WEC
The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) is an annual international motorsport series for endurance racing, featuring prototype and grand tourer automobiles competing in multi-class events lasting from four to twenty-four hours.[1] Established in 2012 through collaboration between the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), the championship emphasizes reliability, strategy, and technological innovation among manufacturer teams, with races held across continents including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.[1][2] Key defining characteristics include its multi-class format, currently comprising the top-tier Le Mans Hypercar (LMH/LMDh) category for hybrid prototypes from brands like Toyota, Porsche, Ferrari, and Cadillac; the LMP2 class for spec-based prototypes dominated by customer teams; and the LMGT3 class for production-derived grand tourers from manufacturers such as Mercedes-AMG, McLaren, and Lexus, all racing simultaneously on track with separate class standings alongside an overall winner determined by distance covered.[2][1] The series' pinnacle event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans held annually in France, attracts over 300,000 spectators and serves as a proving ground for automotive advancements in efficiency, aerodynamics, and sustainable fuels, with recent regulations mandating increased biofuel usage toward net-zero carbon goals by 2030.[1] Notable achievements encompass Toyota's dominance with eight consecutive manufacturers' titles from 2014 to 2021, followed by intense competition yielding wins for Ferrari in 2023 and Porsche in 2024, alongside technological milestones like the introduction of hybrid powertrains in 2021 that enhanced energy recovery systems.[2] Controversies have included debates over class balancing to prevent prototype dominance over GT cars, manufacturer withdrawal threats amid cost pressures—such as Audi's 2016 exit and Peugeot's delayed 2022 entry—and regulatory disputes over Balance of Performance adjustments that influence competitiveness, though these have driven iterative rule refinements for closer racing.[1] The WEC's global footprint and focus on endurance over outright speed distinguish it from sprint-based series like Formula 1, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where pit strategy, driver rotations, and vehicle durability often decide outcomes.[2]Organizations
Westinghouse Electric Company
The Westinghouse Electric Company was founded on January 8, 1886, by inventor and engineer George Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, initially to manufacture electrical distribution equipment utilizing alternating current (AC) technology as an alternative to direct current (DC) systems promoted by Thomas Edison.[3] George Westinghouse, born October 6, 1846, had previously invented the railway air brake in 1869 and amassed over 360 patents, including advancements in railroad signaling through the Union Switch and Signal Company established in 1881.[3] The company's early focus on AC stemmed from Westinghouse's acquisition of Nikola Tesla's polyphase AC patents in 1888, enabling efficient long-distance power transmission.[4] Westinghouse's AC innovations proved pivotal during the "War of Currents," culminating in demonstrations at the 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition, where AC-powered electric lights illuminated the event, and the 1895-1896 Niagara Falls hydroelectric project, the first large-scale AC power plant supplying electricity over 20 miles to Buffalo, New York.[3] These milestones established AC as the standard for electrical grids, with Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company (renamed in 1889) expanding into generators, transformers, and turbines, employing 50,000 workers and achieving a net worth of $120 million by the mid-1890s.[5] The firm's engineering contributions facilitated widespread electrification, including street lighting and industrial motors, positioning it as a leader in power generation infrastructure through the early 20th century.[6] In the mid-20th century, Westinghouse pivoted to nuclear energy, developing pressurized water reactor (PWR) technology and supplying the world's first commercial PWR at the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania, which began operation on December 2, 1957, with a capacity of 60 megawatts electrical (MWe).[3] This design formed the basis for approximately 50% of the world's roughly 430 operating nuclear reactors, totaling over 370,000 MWe in net capacity, and the company maintains the largest installed base of operational nuclear plants globally.[3] Westinghouse's AP1000 reactor, a Generation III+ PWR, received U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission design certification in 2011 and has been deployed in projects such as Vogtle Units 3 and 4 in Georgia, with Unit 3 achieving commercial operation on July 31, 2023.[7] The original Westinghouse Electric Corporation diversified into consumer appliances, broadcasting, and other sectors before facing financial difficulties, leading to bankruptcy filings in the 1970s and 1990s; its nuclear division was restructured as the modern Westinghouse Electric Company LLC in 1999.[8] Following a 2017 bankruptcy, the company was acquired by Brookfield Business Partners in 2018 and subsequently purchased in 2022 by a consortium comprising Brookfield Renewable Partners (51% ownership) and Cameco Corporation (49% ownership) for $7.87 billion, enabling continued focus on nuclear fuel, services, and new reactor deployments amid growing demand for carbon-free energy.[9][10] As of 2025, Westinghouse operates from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, employing thousands in nuclear technology supply and supporting over half the global nuclear fleet's operations and maintenance.[7]World Energy Council
The World Energy Council (WEC) is a global non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing energy policy and practice through impartial analysis and international collaboration. Founded in 1923 by Scottish engineer and organizer Daniel Dunlop, it originated as the World Power Conference, with its inaugural meeting held in London in July 1924, convening delegates from 40 countries to examine technical and economic challenges in power generation and distribution.[11] The organization rebranded to World Energy Council in 1968 to reflect a broader scope encompassing all energy sources, and it has since maintained a neutral stance, avoiding advocacy for specific technologies or fuels while emphasizing empirical assessment of energy systems' reliability, affordability, and environmental impacts.[12] Accredited by the United Nations as a non-governmental advisor, the WEC operates without commercial or political alignment, drawing on data-driven insights to counter ideologically driven narratives in energy discourse.[12] The WEC's structure centers on national member committees, which represent over 3,000 organizations—including utilities, governments, research institutions, and industry bodies—across more than 100 countries as of 2024.[12] These committees facilitate local energy dialogue and contribute to global initiatives, ensuring diverse perspectives from both developed and developing economies. Leadership includes a chairman elected every three years and a secretariat based in London, with governance emphasizing consensus-building over top-down directives.[13] Financially, the organization relies on membership dues and event revenues, as detailed in its audited annual reports from 2007 onward, which disclose transparent operations without reliance on governmental subsidies that could compromise independence.[14] Key activities include hosting the triennial World Energy Congress, the premier global forum for energy leaders, which has convened 27 times since 1924 and addresses topics such as energy transitions grounded in feasibility rather than aspirational targets.[15] The WEC also conducts scenario planning to model future energy pathways based on historical data and economic constraints, avoiding unsubstantiated optimism about rapid decarbonization without corresponding infrastructure scalability.[16] Its influence extends to policy advisory, where it critiques overly prescriptive regulations by highlighting trade-offs, such as the tension between energy security and intermittent renewables, informed by member expertise rather than academic consensus prone to environmental advocacy biases.[17] Prominent publications include the annual World Energy Trilemma Index, which evaluates 125 countries on a balanced scorecard of energy security (e.g., diversification and import dependence), equity (access and affordability metrics), and environmental sustainability (emissions intensity adjusted for economic output), with Norway topping the 2023 rankings for its hydro-nuclear mix and the United States ranking high due to shale gas enabling lower coal reliance.[16] Other outputs encompass the World Energy Issues Monitor, surveying global leaders on perceived risks like supply disruptions over hype around unproven technologies, and Energy Scenarios reports projecting outcomes under variables such as technological breakthroughs or geopolitical shifts, consistently underscoring the primacy of dispatchable power for grid stability.[16] These works prioritize verifiable metrics—drawing from sources like the International Energy Agency's data—over narrative-driven projections, providing a counterweight to sources influenced by institutional pressures favoring subsidized renewables irrespective of cost escalations or reliability gaps.[18]WEC Energy Group
WEC Energy Group, Inc. is a Fortune 500 public utility holding company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, specializing in electric generation, transmission, distribution, and natural gas delivery.[19] It operates as one of the largest such entities in the United States, serving 4.7 million customers across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota through an extensive infrastructure comprising 72,400 miles of electric distribution lines, 47,000 miles of natural gas distribution and transmission lines, and approximately 8,150 megawatts of electric generating capacity.[19] The company's primary subsidiaries include We Energies, which provides service to over 2.3 million customers primarily in southeastern Wisconsin; Wisconsin Public Service, serving about 817,000 customers in northeastern and central Wisconsin and portions of Michigan's Upper Peninsula; Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, delivering natural gas to roughly 894,000 customers in Chicago and northern Illinois; and others such as Minnesota Energy Resources, Michigan Gas Utilities, and Upper Michigan Energy Resources.[19] Additional non-utility subsidiaries like W.E. Power, LLC, focus on developing and leasing efficient power plants, while WEC Infrastructure, LLC, manages investments in energy-related projects.[19] Formed on June 29, 2015, through Wisconsin Energy Corporation's acquisition of Integrys Energy Group for $9.5 billion in a stock-and-cash transaction, WEC Energy Group consolidated operations from predecessor companies with roots tracing to 1896, when the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company began providing electric, steam, and rail services.[20] Key prior milestones include the 1938 renaming to Wisconsin Electric Power Company, the 2002 merger forming We Energies from Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas, and expansions via acquisitions like WICOR in 2000.[20] In its electric generation portfolio, WEC Energy Group maintains a mix emphasizing reliability, with ongoing investments in modern natural gas facilities and renewables alongside legacy coal assets, targeting the elimination of coal use and achievement of net carbon-neutral generation by 2050.[21][22] This approach balances load growth demands—driven by data centers, manufacturing electrification, and residential needs—with grid stability, as natural gas provides dispatchable capacity to complement intermittent renewables.[23]World Environment Center
The World Environment Center (WEC) is an independent, global non-profit organization established in 1974 with initial grant support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).[24][25] Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it operates offices in Europe and Latin America, including locations in Munich and San Salvador, to facilitate international collaboration.[26][27] WEC maintains a non-advocacy stance, emphasizing practical business applications over policy advocacy, and supports multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through targeted initiatives.[28][29] WEC's core mission centers on advancing sustainable development by enabling member companies—primarily multinational corporations—to integrate effective environmental and sustainability practices into their operations.[30] This is achieved through partnerships with governments, non-governmental organizations, universities, and other stakeholders to address challenges such as resource efficiency, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.[29] In 1977, WEC launched its International Environmental Forum, an early initiative that convened 13 corporations to share non-competitive strategies for environmental management, setting a model for subsequent peer-to-peer exchanges.[31] Key activities include hosting executive roundtables and over 200 thought leadership events since 1997 across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, focusing on topics like corporate sustainability strategies and capacity building for small enterprises in emerging markets.[26] WEC also administers the annual Gold Medal Award for International Corporate Environmental Achievement, recognizing firms for verifiable progress in sustainable practices; recipients have included CEMEX in 2002 and Jacobs in 2023 for advancements in engineering and resource management.[24][32] These efforts prioritize empirical outcomes, such as measurable reductions in environmental impacts, over declarative commitments. In January 2024, WEC announced plans to combine with the Wildlife Habitat Council to form Tandem Global, a new entity aimed at strengthening business-led solutions for sustainability and habitat conservation while preserving WEC's foundational non-advocacy approach.[33] This development reflects ongoing adaptations to enhance scalability in addressing global environmental challenges through corporate engagement.[34]Sports
FIA World Endurance Championship
The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) is the premier global series for endurance sports car racing, sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). Launched in 2012, it succeeded the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and features multi-hour races emphasizing vehicle durability, fuel efficiency, and driver stamina, with durations ranging from six to 24 hours. The series culminates annually at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a cornerstone event that draws international manufacturers competing in prototype and GT categories to advance hybrid powertrain and aerodynamic technologies under cost-controlled regulations.[1][35] Races operate on a points-based system awarding positions to teams, drivers, and manufacturers across classes, with championships determined by cumulative performance over the season. The top Hypercar class pits Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) prototypes from brands including Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche, Peugeot, and Cadillac, designed for balanced competition via a performance convergence formula that equalizes hybrid systems and power outputs around 670-700 horsepower. Supporting the elite prototypes, the LMGT3 class fields production-derived GT3-specification cars from constructors like Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, and Lexus, modified for endurance with mandatory driver lineups blending professionals and amateurs to promote accessibility.[36][37] The 2025 calendar comprises eight rounds spanning four continents and eight countries, starting with the Qatar 1812 km on March 28-30 and concluding at the Bahrain International Circuit on November 8, including staples like the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (May 10), 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 14-15), and 6 Hours of Fuji (September 27-28). This structure supports global manufacturer engagement, with Hypercar technical rules frozen through 2032 to stabilize investments amid rising development costs and ensure parity between regulation sets. Season grids feature up to 20 Hypercars and around 20 LMGT3 entries, reflecting grid limits introduced to manage logistics and safety at venues like Circuit of the Americas and Imola.[38][39][37] Since inception, the WEC has hosted over 100 races, with Toyota securing multiple manufacturers' titles through consistent Le Mans victories, while Audi and Porsche dominated early prototype eras before regulatory shifts to hybrid Le Mans Day prototypes in 2021 spurred broader participation. The series prioritizes empirical testing of sustainable fuels and energy recovery systems, aligning with FIA's broader motorsport efficiency mandates, though challenges like class convergence and privateer entries persist to maintain competitive depth without diluting prototype innovation.[40]World Enduro Championship
The World Enduro Championship, sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and currently branded as the FIM EnduroGP World Championship, is the highest level of international enduro motorcycle racing, emphasizing rider endurance, navigation, and technical skill across rugged terrains.[41] Established in 1990, it evolved from earlier European events like the Individual European Two Days Championship dating back to 1968, expanding to a global series with multi-day races held in diverse locations such as Europe, Africa, and South America.[42] The championship typically features 6 to 8 rounds per season, with the 2025 calendar including seven events from April to October across venues in Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Germany.[41] Events follow a standardized three-day format, beginning with a Super Test prologue on Friday for seeding and qualification, followed by two full days of competition on Saturday and Sunday.[43] Riders complete a series of timed special tests—extreme, enduro, and classic sections—interspersed with untimed liaison transfers, using time cards to adhere to strict schedules and avoid penalties for lateness or earliness.[43] Motorcycles must comply with FIM technical regulations, including homologated production models modified for off-road use, with restrictions on engine displacement and components like tires and silencers to ensure fairness.[44] Competition is divided into engine-displacement-based classes: Enduro 1 (E1) for up to 125cc two-stroke or 250cc four-stroke machines, Enduro 2 (E2) for up to 250cc two-stroke or 450cc four-stroke, and Enduro 3 (E3) for up to 300cc two-stroke or 500cc four-stroke engines, accommodating both novice and expert riders within each.[45] Separate championships exist for women, juniors (under 23), and youth (under 20), with points scored per class on a descending scale—20 for first place, 17 for second, down to 1 for 20th—aggregated across rounds to determine annual titles.[41] Manufacturers also vie for team honors based on their riders' performances in E1, E2, and E3.[45] Notable champions include Josep Garcia (Spain), who secured the 2025 E1 title after consistent wins, including at the Italian Grand Prix on September 28, 2025, despite injury challenges.[46] In E2, riders like Zachary Pichon (France, TM) led mid-season standings with 118 points after seven rounds.[41] The series has produced enduring talents such as five-time winners in various classes, with brands like KTM, Husqvarna, and Sherco dominating factory teams through superior preparation and rider support.[47] Participation requires FIM licenses, emphasizing safety via medical checks and equipment standards, with events drawing thousands of spectators for their raw, unfiltered test of man and machine.[48]World Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) was a mixed martial arts promotion founded in 2001 by Scott Adams and Reed Harris, with early events held primarily in Lemoore, California, and broadcast on pay-per-view.[49][50] The organization initially featured fighters across multiple weight classes, including heavyweights, and emphasized regional talent in a competitive landscape dominated by larger promotions.[49] By focusing on cage-based bouts under unified rules similar to those later standardized in MMA, WEC contributed to the sport's growth in the early 2000s, hosting 24 events before external changes reshaped its direction.[51] In December 2006, Zuffa, LLC—the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)—acquired WEC for an undisclosed sum, retaining Adams as a consultant while streamlining operations.[49][51] Post-acquisition, WEC eliminated heavier divisions to specialize in lighter weight classes (bantamweight at 135 lb, featherweight at 145 lb, and lightweight at 155 lb), adopting a smaller 25-foot-diameter octagonal cage to better accommodate the speed and dynamics of smaller athletes compared to the UFC's 30-foot standard.[50][49] The first Zuffa-owned event, WEC 25: McCullough vs. Cope, occurred on January 20, 2007, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, marking a shift toward national visibility with live broadcasts on Versus starting June 3, 2007.[52][50] This era produced high-profile rivalries and technical bouts, elevating the promotion's profile through 29 additional events. WEC's lighter-weight focus fostered stars such as Urijah Faber, who headlined multiple title defenses and built the promotion's early popularity; Dominick Cruz, a dominant bantamweight champion known for unorthodox footwork; José Aldo, the featherweight titleholder who unified the division with striking prowess; and Anthony Pettis, who captured the final lightweight crown at WEC 53 via a memorable kick against Benson Henderson.[53] Other notables included Miguel Torres, Donald Cerrone, and Nick Diaz, whose performances highlighted grappling and knockout artistry suited to the compact cage.[53] On October 28, 2010, UFC president Dana White announced the merger of WEC into UFC effective January 2011, with WEC 53 on December 16, 2010, serving as the finale at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona.[49] The integration brought WEC's divisions directly into UFC, expanding opportunities for flyweight and below-155 lb fighters and influencing modern MMA's emphasis on lighter classes, though some critics noted the loss of WEC's distinct identity.[49][54]Science and Technology
Wave Energy Converter
A wave energy converter (WEC) is a device designed to extract kinetic and potential energy from ocean surface waves and convert it into electrical power. Ocean waves, primarily generated by wind interacting with the sea surface over extended fetches, carry substantial energy potential, with global theoretical wave power estimated at around 2-3 terawatts.[55][56] WECs typically operate by harnessing oscillatory motion—such as heaving, pitching, or surging—through mechanical components linked to generators, with power take-off systems including hydraulic, mechanical, or direct-drive mechanisms to produce usable electricity.[57][58] WECs are classified into several principal types based on their interaction with waves. Oscillating water columns (OWCs) use wave-induced water level fluctuations in a chamber to drive air through a turbine, often bidirectional Wells turbines for continuous operation. Point absorbers feature a buoyant structure that moves relative to a fixed or moored reference, capturing energy omnidirectionally via linear generators or hydraulics. Attenuators, such as elongated floating devices, flex with wave direction to generate power along their length, while terminators are fixed structures perpendicular to waves that absorb energy through oscillation. Overtopping devices store water elevated by waves in a reservoir, releasing it through low-head turbines similar to hydroelectric systems.[59][60] Each type suits specific wave climates, with OWCs effective in nearshore shallow waters and point absorbers in deeper offshore sites.[55] The concept of wave energy harnessing dates to the late 18th century, with early proposals like a 1799 nodding duck mechanism by Nicolas Girard, but practical development accelerated during the 1970s energy crises amid oil price shocks. Japan's Yoshio Masuda patented oscillating buoy systems in the 1940s, influencing post-1973 research, while Scotland's Islay LIMPET OWC became the world's first grid-connected WEC in 2000, demonstrating 500 kW capacity. Over 100 prototypes have been tested since, though commercial scalability remains limited by engineering hurdles.[61][62] Efficiency in WECs varies by design and conditions, with theoretical maximums approaching 50% under ideal linear wave assumptions, but real-world capture widths often yield 10-30% hydrodynamic efficiency, compounded by power take-off losses to overall 15-25% water-to-wire. For instance, a 2015 NOAA-tested buoy achieved 14.6% efficiency at 12.5 W output under moderate waves, while advanced models like NREL's flexible WECs aim for higher yields through adaptive geometries. Power outputs range from kilowatts in prototypes to megawatts in array concepts, with projects like Hawaii's Wave Bob simulating 100 kW units for island grids.[63][64][65] Challenges persist in durability against extreme storms, biofouling, and mooring reliability, often inflating levelized costs of energy to $0.20-0.50/kWh versus $0.05 for mature renewables. Recent advancements include variable-geometry controls for peak load management and array optimization for amplified output, as pursued by NREL in 2025. The market, valued at $19.5 million in 2024, projects 6.5% CAGR through 2034, driven by pilots like Eco Wave Power's global deployments and China's state-backed prototypes achieving enhanced performance via improved controls. NREL's HERO WEC, tested in multiple 2025 deployments, validated desalination integration alongside power generation.[66][67][68] Despite progress, WECs contribute negligibly to global capacity—under 10 MW installed cumulatively—due to these barriers, underscoring needs for materials resilient to corrosion and standardized testing protocols.[69][70]Education
World Education Conference
The World Education Conferences were a series of international gatherings convened by the World Federation of Education Associations (WFEA) between 1925 and 1937 to facilitate dialogue among educators worldwide on pedagogical advancements, curriculum development, and the role of education in promoting global peace and mutual understanding.[71] These conferences emphasized progressive educational reforms, including child-centered learning and internationalist curricula, amid the interwar period's emphasis on averting conflict through cultural exchange.[71] The WFEA, which organized the conferences, was founded on July 21, 1923, during a meeting in San Francisco, California, sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA) of the United States, with Augustus O. Thomas, Maine's Commissioner of Education, elected as its first president.[71] The federation's charter aimed to unite national education associations from diverse countries to address common challenges, such as teacher training and literacy, while avoiding partisan politics; it established 20 specialized departments covering topics from illiteracy eradication to peace education.[71] A notable early initiative was the 1925 Herman-Jordan Peace Plan, proposed at the inaugural conference, which advocated integrating peace studies into school programs to cultivate global citizenship.[71] The conferences proceeded biennially until geopolitical tensions intervened:- 1925, Edinburgh, Scotland: Focused on post-World War I reconstruction in education and hosted discussions on international curricula.[71]
- 1927, Toronto, Canada: Addressed vocational training and the integration of immigrants into educational systems.[71]
- 1929, Geneva, Switzerland: Emphasized scientific approaches to pedagogy and cooperation with emerging international bodies like the League of Nations.[71]
- 1931, Denver, United States: Highlighted rural education and adult literacy campaigns.[71]
- 1933, Dublin, Ireland: Explored religious influences on schooling amid economic depression.[71]
- 1935, Oxford, United Kingdom: Discussed broadcasting's potential in education and hosted delegations from over 40 countries.[71]
- 1937, Tokyo, Japan (seventh and final): Attracted 1,000 delegates despite rising militarism; sessions covered comparative education systems but faced criticism for overlooking authoritarian regimes' educational manipulations.[72][71]