NYSERDA Offers Incentives for Going Green

Building owners in New York

may be eligible to receive financial incentives for the New York State Energy Research and Development Administration (NYSERDA) from the innovative program, the New York Green Residential Building Program (GRBP.) If the owner can prove that the building meets the requirements of the program then they might be eligible to receive from $5,125 for a single-family home to as much as $13,375 for an apartment building with at least 11 units.

The basis for the award

is the number of apartments in the building, but the incentive is limited to the maximum of $3.75 for each square foot of occupied space. The incentives will be distributed on a “first come, first served basis, until funding is exhausted or until the deadline of October 31, 2013. No single building owner can receive more than $120,000 in any single year.

Aside from ownership and occupancy requirements the buildings also must meet a certain level of energy efficiency to be eligible for the GRBP award.

Those requirements include:

•    Under the National Green Building Standard,  the LEED for Homes or LEED for New Construction rating system the building must certified to the Silver level, at least.
•    Each apartment must achieve an annual energy savings of at least 500kWh through the use of a combination of energy efficient lighting and appliances.
•    All the appliances with combustion capabilities have been tested of safety.
•    Additional energy saving requirements which can be seen in the Program Guidelines.

NYSERDA Funding Renewable Energy Projects in New York

Wind Energy in New YorkThe Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) of New York will support the distribution of $250 million through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Public Service Commission for the development of a large variety of renewable energy generation projects in New York State.

The monies will be awarded through a competitive process to determine which ideas are most promising in the generation of electricity through alternative sources of energy such as wind power, hydroelectric, biomass and other innovative, clean sources. The projects will be informed if they are chosen to receive the awards by this coming April.

The NYSERDA has in the past awarded funding to 39 large-scale renewable energy generators. These generators are predicted to produce 4.3 million megawatt-hours of renewable and clean energy every year. Included among those 39 are 14 wind farms, 21 hydroelectric upgrades, three biomass facilities, and one landfill bio-gas plant.

New York State’s RPS program has had great success pulling in investments in clean energy and help New York to diversify the in-state power resources. For instance, today wind power electricity generation is 25 times greater than what there was before the RPS program got underway. In 2010, due to the success of the RPS program, New York was ranked number one in the Northeast and eighth in the country for installed wind capacity.

“This renewable energy program has been a key element for obtaining a more diversified energy portfolio for New York State, as well as helping to create much-needed clean energy jobs,” said Garry Brown, Public Service Commission Chairman.

The competitive solicitation was released by the NYSERDA in January, and has already listed on its web site the schedule for future solicitations. The expectation is that the RPS will be funding renewable energy projects for at least the next several years.

Statement From Entergy About New York Nuclear Power

Entergy Nuclear runs several nuclear power plants around the country and in New York State. In light of the tragic and frightening events taking place in Japan as a result of the earthquake that hit the enormous there on Friday March 11, Entergy released a statement which expressed sympathy with the people of Japan and the fact that Entergy is monitoring the events in Japan as they unfold in close coordination with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Nuclear Energy Institute, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and industry peers. Through the auspices of NEI, Entergy has been able to offer whatever support and assistance which could be of help to the nuclear energy industry of Japan.

Entergy’s statement went on the reassure the public in the US that,

“Entergy’s nuclear plants were designed and built to withstand the effects of natural disasters, including earthquakes and catastrophic flooding. The NRC requires that safety-significant structures, systems and components be designed to take into account the most severe natural phenomena historically reported for each site and surrounding area. In determining the appropriate standards, the NRC includes an added safety margin to ensure that the standards take into account the risk that a future event, such as an earthquake or flooding, could be more severe than any recorded historical event. Systems are designed with multiple contingent backup systems to provide greater safety margins.”

Entergy also has in place several programs to further guarantee the safety of their power plants:
•    Continuous risk analysis and improved design which are constantly addressing man-made and natural risk factors.
•    Intensive operator training which prepares workers for unusual and extreme circumstances, including practice runs and exercises with evaluations by the NRC.
•    The design and implementation of plans to respond to emergencies which will first and foremost protect the public’s health and safety. There are regular drills conducted in full cooperation with cooperation with federal, state and local organizations.

Saratoga Hosts Green Energy Education Conference

Saratoga, New York played host this week to the fourth national conference entitled “Clean Energy Workforce: Education Conference.” The stated goal of the conference is to discuss creative and effective ways to educate workers in the renewable and energy efficiency workforce. This conference is the only national even which brings together innovative teachers who specialize in training today’s green workforce.

The conference presented the most up-to-date information and instructional methods, development of curricula, credentialing, and best practices for training those who are involved in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The conference, which took place from March 8 to 10, encompassed the latest methods of teaching which are now being presented at a large variety of educational facilities including community colleges, skill centers, technical high schools, and industry training centers all over the country.

The pre-conference event offered one day of technical workshops, while the two day conference itself was filled with information for all those who or in the planning stages or are already offering training programs offering degrees, certification, continuing education or public education, for the renewable and efficient energy markets.

The conference itself was organized by IREC (Interstate Renewable Energy Council) and primarily sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA.)

Solar Energy Organization Helps Brighten New York

NYSEIA Unique in New York

There is only one trade association in New York State which is dedicated to supporting and advancing the solar energy industry, and that is the NYSEIA- New York Solar Energy Industries Association.  Created and launched in 1994, since then membership has grown to include the following companies and organizations:

•    Manufacturers, component suppliers and distributors of Photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies.
•    Companies that install PV and solar water space heating
•    Lawyers, engineers and architects which support and serve the solar energy industry
•    Energy companies and utilities
•    Representatives of government and non-profit agencies which are involved in solar energy training, research and education
•    Organizations who are dedicated to furthering the market for solar energy in New York

What is NYSEIA All About?

The mandate of NYSEIA is to first and foremost educate all that determine public policy on energy issues in New York, including:

•    The public
•    Law makers
•    Policy makers

•    Regulators

These groups can help determine the dire

ction in which important issues, such as environment, economic development and energy supply will be impacted and which will impact the use of solar energy.

Heating Water With Solar Energy

Government Loan Guarantee Paves Way for New York Energy Project

Last December the Secretary of Energy Steven Chu awarded a $17.1 million loan guarantee to the AES Westover utility facility in New York State. The government guarantee will allow the building of a 20 megawatt storage system which will use the latest technology of advanced lithium-ion batteries. The project will be constructed in Johnson City and will help to insure a more stable and well-running electrical grid for the high-voltage transmission network of New York.

Secretary Chu said at the time that, “The AES project helps reduce carbon emissions and strengthens our energy infrastructure by allowing for more renewable energy sources like solar and wind to contribute to the electrical grid,” said Secretary Chu. “Bringing more efficiency and reliability to the grid will help cut costs for consumers and power a cleaner energy future.”

Also coming out in praise of the government decision was U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

“This is great news for all of New York State. This project advances cutting-edge, battery technologies that will help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, improves the efficiency of our energy grid, and spurs job growth in the clean energy economy.”

Charles Shummer, U.S. Senator added his thoughts.

“New York should be a hub of green manufacturing and a magnet for the thousands of high tech, good paying jobs that it will bring. AES’s new facility will, plain and simple, move New York towards that goal.”

“I am thrilled that AES Energy Storage has secured this critical financing from the Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee program to support the construction of a new facility in Johnson City,” U.S. Representative Maurice D. Hinchey said. “AES is working on cutting edge, clean energy technology that will reduce carbon emissions, create jobs, and eventually reduce energy costs for families and businesses. I congratulate the AES team on securing this award and look forward to working with, and supporting, them as they grow their business.”

Ex-Pennsylvania Governor Rendell to Join NYC-Based ThinkEco

The former Governor of Pennsylvania, Edward G. Rendell, will be joining the New York City-based technology innovation firm ThinkEco, Inc., according to an announcement.

Mr. Rendell was the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania until last month when his term expired. He will be joining ThinkEco as an advisory board member, and will chiefly be involved in enlarging the company’s activities in the public-private partnerships sphere as well as increasing investment in energy conservation dealings.

Governor Rendell had the following to say about his new role: "As Governor, one of my most significant achievements was the passage of Act 129 that among many things, created an aggressive mandate for conservation – one of the strongest in the country. I don't believe the increasing demand for energy in this world can be met just by increased production. Therefore, conservation is the key to the future. That's why I am so excited to actively support ThinkEco's mission to eliminate energy waste."

ThinkEco is a company that develops ease-of-use technologies designed to save and use energy more efficiently, for both homes and in the workplace.

ConEdison Solutions Providing Energy to Upstate New York Since 2003

As of November 1st 2003 ConEdison Solutions began to provide electric power to both business and commercial consumers in the upstate New York region. ConEdison Solutions is one of the leading suppliers of energy in the country and their goal was to utilize the deregulated supplies of energy which ConEdison Solutions is able to make available, thus lowering the volatility of company’s energy budgets, even hopefully reducing energy costs overall.

JoAnn F. Ryan, who was president of ConEdison solutions at the time, as well as CEO, stated the objectives thusly: “By exercising greater control over their energy budgets, businesses become more successful and more profitable. It is our goal to provide the upstate New York economy with an additional competitive energy choice.”

New York Energy Forum Educating Public on Urgent Energy Issues

Anyone interested in the issue of energy in New York should be aware of an educational body which is dedicated to helping the public understand the important regional, national and global issues involving energy today. The New York Energy Forum, Inc. is an organization which is under the auspices of the non-profit corporation Law of the State of New York.  This forum educates the public through the sponsorship of seminars, conferences, publications and meetings with the goal of creating an atmosphere of discussion, debate and problem solving where new ideas, policy positions and information can be exchanged.

Ice Energy Coming to New York

Ice Energy will be coming to New York after forging a partnership with contract-manufacturer Mercury Corporation.  Mercury Corp is based in Hammondsport, and together with Ice Energy will create a manufacturing plant in New York State. Ice Energy produces a storage device for energy which they call ‘Ice Bear.’ The Ice Bear is placed on the roof of buildings and creates ice during the night which is then used to produce air-conditioning during the day.

Ice Bear is generally bought and installed by utilities to help them meet the energy needs of their customers during peak hours of energy use, such as hot summer days.