New Paltz launches NY Prize Community Microgrid Project
Microgrid Institute leads public-private partnership to assess community microgrid
:: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ::
Aug. 3, 2015
Albany, N.Y.: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) selected a public-private partnership led by Burr Energy LLC (dba Microgrid Institute) to assess the feasibility of developing a community microgrid in New Paltz.
The project team includes the Town and Village of New Paltz, State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz, the New Paltz Central School District, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Central Hudson Gas & Electric. Microgrid Institute leads the study as prime contractor and principal investigator, with technical partners Green Energy Corp., Hitachi Consulting, and TeMIX Inc.
During a kickoff meeting on July 15 at the office of SUNY President Don Christian, the team began an approximately six-month project to examine options for microgrids that would supply resilient electricity for vital community assets and systems. NYSERDA agreed to provide $100,000 for the NY Prize Stage I project. In all, NYSERDA selected 83 community projects to receive feasibility assessment grants in the NY Prize Community Grid competition.
“On behalf of the community of New Paltz, we would like to thank Governor Cuomo for creating this amazing opportunity to assess the possibility of creating a New Paltz microgrid,” stated Susan Zimet, New Paltz Town Supervisor. “In the aftermath of a large-scale storm such as Hurricane Sandy and Irene, the microgrid will allow key services of the Town and Village to continue operating – and will provide community members with warm places to go, recharge their phones and laptops, and get the food and services they need.”
Village of New Paltz Mayor Tim Rogers added, “I’m honored and excited to be part of our collaborative effort to pursue such an important New York State initiative focused on improving our community’s resiliency.”
The project will assess the potential for deploying localized electricity generation and storage systems, as well as efficiency, conservation, and smart load control technologies, to provide clean, resilient power for numerous vital community assets, including public shelters, emergency response and healthcare facilities, municipal water and wastewater systems, and commercial food stores, pharmacies, and gas stations.
Central Hudson Gas & Electric stated, “Central Hudson is pleased to support this microgrid project, which is an example of a public-private partnership that aims to benefit residents and businesses. Central Hudson has proposed a microgrid program offering of its own and is participating in New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision proceedings, which aims to improve the efficiency of the electric system, promote clean generation and energy efficiency measures, and provide customers with knowledge and tools for effective management of their total energy use through the adoption of new technologies. This project is an example of the type of technology we’re testing as we look toward transforming the energy grid.”
Michael Burr, Director, Microgrid Institute, concluded, “By tapping into local renewable sources and using electricity more wisely, microgrids can help the community to become more resilient and self-reliant – while increasing energy efficiency and reducing pollution. Additionally, an advanced microgrid can create a platform for continued innovation and clean energy development, to support the community’s continued economic growth and vitality.”
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CONTACT:
Peter Douglass, Microgrid Institute
www.microgridinstitute.org
+1.320.493.1923 / pdouglass@microgridinstitute.org
Albany, N.Y.: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) selected a public-private partnership led by Burr Energy LLC (dba Microgrid Institute) to assess the feasibility of developing a community microgrid in New Paltz.
The project team includes the Town and Village of New Paltz, State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz, the New Paltz Central School District, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Central Hudson Gas & Electric. Microgrid Institute leads the study as prime contractor and principal investigator, with technical partners Green Energy Corp., Hitachi Consulting, and TeMIX Inc.
During a kickoff meeting on July 15 at the office of SUNY President Don Christian, the team began an approximately six-month project to examine options for microgrids that would supply resilient electricity for vital community assets and systems. NYSERDA agreed to provide $100,000 for the NY Prize Stage I project. In all, NYSERDA selected 83 community projects to receive feasibility assessment grants in the NY Prize Community Grid competition.
“On behalf of the community of New Paltz, we would like to thank Governor Cuomo for creating this amazing opportunity to assess the possibility of creating a New Paltz microgrid,” stated Susan Zimet, New Paltz Town Supervisor. “In the aftermath of a large-scale storm such as Hurricane Sandy and Irene, the microgrid will allow key services of the Town and Village to continue operating – and will provide community members with warm places to go, recharge their phones and laptops, and get the food and services they need.”
Village of New Paltz Mayor Tim Rogers added, “I’m honored and excited to be part of our collaborative effort to pursue such an important New York State initiative focused on improving our community’s resiliency.”
The project will assess the potential for deploying localized electricity generation and storage systems, as well as efficiency, conservation, and smart load control technologies, to provide clean, resilient power for numerous vital community assets, including public shelters, emergency response and healthcare facilities, municipal water and wastewater systems, and commercial food stores, pharmacies, and gas stations.
Central Hudson Gas & Electric stated, “Central Hudson is pleased to support this microgrid project, which is an example of a public-private partnership that aims to benefit residents and businesses. Central Hudson has proposed a microgrid program offering of its own and is participating in New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision proceedings, which aims to improve the efficiency of the electric system, promote clean generation and energy efficiency measures, and provide customers with knowledge and tools for effective management of their total energy use through the adoption of new technologies. This project is an example of the type of technology we’re testing as we look toward transforming the energy grid.”
Michael Burr, Director, Microgrid Institute, concluded, “By tapping into local renewable sources and using electricity more wisely, microgrids can help the community to become more resilient and self-reliant – while increasing energy efficiency and reducing pollution. Additionally, an advanced microgrid can create a platform for continued innovation and clean energy development, to support the community’s continued economic growth and vitality.”
-30-
CONTACT:
Peter Douglass, Microgrid Institute
www.microgridinstitute.org
+1.320.493.1923 / pdouglass@microgridinstitute.org