2,099

Wellbots is giving 9to5Toys readers two amazing exclusive discounts on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station and a subsequent bundle. The first of these deals is on the lone F3800 unit for $2,099 shipped, after using the promo code 9TO5ANKER300 at checkout for an additional $300 off. Normally going for $3,999 at full price, discounts coming direct from Anker have taken costs down as low as $2,999, with Wellbots having previously delivered the former lowest price of $2,499 back in June. Today though, this title-holding low has been swiftly knocked from its place as we’re getting an even bigger 48% markdown that slashes a full $1,900 off the going rate, landing it at a new all-time low that falls $400 under its former low.

Some people want a backup power solution tailored for a specific use, while others look for the best model that offers the most widespread versatility of uses – Anker’s SOLIX F3800 prominently positions itself in the latter of these two needs with a 3,840Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity that you can invest in over time to expand upwards to 26.9kWh with additional equipment like expansion batteries. It pumps out the juice your devices and appliances need at up to 6,000W with an array of 15+ output ports to cover connection types – with dedicated hook-ups for your RV, electric car, and even your home’s circuit breaker (but you will require either a Home Backup Kit for sectional support or the Home Power Panel for whole-home coverage on top of connection capabilities with your roof panels.

The second exclusive offer here is on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station that comes along with an expansion battery for $3,299 shipped, after using the promo code 500ANKER9TO5 at checkout for an additional $500 off. This deal beats out the former low price (also from Wellbots) that we saw in August by $100 for a new all-time low rate that ultimately saves you $2,299 off its full price tag. With this bundle, you’re getting the full versatility we discussed above while also getting a doubled 7,680Wh LiFePO4 capacity, giving you plenty of power to keep devices and appliances running for days.

Jackery's full black friday sale

Massive Jackery Black Friday sale now live with up to $3,200 in savings on power stations & solar generators from $89

Jackery’s Black Friday sale is officially in full swing, taking up to 50% off a wide array of its power stations, bundles, and accessories spread out between its direct site and through its official Amazon storefront. One of the many notable standouts this time around is the brand’s new Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station that has dropped to $799 shipped, after clipping the on-page $100 off coupon. Since releasing in September at $1,499, we’ve already seen frequent discounts on this unit, with the biggest of them having come through last month’s Prime Day savings event, which saw costs lowered to $999. Now with these Black Friday savings, you’re looking at an even greater $700 markdown that beats out its Prime Day pricing by $200 and drops things down to a new and surprising all-time low. You can also grab the station direct from Jackery with two 200W solar panels for $1,599, down from $2,499.

Built with exclusive CBT tech and a honeycomb design, which Jackery describes as contributing to “the smallest, lightest home backup power,” the new Explorer 2000 v2 model provides a well-rounded 2,042Wh LiFePO4 capacity with a 2,200W power output that peaks at 4,400W – giving you more than enough to cover campsites, travel routes, and even home backup needs for multiple days. It delivers power to your devices and appliances via the seven dedicated ports and is one of the three new models sporting the next-gen ChargeShield 2.0 for 62 forms of protection while charging – especially during storms, outages, and so on.

There are four ways to recharge the battery with this unit, with the quickest way being plugged into a wall outlet to regain 80% of the battery in about 66+ minutes, though if you need a full battery for last-minute plans and unexpected needs (say, an incoming storm), you can reach that with its supercharge features in 102+ minutes. There’s also the option to plug it directly into your car’s auxiliary port for a full battery in 24 hours, or you can utilize its maximum 400W of solar input to recharge the battery in 5.5 hours. One more thing to note here is its silent charging mode for when you’ve plugged it in for nighttime use or recharging, as it keeps under 30dB so you or anyone else trying to rest won’t be disturbed.

Direct Jackery Black Friday power station deals:

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husqvarna tool discounts

Amazon has taken up to $751 off a huge lineup of Husqvarna lawncare equipment from $95

Amazon is offering some early Black Friday savings on the Husqvarna Hedge Master 320iHD60 Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer for $249 shipped, as well as several other tools and equipment from the brand. You’re looking at a 22% markdown here off its usual $320 price tag, discounts over 2024 having been spaced out – the biggest of which came from October’s Prime Day event where it hit a $212 low. Today’s deal cuts a solid $71 off the going rate, giving you a great opportunity to score this higher-end tool among some of its lowest prices – just $37 above the all-time lowest we’ve seen.

Husqvarna’s Hedge Master 320iHD60 comes powered by a 40V battery that can be interchanged with the brand’s other handheld tools that you already have, with a high-torque brushless motor that provides “increased efficiency, increased reliability, reduced noise and longer product life.” It gives you a 24-inch reach that supports your own comfort with tri-handle grips for heavy-duty jobs and/or longer periods of use. Don’t worry about the blades jamming up here either, as its conveniently been given an un-jam button that opens the blades up for easy clearing.

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GE smart indoor smoker

Save $400 while enjoying smoky BBQ goodness with GE’s smart indoor smoker at $599

Over at Amazon we just spotted the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker for $599 shipped, after clipping the on-page $98.99 off coupon. Normally fetching $999 at full price since releasing at the start of 2024, most of the discounts we’ve seen have cut the price down between $719 and $799, after the very first discount lowered costs to $699. We did see a short-lived fall to the $550 low back during July’s Prime Day event, but it’s kept above $700 in the time since (even being skipped over during October’s Prime Day sales) – until today. Now, you can score this “first-of-its-kind” kitchen upgrade with a $400 markdown, which puts it down at the second-lowest price we have tracked – just $49 above the all-time low from July.

Ideal for BBQ lovers everywhere, especially those who may not have the yard space for a larger or “more proper” smoking setup, GE has provided an innovative kitchen countertop alternative here that you don’t have to worry about setting off smoke detectors. This is due to the Active Smoke Filtration system that turns wood smoke into warm air that gets channeled through the unit and into your favorite meats or veggies. There are two separate heat sources contained within, one for burning pellets and the other for cooking your food – and it comes with six preset options for brisket, pork ribs, pork butt, chicken wings, chicken breast, and salmon, as well as a warming function to keep things from going too cold too early, as well as other customizable settings.

Speaking just on its smoking capabilities, it has five adjustable controls ranging from infusing mild hints of flavor all the way to full-on rich and robust smoky satisfaction that can be tasted through your sense of smell alone. With the SmartHQ app, you’ll have total remote smart controls so you can manage loner-timed cooking periods, even when you’re away from home, with it even allowing for hands-free voice controls via Alexa or Google Assistant.

Best Black Friday e-bike deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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