Progress in Ithaca's Combined Heat and Power Project Study!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Energize Ithaca Announces Phase 2 of Downtown Combined Heat and Power - District Energy Utility Project Study.

 

Ithaca, NY, November 27, 2012 – Energize Ithaca is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Energy has agreed to offer technical assistance to complete phase 2 of the Downtown Combined Heat and Power - District Energy (CHP-DE) Utility project study for the greater downtown Ithaca area. 

“Every day at the Downtown Ithaca Alliance we work to make downtown a more desirable and competitive place for growth and investment. We see district energy and a combined heating and power program as a key tool for making downtown a more attractive place for people to invest, develop, work, and live,” said Gary Ferguson, Executive Director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance.

Under the umbrella of Energize Ithaca, LLC, project partners are modeling the framework of CHP-DE. Phase 2 of the project will research and recommend ways in which Ithaca can best utilize distributed energy and CHP to effectively create a strong downtown energy district. "Combined Heat and Power and District Energy will promote the efficient use of our resources, reduce operating and utility expenses for downtown businesses and will allow for higher density development," said project partner David Parks of Energize Ithaca. 

“This is the type of technology that changes the face of traditional commercial and industrial building/operating practices, and we are excited that ASI Energy is participating,” stated project manager Herbert Dwyer of ASI Energy.

Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick said, "In 2006, Common Council approved a plan for the City of Ithaca to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% from 2001 levels by 2016. My administration is still committed to this target. We believe that bringing Combined Heat and Power to Ithaca's downtown and having the direct support of the US Department of Energy will help us achieve this important goal."

Combined heat and power is not a single technology, but an integrated energy system, most commonly using a gas turbine with a heat recovery unit or a steam boiler with a steam turbine, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Combined Heat and Power partnership.

About Energize Ithaca:

Founded in 2011 to develop innovative energy solutions for the City of Ithaca and its business community,  Energize Ithaca, LLC is the end result when a diverse group of community professionals come together to solve two major problems, high energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, with one solution, CHP-DE.

For more information on Combined Heat and Power visit www.combinedheatandpower.com.

 

About ASI Energy:

ASI Energy has been providing energy engineering services for multifamily, commercial and industrial buildings since 2005.  Locally owned and operated, ASI Energy focuses on energy saving strategies that lower costly utility bills and reduce harmful emissions for their clients. For more information visit www.asienergy.com.

For more information on the project itself, contact Herbert Dwyer, CEO/President of ASI Energy at herbert@asienergy.com or call 607-220-8015. 

Think Beyond Plastics Event!!

Dear Friends,

Today we announce the international Think Beyond Plastic competition, an annual contest to challenge entrepreneurs to develop products or solutions that will measurably reduce plastic pollution. 

Eligible contestants will compete for a first prize investment of $50,000 for an existing business, and $10,000 investment for the most innovative business idea.

The winning contestants will have a viable business infrastructure in addition to a remarkable product, material or infrastructure service.

Enter your idea now!

The contest will be juried by leaders in industry and science including Eben Bayer (Ecovative), Mike Biddle (MBA Polymers), Julie Corbett (Ecologic), Adam Lowry (Method), Dr. Ramani Narayan, Mike Velings (A-Spark Good Ventures) and Adam Werbach (Yerdle).

The presentation of awards and the final public event will take place at the Think Beyond Plastic annual conference on March 22, 2013 in Berkeley, CA, in front of an audience of entrepreneurs, investors, journalists and thought leaders.

Think Beyond Plastic, a project of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, is dedicated to fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in addressing the plastic pollution crisis.

Plastic pollution is a problem that the world has just begun to understand. It is massive and urgent. Recycling is not an adequate solution to the increasing consumption of disposable plastic. We seek solutions that will support the call to reduce the planetary plastic footprint.

Enter your idea now!

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr 

***Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact pam@thinkbeyondplastic.com to find out how your company can be a part of this exciting opportunity.

NYSERDA Entrepreneurs in Residence Program 12/12/12

Clean Energy Patents and Clean Energy Breakthroughs!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 31, 2012

Contact:  (518) 452-5600 Victor A. Cardona, Esq. .

HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITI P.C. ANNOUNCES

CLEAN ENERGY PATENT GROWTH INDEX

RESULTS THROUGH 2nd QUARTER 2012

GRANTED PATENTS REACH NEW HIGH
TOYOTA REMAINS CHAMP DUE TO FUEL CELL AND HEV PATENTS

FUEL CELL, SOLAR AND WIND PATENTS JUMP

US Leads-JAPAN Tops Others

CALIFORNIA LEADS STATES FOLLOWED BY  NEW YORK

ALBANY, NY—Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C. is pleased to announce results for the second quarter of 2012 for the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index (CEPGI) by the firm’s Cleantech Group.

The CEPGI tracks the granting of patents in the Clean Energy sector and monitors important technological breakthroughs in this field.  Victor Cardona, Co-chair of the firm’s Cleantech Group stated, “we are pleased to announce that the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index was again at record levels in the second quarter, topping the previous high mark set in the previous quarter.  Wind, Solar, Hybrid/Electric Vehicle, Biomass/Biofuel patents all reached new highs and Toyota held onto the quarterly Clean Energy patent Crown for the second straight quarter, after an absence since 2009.  The US led all others on the strength of California, New York and Michigan. Japan led all other countries, followed by Germany.”

The Clean Energy Patent Growth Index (CEPGI) provides an indication of the trend of innovative activity in the Clean Energy sector since 2002 in the U.S., along with Leading Patent Owners and Leading Country and State information.  Results from the second quarter of 2012 reveal the CEPGI to have a value of 786 granted U.S. patents which is the highest quarterly total since tracking of the CEPGI began and the fourth consecutive record-breaking quarter.  This quarter tops the previous record set in the 1st quarter of 2012 by 92 granted patents, along with being up 249 over the second quarter of last year.  Quarterly results are illustrated below:

Fuel Cells again led the other components of the CEPGI in the second quarter, but Solar technology patents continued to follow on its heels.  Fuel Cells patents were up 32 patents from the first quarter at 264 and were up 59 over a year prior.  Solar patents (188) continued to dominate the remaining components of the CEPGI at 211, up 23 over the previous quarter and up 89 over the second quarter of 2011.  Solar's closest competitor, Wind (187), was up 30 patents over the second quarter and up 74 patents relative to the same period last year.  The surge by Solar patents in the last two quarters comes after Solar and Wind were tied in the fourth quarter of last year.  Hybrid/Electric Vehicle patents (65) rose 3 patents and were up 18 compared to the second quarter of 2011 Biomass/Biofuel patents (36) were up 13 from the first quarter of this year and almost doubled relative to the second quarter of 2011.  Hydroelectric patents (6) were up one compared to the previous quarter while being up two compared to a year prior.

After a three year gap, Toyota took the quarterly Clean Energy Patent crown for the second consecutive quarter in the second quarter of 2012 with 46 patents - down three from the first quarter.  Toyota’s patents were again primarily in Fuel Cells at 32 with an assist from Hybrid/Electric Vehicle patents at 14.  GE trailed Toyota for the second quarter this year - this time by three patents.  Wind patents (39) led for GE followed by Solar (2) and one each in Fuel Cells and Hybrid/Electric Vehicles.  GM jumped back to third place from fourth last quarter, and had 23 Fuel Cell patents and 7 Hybrid/Electric Vehicle patents.  Honda had three less clean energy patents than GM in the second quarter and one more than its own total in the first quarter.  Honda scored 20 Fuel Cell patents and 3 in Hybrid/Electric Vehicles.  Samsung followed with 21 Fuel Cells and 1 Solar patent.  Vestas Wind Systems was next with 20 Wind patents trailing GE for the quarter by 19 in Wind.  Mitsubishi and Siemens were also heavy in Wind patents with 11 each.  Mitsubhishi's total of 16 also included 2 Solar patents and one each in Fuel Cells and Hybrid/Electric Vehicles.  Siemens added 3 Fuel Cell patents to its Wind total.  Sanyo placed ninth for the second quarter with 5 Fuel Cell patents and 7 in Solar.  Ford rounded out the top ten with 6 Fuel Cell and 5 Hybrid/Electric Vehicle patents.

Geographically, Japan again led non-U.S. holders of U.S. clean energy patents and individual U.S. states with 158, up 8 over the first quarter, and up 44 over the same quarter a year ago, to again claim the quarterly geographical clean energy patent crown.  California was in second place for the third consecutive quarter at 95 clean energy patents, up 25 from the first quarter and up 30 compared to a year prior.  Germany was again third with 62 clean energy patents, up 11 over the first quarter and 33 over the same quarter last year.  New York and Michigan switched places from the first quarter with New York gaining 54 clean energy patents, up 7 over the previous quarter and up two over the same quarter a year before.  Michigan had 52 clean energy patents which was up three over the first quarter and 14 relative to the second quarter of 2011.  Korea and Denmark followed as in the first quarter with Korea trailing Michigan by four patents at 48 - up 3 and 7, respectively, compared to last quarter and the same time a year before.  Denmark had 28 clean energy patents which was down four relative to last quarter while being up two compared to last year.  Colorado reached a new quarterly high of 16 while Taiwan fell 13 from the first quarter to 15 and was up four compared to the same period a year ago.  France, Spain and Texas rounded out the top ten with 13 clean energy patents and were closely followed by New Jersey (12), Massachusetts (12) and Canada (11).  Oregon, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Connecticut all had 10 clean energy patents in the second quarter.

More detailed information regarding the CEPGI, including an analysis of each of the technology sectors and geographic breakdowns, is available at www.cleanenergypatentgrowthindex.com.  Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C. is dedicated exclusively to representing clients in the protection and commercialization of intellectual property, both domestic and foreign, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. The firm has gained national recognition in the area of Intellectual Property Law and was listed among the “Top Patent Firms” and “Top Trademark Firms” in Intellectual Property Law Today.  Email inquiries to vac@hrfmlaw.com.

NEXT Conference, November 8

Come. Be Inspired. Leave Smarter.

NEXT is an exciting new technology and innovation conference for businesses of all kinds, from manufacturers to high-tech companies and defense contractors, academic and industry researchers, and entrepreneurs at all stages. Participants come together to explore the latest trends in business practices and learn about cutting edge technological advances.

This launch event will feature keynote speakers Robert Tucker and Peter Singer, international thought leaders in business and science. In addition, the program will be filled with hour-long interactive workshops where attendees examine state-of-the-art tools to improve business and job performance in a setting where fast-track companies meet and learn from regional business leaders, outside industry experts and resource organizations. The day will include many networking opportunities as well.

REGISTER HERE:
http://next-syr.eventbrite.com

Presented: 

 

Please don't miss this great opportunity to engage federal purchasing processes and resources:

RSVP Stacey Bunce

sbunce@syracusecoe.org

Future Energy Investor Conference -- Open Application

Subject: 4th Future Energy Investor Conference - Call for Start-Up Applications

Future Energy is a startup pitch contest for energy and clean tech startups.  At the conference, energy and cleantech startup companies present to a panel of Venture Capital and corporate investors for feedback and a chance at investment.  The event is on Thursday, November 14th in New York and applications to present are due by Friday, October 12.

For more information: http://ultralightstartups.com/future-energy/ 

For application: http://ultralightstartups.com/future-energy/application-form/ 

Each Future Energy event features pitches from 8 early-stage energy technology and cleantech startups. A panel of venture capital investors provides feedback and advice for each presenter. The audience, composed of energy entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and press votes on their favorite startups to allocate prizes.  Winners from the first 3 Future Energy events include Alteros Energy, Pika Energy, and Greenavise.

Since 2008, over 700 startup companies have presented at Ultra Light Startups events.  Of these, over 20% have raised angel funding and over 6% have received venture capital funding. In addition, Future Energy events offer prizes, partnerships, business development, and press opportunities to presenters.

VC firms represented on Future Energy panels include:

- Braemar Energy Ventures

- Earthrise Capital

- Shell International (lead sponsor of Future Energy)

- New Enterprise Associates

- Batelle Ventures

- Clean Energy Venture Group

- Black Coral Capital

- Terawatt Ventures

- RockPort Capital Partners

- SJF Ventures

Sectors of interest include:

- Conventional oil and gas technology (exploration, recovery, and extraction)

- Non-conventional oil and gas technology

- Alternative and renewable energy (solar, wind, hydrogen, biofuels, geothermal, etc.)

- Renewable and bio-based chemicals

- Mobility / smart mobility

- Energy efficiency / smart grid

- Energy finance and trading technologies

More information and the application form can be found on the Future Energy website:

http://ultralightstartups.com/future-energy/ 

Applications to present at the next Future Energy event are due by Friday, October 12 

( http://ultralightstartups.com/future-energy/application-form/ ).

Please contact future.energy@ultralightstartups.com with any questions.

Register Now: Syracuse COE 12th Annual Symposium

The SyracuseCoE's 12th Annual Symposium in Energy and Environmental Systems is only two weeks away, and I’m writing to make sure you're aware of the terrific program of speakers and workshops planned. And we invite and encourage you to share this information with employees and other professional networks you're engaged with.

http://www.syracusecoe.org/coe/sub1.html?skuvar=225

In addition to an opening address by Bill Reed, an internationally-recognized author and proponent of an integrative, whole-systems design process, we are also honored to be joined by Fumitoshi Emura of Hitachi's Smart Infrastructure Systems Business Division in Japan, who will share Hitachi's vision for Social Innovation Business, focused on  integrated systems at personal, home, neighborhood, and community scales, including electric vehicles, home energy management, community energy management, intelligent water, water recycling, smart mobility, security, and district heating and cooling. 

This year's Symposium features a full line-up of outstanding keynote speakers and session presentations, networking opportunities for practitioners, faculty and students, as well as more in-depth workshops.  We even offer a guided tour of Syracuse's LEEDR  Platinum buildings!  AIA and GBCI continuing education credits are available for most sessions and workshops.

If you haven't already registered, be sure and sign up today at  http://www.syracusecoe.org/coe/newevents-noreg.html?event=18

Clean Tech Center portfolio company NOHMs Technologies named To 30 Semi-Finalist

Global Cleantech Cluster Association Announces the 2012 Later Stage Award Global Top 30 Semi-Finalists (via PR Newswire)

ATLANTA, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The Global Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA), a network of cleantech clusters, companies and professionals, today announced its Global Top 30 Semi-Finalists for its 2012 Later Stage Award. Representing the top later stage cleantech companies best positioned…

20 July 2012
Paper Battery Company Awarded as Finalist in the Investment Pitch Competition at the NY New Energy Symposium 2012
Troy, NY—The Paper Battery Company has been awarded as finalist in the Investment Pitch Competition at the Seventh Annual New Energy Symposium in New York City July 18-19, 2012. The competition, now in its fifth year, is hosted by New Energy New York, the Energy & Environmental Technology Applications Center (E2TAC) of the College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering (CNSE), iCLEAN, E2TAC's clean energy incubator at CNSE, and the New York Academy of Sciences.
The Paper Battery Company was selected as one of the top 3 investment-worthy companies from 15 emerging cleantech startups that pitched to an outstanding panel of over 40 regional and national VCs, angels, private equity investors, corporate VCs, investment bankers, and government executives at the Investment Pitch Competition on July 18. Judges were given a pool of hypothetical cash and had to vote by investing their imaginary dollars in the various companies.
Through the last five years, 58 early stage companies that have presented at the New Energy NY Investment Pitch Competition have gone on to raise $160 million in venture capital and government funding to develop clean energy technologies, products, and services.
“Being selected from this group of game-changing energy companies by a highly experienced and diverse investor panel was very encouraging.” said Shreefal Mehta, founding CEO of the Paper Battery Company, “Investors can see our real progress in converting the PowerWrapperTM technology platform technology to first commercial products, focused on valuable applications.”
The winners were invited to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's annual Industry Growth Forum on 23rd October, 2012 and were presented cash and awards to cover registration and travel to this forum.
The Paper Battery Company has also won over $1 million in competitive awards from New York State Energy Development Authority (NYSERDA) over the last few years, and has attracted over $2 million in private investment to match these awards. The company currently has early commercial prototypes currently in evaluation with commercial partners and interested customers. A development kit is now available for select customers by emailing a request to sales@paperbatteryco.com. The company is now transitioning its production processes to prepare for commercial scale manufacture in 2013.

About Paper Battery Company
The Paper Battery Company, located at the Russell Sage College INVEST Incubator, has designed a transformational process to print an ultrathin ultracapacitor. The company’s first product line, PowerPatchTM, provides scalable voltage, energy and power in a single, patternable package. The long life, environmentally-friendly device reduces battery waste, enhances function of lithium batteries and can be designed to fit in or around the tight confines of portable electronic components. The structurally embedded, high-power sheets make ubiquitous energy storage possible, with transformative impact on power management and usage in computing, electronics and transportation.
Paper Battery Company Media Contact:
Shreefal Mehta, CEO; info@paperbatteryco.com; Ph: 518-244-4628

Arista Power Selected as Installer for Solarize Madison County Program

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 30, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Arista Power, Inc. ("Arista Power" or the "Company") (OTCBB: ASPW.OB), a developer, manufacturer, and supplier of custom-designed power management systems, renewable energy storage systems, wind turbines, and a supplier and designer of solar energy systems, announced today that Solarize Madison has selected Arista Power as one of two contractors for Madison County, New York's Solarize Madison program to install at least 30 solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the county. The program is expected to be worth approximately $400,000 in revenue to Arista Power in 2012.

"Arista Power was selected out of the pool of installers that applied for a variety of reasons. They offered competitive pricing, an experienced installation team, a strong network of suppliers, a familiarity of New York State and the NYSERDA incentive application process, and a strong, collaborative company presence," said Scott Ingmire, Director of Madison County Planning Department.

John Benetti, Project Director at Arista Power, said, "We are proud to be part of the solution for increasing energy independence in Madison County. Solarize is an initiative that has been gaining interest across the country by progressive communities that want to bring solar power and all of its benefits to its constituents in a cost effective and easy way. The outstanding Madison County team not only brought to the area the Solarize initiative, but they also, through the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board for Climate Change and Innovation Program (C2IP), made Solarize even more attractive by obtaining additional funding with grants."

Solarize Madison was initiated by the Madison County Planning Department and the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board with support from the Renewable Energy Training Center at Morrisville State College with the goal of bringing solar energy to Madison County with cost savings through volume purchasing and a streamlined installation process. The Solarize Madison program is receiving additional funding via a grant by the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board for Climate Change Innovation Program (C2IP) that provides Madison County up to $30,000 to promote the use of energy conservation measures and alternative energy development.

The Madison County Planning Department is offering fifteen $2,000 grants to help offset the acquisition costs associated with installing a direct-own solar photovoltaic system.

Glenn Steed, Arista Power's Installation Coordinator, said, "I am looking forward to working on this great project along with the various contractors and educational institutions within Madison County. The community element of the Solarize Madison program is going to be a great boon to our industry, not only within Madison County, but throughout New York State as well."

Interested participants must pledge by September 30, 2012 to install a system. Pending successful site evaluations by Arista Power, total project capacity should be attained by the end of October 2012. The program is open to all Madison County home and business owners, farmers, institutions, and municipalities on a first come first serve basis for a limited time. Interested parties should go to www.solarizemadison.com for more information.

New York City's Flagship Cleantech Incubator Grows, Adds Three Startups to Roster

NEW YORK, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The roster of the city's preeminent cleantech business incubator is set to grow again, as three startup companies join the New York City Accelerator for a Clean and Renewable Economy (NYC ACRE at NYU-Poly).

The newest tenants, Energex Technologies, Enertiv and HEVO, join 11 companies that have been fostered at NYC ACRE since it was founded in 2009 with a mission to establish New York as a hub for clean energy technology innovation and entrepreneurship. In three years, NYC ACRE startups have raised more than $17 million in capital and created 100 full-time jobs. To date, seven companies have "graduated" from the incubator.

NYC ACRE is seeded by a four-year, $1.5 million grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and is operated by the Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU-Poly). Partners include the New York City Investment Fund, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, NYU, Columbia University and Pratt Institute.


Energex Technologies aims to produce a first-of-its-kind environmental sensor technology to optimize and protect data centers. The company's flagship product -- currently slated for release within 12 months -- will allow organizations to assess and monitor critical environmental variables including temperature, humidity, pressure, air flow, gaps, vibrations, smoke and pollutants, all without the need for multiple sensors. Energex estimates that this type of optimization could reduce data center procurement, deployment and maintenance costs by as much as 60 percent. Energex Technologies was founded in January 2010 and has six employees.

Enertiv designs, manufactures, markets and installs real-time energy monitoring systems and software for commercial and institutional facilities. Its flagship system, Enertiv One, works at the circuit level to track, measure and report energy usage, allowing facility managers to identify energy waste and trim costs. Enertiv detects common energy drains - such as leaving lights on or running air conditioning systems on the coldest setting - as well as system-wide issues such as a clogged duct or failing electric motor. Its system tracks energy consumption to the second and the cent, from individual electrical outlets to entire floors. The founders say that one of Enertiv's core commitments is to always manufacture and develop all hardware and software in the United States. It has deployed systems in the New Haven and Stamford (Connecticut) Public School Districts and at select YMCA and Quiznos locations. Founded in 2011, Enertiv employs 10 people and expects to grow to 14-16 by summer.

HEVO (Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Optimization) is developing a rugged wireless charging unit, the HEVO Power Station, designed to be deployed in parking lots and garages, motor pools, city streets, highways and other highly trafficked areas. The embeddable device will provide full interoperability and the capability to wirelessly charge any plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle fit with a compatible wireless receiver. An accompanying app, HEVO Mobile, will provide mobile platforms like wireless bill pay, mapping and guidance controls as well as safety and vehicle service access. Conceived while its founder and CEO was a U.S. Army Infantry platoon leader in Baghdad in 2008, HEVO incorporated in 2011 and has six employees.

"There's palpable excitement each time we welcome new businesses to NYC ACRE, and we congratulate Energex, Enertiv and HEVO on joining this outstanding group of companies," said NYU-Poly President Jerry M. Hultin. "Every clean energy idea that grows into a strong business enriches our community of entrepreneurs, and builds New York City as a place where global climate and energy solutions are born."

"NYSERDA's six incubators, including NYC ACRE, continue to help emerging clean energy companies raise capital, produce new products and compete in the cleantech economy," said Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO of NYSERDA. "The innovative entrepreneurial spirit taking place in these incubators is one reason New York State continues to lead the nation in high-tech commercialization."

Competition for acceptance into NYC ACRE is competitive, and NYC ACRE curates support services for each company based upon its needs. Startup companies receive discounted office space at the NYU-Poly Varick Street Incubator, as well as business development mentoring, networking opportunities and introductions to the city's venture capital and utility communities. Entrepreneurs also have access to faculty and student interns from NYU-Poly and other academic partners.

"NYC ACRE is a vital pipeline for cultivating NYU-Poly's core commitment to i-squared-e -- invention, innovation and entrepreneurship -- among our students and faculty," added President Hultin. "Internships with incubator companies allow our students to help build a technology business from the ground up and to share in the thrills of success. They all leave inspired, and some even leave with job offers."

The recent admissions to NYC ACRE follow the "graduation" of three tenant companies. Anellotech, licensor of a thermochemical technology to produce petrochemicals from renewable resources at low cost, expects to bring its first small-scale plant online in the next few years.

Rentricity, one of the incubator's first tenants, uses unique energy recovery turbine configurations to transform the untapped energy in water systems into clean electricity. The company has completed three commercial installations and recently commenced the review of wastewater energy recovery for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Rentricity has offices in New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Sollega joined the incubator in 2009 with only a product prototype: a solar module mounting system called InstaRack that cuts installation costs by up to 50 percent. It has since installed systems in 20 states and has projects with GE and National Grid.

"Anellotech, Rentricity and Sollega illustrate the strength that NYC ACRE companies bring to New York City," said Micah Kotch, NYU-Poly director of incubator initiatives. "They are bringing innovation to market, generating revenue, paying taxes and employing New Yorkers who are leveraging the city's strengths to build a clean economy.

Proof of Concept centers to connect energy innovators with business investors

ALBANY – The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority announced $15 million to launch three "Proof of Concept" Centers across the state to help inventors and scientists turn high-tech, clean-energy ideas into entrepreneurial successes.

The Proof-of-Concept Centers will invite universities, scientists, and research organizations to partner with business experts and early-stage investors in order to move technical innovations beyond the lab and into the market. At a time when New York is growing its clean-energy economy, the centers will invest in the world-class research taking place in the state, while helping bridge the gap between the maturing of an idea in a research environment and the creation of a successful business.

"These centers will strengthen New York's already robust clean technology sector and help create new public-private partnerships between our scientific research institutions and business community," Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

NYSERDA will invest up to $5 million per site over a five-year period, with cost-sharing required – to create the centers within an appropriate organization. The centers will accelerate the commercialization of innovations, particularly through the creation of new start-up companies, while connecting the developers of promising new technologies with business mentors and potential investors.

Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA, said, "There is a key gap at the proof-of-concept stage of product development. The goal of this program is to create an innovation ecosystem that helps turn promising cleantech business ideas into reality. By funding these new centers, New York State demonstrates its commitment to growing the clean-energy economy and its support of economic development through public-private partnerships."

This program dovetails with a number of NYSERDA’s business programs already in place:

• NYSERDA funds six cleantech business incubators located around the state. These programs currently work with 84 clean-tech start-ups. Since the program began, the incubator tenant companies have raised $63 million in capital while creating 38 new products and 166 new jobs.
• NYSERDA fosters the creation of clean-energy business clusters around New York State, such as sponsoring the Energy Infotech Forum last year, which helped bring together information technology experts to find IT solutions to clean-energy needs.
• NYSERDA supports programs that help businesses operate more effectively, such as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence program, which links a seasoned entrepreneur with a clean-energy start-up, and the Clean Tech Execs program, which helps prepare business executives with the knowledge to head a clean-energy company.

NYSERDA funding is an investment in the establishment of long-lasting programs. Proposers would have to provide a plan for the centers to continue operating after NYSERDA funding expires. Institutions interested in applying for funding have until July 18, 2012 to submit their proposals, with letters due June 6. NYSERDA expects to announce the institutions selected in fall 2012.

Paper Battery Company is a Finalist for the 2012 Red Herring Top 100 Americas Award

11 May 2012, Troy, NY – Paper Battery Company announced today it has been selected as a Finalist for Red Herring's Top 100 Americas award, a prestigious list honoring the year’s most promising private technology ventures from the North American business region.

The Red Herring editorial team selected the most innovative companies from a pool of hundreds from across North America. The nominees are evaluated on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, quality of management, execution of strategy, and integration into their respective industries.

This unique assessment of potential is complemented by a review of the actual track record and standing of a company, which allows Red Herring to see past the “buzz” and make the list a valuable instrument for discovering and advocating the greatest business opportunities in the industry.

"This year was very rewarding," said Alex Vieux, publisher and Chairman of Red Herring. "There are so many great companies producing truly innovative and amazing products and technologies. We had a very difficult time narrowing the field and selecting the Finalists from such a group of future stars. Paper Battery Company shows great promise therefore deserves to be on the short list. Now we are faced with the difficult task of selecting the Top 100 winners.”

Finalists for the 2012 edition of the Red Herring 100 Americas award are selected based upon their technological innovation, management strength, market size, investor record, customer acquisition, and financial health. During the several months leading up to the announcement, hundreds of companies in the, security, Web 2.0, software, hardware, life sciences, cloud, mobile and other sectors completed their submissions to qualify for the award.

“Being named a Red Herring 100 North America finalist underscores the breakthrough potential and impact of the company’s environmentally-friendly technology.” said Shreefal Mehta, founding CEO of the Paper Battery Company, “We are humbled to be selected in this list of outstanding companies from across the US.”

The Finalists are asked to present their winning strategies at the Red Herring Americas Forum in Santa Monica, California, May 21-23, 2012. The Top 100 winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony the evening of May 23 at the event.

About Paper Battery Company
The Paper Battery Company, located at the Russell Sage College INVEST Incubator, has designed a transformational process to print an ultrathin ultracapacitor. The company’s first product line, PowerPatch™, provides scalable voltage, energy and power in a patternable, planar package. The long life, environmentally friendly device reduces battery waste, enhances function of lithium batteries and can be designed to fit in or around the tight confines of portable electronic components. The structurally embedded, high-power sheets make ubiquitous energy storage possible, with transformative impact on power management and usage in computing, electronics and transportation.

Paper Battery Company Media Contact: Shreefal Mehta, CEO; info@paperbatteryco.com; Ph: 518-244-4628

Performance Systems Development Joins Green Button Initiative

Company joins national effort to standardize energy data and engage consumers on energy use

Ithaca, NY (May 3, 2012) - Performance Systems Development (PSD) a building performance software and services provider, joins other leading technology companies and utilities to announce that it has joined Green Button, an industry-led initiative to empower consumers to make informed decisions on efforts to reduce their energy bills.

Last year, the White House issued a call to action, challenging industry to provide electricity customers with easy access to their energy usage data in a secure, user-friendly, electronic format via a “Green Button” on their utilities web site. Access to data on energy use can play a large role in helping consumers conserve energy and save money by accessing new tools and services developed by third parties.

Green Button is based on a common technical standard developed in collaboration with a publicprivate partnership supported by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology. The standard can be applied to residential, commercial, and industrial sector data.

“Easy and recurring access to energy information is critical to improve the success and efficiency of the energy efficiency industry,” said Greg Thomas, CEO of Performance Systems Development and Chair of Efficiency First, the national building retrofit trade association. “We applaud the White House for rapidly moving forward this voluntary standard. It will help building and homeowners make better decisions, help contractors and engineers improve their energy services, and help utilities improve the cost effectiveness of their programs.”

As part of its mission to achieve peak performance across America’s building stock, PSD will offer Green Button energy data connections as part of its Building Performance Compass software. PSD’s energy program management software supports residential, multifamily, and commercial energy programs funded by Pacific Gas & Electric, Duke Energy, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the US Department of Energy and others.

About Performance Systems Development:

Performance Systems Development specializes in providing software, training, and consulting to the building energy efficiency industry. The company provides a whole-systems approach to energy policy, programs, solutions, and software processes, to improve process efficiency. PSD continues to develop TREAT, a leading energy simulation tool for building retrofits, and Compass, an energy benchmarking tool for residential and commercial use.


For more information contact:

Whit Fulton
Chief Strategy Officer
Tel: (202) 207-6882
Performance Systems Development
New York office:        124 Brindley Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
Pennsylvania offices: 40 West Evergreen Ave., Suite 104, Philadelphia, PA, 19118,
                                  297 ½ Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335
www.psdconsulting.com
www.wespeakbuilding.com

Momentive Performance Materials Launches New SilTRUST* Silicone Encapsulant Technology for Solar Energy

Offers Greater Performance, Reduced Manufacturing Costs for Solar Modules

ALBANY, N.Y., May 02, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- New transparent silicone encapsulant technology from Momentive Performance Materials Inc, a leading global provider of silicones and advanced materials, can help ensure the long-lasting performance of solar energy photovoltaic (PV) modules in harsh outdoor environments, while improving the light-to-electricity conversion yield. Greater stress resistance, weatherability, corrosion protection and a longer life span with higher efficiency for crystalline silicon PV modules may result in higher longer-term return on investment for solar energy projects. Momentive introduced its SilTRUST* transparent silicone encapsulant material in a technical paper on silicone encapsulation at the Polymers in Photovoltaics 2012 forum in Cologne, Germany, April 24-26.

In the solar industry, SilTRUST encapsulant can be used to surround the fragile solar cells of the PV module with a very flexible, stress dissipating silicone matrix that adheres well, yet does not pass on much of the mechanical stress the cell may suffer due to harsh environmental conditions. Based on unique technology, through a combination of optical and outstanding mechanical properties, SilTRUST silicone encapsulant materials offer module manufacturers a commercially viable way to produce crystalline silicon PV modules with a longer use life and better energy conversion efficiency.

Because silicones do not absorb ultraviolet light, more sunlight reaches the surface of the solar cell where it becomes available for conversion to electricity. The refractive index of SilTRUST encapsulant closely matches the refractive index of glass, reducing energy-dissipating reflection of sunlight away from the solar cell.

SilTRUST encapsulant is used at much lower module manufacturing temperatures, thus avoiding stress due to differences in thermal expansion coefficients of a module's components. At 80 deg C, which is about the maximum operating temperature for a PV module, a silicone module is virtually stress free. This is one of the factors why silicones remain the material of choice for extraterrestrial photovoltaic panels that see many extreme thermal cycles, enduring severe thermal shocks during the course of a day, as satellites orbit the earth. SilTRUST encapsulant material now enables cost effective manufacturing of crystalline silicon solar modules for terrestrial purposes.

"SilTRUST silicone encapsulation of solar cells has been shown to improve the efficiency and durability of solar panels while lowering manufacturing costs," said Dr. Alex Scholten, Global Program Leader, EcoEnergy at Momentive Performance Materials. "In tests, this encapsulant material outperformed traditional encapsulant materials in PV applications. With our project collaborators, we have also developed a lower temperature, cost-effective module manufacturing process to offer flexibility in equipment and raw materials use as well as ease and speed in processing." The process not only requires significantly less investment in equipment, it also operates at much lower temperatures and faster curing speeds than typically found in the manufacture of cells encapsulated using other materials.

"Innovation in encapsulant formulations and processing technology will lead to higher quality solar panels that are less expensive to make," said Dr. Markus Putzer, Engineered Materials Technology Leader at Momentive Performance Materials. "At Momentive, we see this as a contribution towards making solar energy a competitive, reliable and sustainable source of energy."

Onsite Wind Power Cranks 3.3 MW For NY Company

by Paul Willis posted April 30, 2012

Zotos, a haircare manufacturer, claims to have created the largest onsite wind project of any U.S. manufacturer. The company said the wind farm located at its plant in Geneva, NY., had helped it reach its goal of finding 100 percent of its electrical needs from renewables.

Zotos’ wind project has received the endorsement of the pro-wind lobby group the American Wind Energy Association, who said it was the largest wind project of any manufacturer in the U.S. It is also the largest private industrial wind plan in the New York State region. The project was funded in part by the 2009 federal stimulus, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The project comprises two 1,650-kilowatt (kW) wind turbines (yielding a total capacity of 3.3 megawatts), which provide power to the 670,000-square-foot manufacturing plant, which employs 760 staff.
The company, which makes haircare and styling aid products and is owned by global cosmetics giant Shiseido, said the onsite wind turbines were a first in the beauty industry.

“After years of hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability, we have finally achieved a key milestone toward our vision of sustainable beauty,” Anthony Perdigao, the vice president and chief sustainability officer at Zotos said in a statement. “This is a historic moment for Zotos, our parent company, and our community. If we can do it, so can others.”

Zotos is one of number of U.S manufacturers who have begun installing on-site clean energy systems to help meet their power needs. One of the most high profile to date is Walmart, which has pledged to get all its power from renewables (though it has yet to set a date for when this will happen). Right now the retail giant has 180 renewable energy projects in operation or under development, including 100 solar power installations. According to Walmart, the company’s long-term goals include reducing its greenhouse gases at its facilities around the world by 20 percent by the end of this year.

Even so, onsite renewable energy supplied just 4 percent of Walmart’s power in 2010, and the company has a long way to go before reaching its 100 percent goal.

Zotos whose products are sold under the Zotos, JOICO, ISO, Senscience, and Bain de Terre brand names to hair salons and beauty retailers, said wind power made up just one part its green energy portfolio. It’s other efforts towards sustainability include energy-efficient lighting, reductions in water consumption, a significant increase in rail use, and the use of 100 percent recycled materials in most of its packaging. It has also pioneered the use of plant-based plastics in its bottle production.

Zotos said the wind project was expected to meet nearly 60 percent of the Geneva plant’s power needs. To make up the remaining 40 percent, the company recently entered into an agreement to purchase up to 9 million kW of green energy.
“Zotos is proud to lead the way for other manufacturers interested in sustainability,” Perdigao added. “Our future depends on it.”

LED lighting fixture maker Ephesus developing prototype chip with Group4 Labs

Original article source: SemiConductor Today Posted on Apr 12, 2012
http://www.semiconductor-today.com/news_items/2012/APRIL/GROUP4_110412.html

LED lighting fixture maker Ephesus developing prototype chip with Group4 Labs. Ephesus Technologies LLC of Syracuse, NY, USA (a firm founded in June 2010 by former Lockheed Martin employees that designs and makes LED lighting fixtures for commercial and municipal markets) has partnered with Group4 Labs Inc of Fremont, CA to engineer and manufacture its own prototype LED chip as it aims to become vertically integrated.

With a manufacturing facility at the University of Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center of Excellence (STC) in Canandaigua, NY, Group4 Labs develops and supplies ‘extreme materials’ that aim to improve the performance of gallium nitride (GaN)-based devices. The firm’s technology enables epitaxial GaN layers to be atomically attached (regardless of lattice mismatch) to a free-standing, proprietary chemical-vapor-deposited (CVD) synthetic polycrystalline diamond substrate, providing GaN-on-diamond epiwafers.

Ephesus initially resided in Syracuse University’s Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering (CASE Center). The firm now has 16 staff and is based in the Syracuse Technology Garden (with a manufacturing location at Ansen Corp in Ogdensburg, NY), but plans to re-locate to Baldwinsville in Central New York as it expands.

The EG4 is reckoned to be the first LED to be completely developed and manufactured in New York State. Ephesus says that development was aided by upstate New York’s research and manufacturing strengths in the regional innovation cluster related to clean technologies and through collaboration with upstate New York academic institutions and several New York Centers of Excellence (CoE).

In February, Ephesus received a $50,000 grant from the SyracuseCoE Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP), which was established in partnership with Syracuse-based CenterState CEO (Corporation for Economic Opportunity, formerly the Metropolitan Development Association) and Empire State Development (ESD) with grants received under the auspices of New York Assemblyman William Magnarelli. The firm also received a $1m tax incentive from the ESD. STC provided support and infrastructure to enable Group4 Labs to produce demonstration LEDs as a first step toward the development of super-bright LEDs.

Ephesus has also benefited from the New York Energy Regional Innovation Cluster (NYE-RIC) – a consortium led by Syracuse University in partnership with City University of New York (CUNY), NYSTAR (New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research), and the State University of New York (SUNY) Research Foundation. NYE-RIC’s ‘Bridge to Markets’ program – funded by SyracuseCoE and NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), and conducted in collaboration with CenterState CEO – connects New York state firms that have developed innovative products for advanced buildings with the diverse and critical stakeholders in the target market of New York City.

Existing Ephesus LED lighting products target a broad range of applications, including warehouses, manufacturing facilities, parking lots/garages, roadways, stadiums, tunnels and bridges. Currently, fixtures are produced in New York State using LED chips from third-party companies, and the LED array comprises over 47% of the cost of the entire Ephesus lighting fixture. By developing its own LED chip, Ephesus aims to cut the cost of its LED fixtures by 30%. 

“Our EG4 LED chip will be commercialized through small-scale production and be demonstrated and used in Ephesus lighting fixtures,” says CEO Amy Casper. Ephesus reckons that the EG4 will differentiate its products from other LED-based products and allow it to capture more market share in the LED fixture market.

“This new chip can meet a rapidly growing demand for highly efficient lighting and smart lighting technology,” reckons CenterState CEO’s president Robert Simpson. “For our region, this will result in new jobs and investment, and offer further evidence that our collective effort to create a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem is paying real dividends,” he adds.

Other organizations involved with Ephesus in developing the technology include Alfred University, American Dicing, Ansen Corp., Binghamton University, Clarkson University, Clean Tech Center, Cornell University, Lighting Research Center, LINC, Onondaga County Economic Development, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Syracuse University, and the Tech Garden. 

"The state’s partnership with Ephesus Technologies is a great example of what can be accomplished through collaboration between the private-sector, academia and government,” comments Jim Fayle, Central New York regional director with Empire State Development. “The success of this home-grown small business will create much-needed jobs and generate significant economic activity for Upstate New York,” he adds.

Solar Roastery Claims The Greenest Beans In NY

by Susan DeFreitas posted February 23, 2012 

The folks at Eldorado Coffee Roasters claim to be “the only green coffee roaster in New York City,” and they’re not talking about the beans. The company recently installed a rooftop solar photovoltaic system at its headquarters in Maspeth, Queens, rated to produce at least 280,000 kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually—enough to knock out the entire electricity bill.

The project was engineered, constructed and financed by Solar Energy Systems (SES), a company headquartered in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, that has done some swift business in recent years servicing the emerging market for commercial solar in both New York and New Jersey. SES will operate and maintain Eldorado’s solar power system, selling the solar power to the roastery at a discounted rate through a power purchase agreement.

The project was paid for, in part, by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, that federal legislation passed in the wake of the 2008 economic collapse that has proven to be a gift that keeps on giving when it comes to renewable energy projects. That assistance, in combination with federal, state and local tax incentives, helped to put Eldorado’s considerable rooftop real estate to work in producing renewable energy in the heart of the city.

Of the project, Francis J. Murray Jr, President and CEO of NYSERDA, said, in a statement: ”By investing in solar energy, the state is not only able to drive down the cost of doing business for Eldorado Coffee Roasters, but also helping to improve power reliability in New York City by reducing demand on the electric grid.” He went on to note that public-private partnerships such as this represent a critical component to New York meeting its renewable energy goals.

The Paper Battery company recieves $200,000 from the Eastern New York Angels, LLC

We are proud to announce that the Eastern New York Angels, LLC, an upstate New York member managed angel investment group, have invested $200,000 in The Paper Battery Company. The funding comes only months after a $1 million grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Combined, the funding will do a great deal in helping the Paper Battery Company commercialize the PowerPatch(tm), an ultra-thin, integrated super-capacitor that's scalable in voltage, energy and power. The Paper Battery Company is a portfolio company of The Clean Tech Center.

For more information visit http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/morning_call/2012/01/paper-battery-co-lands-200k-angel.html.

NYSERDA grants $300,000 for advancements in deep energy retrofits

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has granted two Ithaca, New York companies, Taitem Engineering and Snug Planet, $300,000 to optimize and promote technologies to improve residential energy performance. The funding is based largely on reducing high upfront costs associated with deep energy retrofits, an efficient retrofitting approach utilizing rigid insulation or spray foam in exterior walls to reduce heat loss. Although deep energy retrofits have proven reductions in energy from 60-75%, high upfront costs serve as a barrier for many homeowners.

With combined experience in the design and application of deep energy retrofits, Taitem Engineering and Snug Planet have their sights on reducing costs by using alternative insulation materials and streamlining the retrofit process.

For more information visit http://dev.ithacaindy.com/article/20120130/two-ithaca-energy-conservation-firms-receive-300k-from-state/.

$248,000 awarded for clean technology commercializtion!

In an announcement made by State Assemblyman William Magnarelli, The Syracuse Center of Excellence and CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity, five New York Companies have received significant funding from the Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP). Totaling $248,000, the CAP awards are granted to promote the commercialization of innovative clean technologies.

The five winners of the CAP awards are Ephesus Technologies, a LED lighting design/manufacture company; GreenView Energy Management Systems, who implements turnkey, real-time, remotely monitored data acquisition services for energy commodities (electricity, natural-gas, water, generators, fuel-cells, solar and wind); Rapic Cure Technologies, a formulation and manufacture company of value added energy-curable resins, coatings, inks and adhesives; Synairco, who is commercializing a ultra-efficient, environmentally responsible air-conditioning system that uses solar or waste heat for cooling and dehumidification; and Synex, a developer of control products for steam, hydronic, and thermal fluid heat transfer systems.

We are proud to announce that Ephesus Technologies, GreenView Energy Managment Systems, Rapid Cure Technologies and Synairco are portfolio companies of the Cleantech Center!

For more information visit http://www.esf.edu/communications/view.asp?newsID=1484.

Brookings Institute praises NYSERDA

A new report from the Brookings Institute, "Leveraging State Clean Energy Funds for Economic Development", finds New York's heavy investment in clean technologies to be paying off. The Institute attributes New York's success to the comprehensive approach taken by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Instead of focusing on individual projects or attracting industries from other states, the report has found NYSERDA to work towards cultivating New York's own industries.

The report praises NYSERDA's Clean Energy Business Incubator Program, and states that the program is a critical element in growing an innovative, clean-energy ecosystem across New York State. Only in their fourth year of operation, such business incubators have created hundreds of high quality jobs, raised $41 million in private capital and has helped attracted $11 million in federal funding.

For more information visit http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2012/01/nyserda-gets-high-marks-on-clean-energy.html.

$30 million provided for large-scale solar projects

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the State Public Service Commission (PSC) have awarded $30 million to help Westchester and New York City facilities fund large-scale solar power projects.  The funding comes from the first round of the Customer-Sited Tier Regional Program, which will provide solar installers, solar developers and real estate owners with a total of $150 million over five years to for large solar photovoltaic and renewable biogas fueled electric generation projects.  The program provides businesses with as much as 50% of the total cost for projects up to $3 million.

Alteris Alteris Renewables, Inc., altPOWER, Bright Power, ConEdison Solutions, Inc., Earthkind Energy, Inc., Martifer Solar USA, OnForce Solar, Inc., Ross Solar Group, LLC, SolarCIty, Solar Energy Systems, LLC, Solartech Renewables, SunEdison, and SUNation Solar, Inc., SunRay Power and MS Harrison LLC received funding.  The funding is expected to greatly increase the self-sufficiency of large department stores,  apartment complexes and postal service distribution centers.

For more information visit http://www.empirestatenews.net/News/20120112-4.html.