California based semiconductor company to open two locations in New York State

Group4 Labs Inc., a California based company that specializes in the research and development of semiconductor materials for a myriad of uses, has announced two new facilities in New York State. With aid from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Group4 will move into the nanotechnology research and development center in what was once the General Electric Co. Electronics Laboratory in Salina. The company expects to create 94 high quality manufacturing jobs in Salina over the course of the next four years.

The company is also establishing a R&D facility at the University of Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany, NY and expects to create 50 jobs in the State's capital city.

For more information visit http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/california_nanotech_company_wi.html.

Empire State Building sets an example for high profile energy retrofits

Anthony Malkin, the owner of New York City's iconic empire state building, has recently invested $20 million to retrofit the building for energy efficiency. The retrofits, which were originally discussed in a post on October 15th, have reduced the building's energy consumption by 38%, and are expected to pay for themselves over the next five years. In addition the retrofits are projected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 100,000 tons over a 15 year period.

In addition to environmental benefits the retrofits have attracted high-profile tenants willing to pay more for space in New York's tallest, energy efficient building.

For more information visit http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/real-estate/new-yorks-tallest-building-is-now-one-of-its-greenest/19798859/.

Refer to our October 15th post at http://cleantechny.blogspot.com/2010/10/empire-state-building-installs-state-of.html.

Recharge NY

The New York State Senate has recently passed legislation to create "Recharge NY", a program aimed at creating/retaining jobs by providing businesses with low-cost power. With energy rates nearly twice as high as those in other states, the program has the potential to revive New York's economy and restore countless manufacturing jobs that have been lost to the competitive advantage of other states.

Recharge NY is a continuation of New York's current Power for Jobs program which provides businesses with 455 megawatts of discounted power and proposes to double that number to 910 MW. The program is supported by the Business Council of New York State, the New York Farm Bureau, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York and the Environmental Advocates of New York.

For more information about the program visit http://www.nysenate.gov/print/84676.

NYSERDA offers incentive for fuel cell installation

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has announced its Customer-Sited Tier Fuel Cell Program, which gives up to $1 million for hospitals, schools, companies and other large users of electricity to install fuel cells.

Fuel Cells, which convert natural gas to a hydrogen-rich fuel for electricity generation emit 60% less carbon dioxide than combustion engines and only lose approximately 8% of energy produced to transmission. Fuel cells vary in size but can generate an upwards of 400 kW of electricity on site. Such statistics make fuel cells a promising way to reduce the total energy load on New York State's grid while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The program, which is funded by New York State's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), is available to any ratepayer who pays the RPS charge.

For more information visit http://libn.com/blog/2011/03/16/ny-sets-aside-22m-for-fuel-cell-incentives/.

Syracuse wins IBM's Smarter Cities Grant

Syracuse was chosen to be one of 24 cities to receive IBM's Smarter Cities Grant. The grant, which is worth up to $400,000, sends up to 10 IBM experts to Syracuse to develop a software-based planning tool to combat the problem of vacant properties in Syracuse, a problem designated by city officials. The team of experts plan to do this by blending information about a wide range of factors like crime rates, poverty, tree cover, trash collection, etc. to predict problems with vacant housing and efficiently allocate resources.  The city expects work on the project to start next fall.

Of the 24 cities chosen by IBM, only 8 are in the United States and Syracuse is the only recipient in New York State.  

For more information visit http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/syracuse_named_one_of_ibms_sma.html.

The Industrial and Process Efficiency Program

Requiring an abundant amount of energy to power computers and HVAC equipment, Data Centers put a heavy strain on New York's electrical grid. To counter this NYSERDA has partnered with Con Edison and IBM to create the Industrial and Process Efficiency Program to provide organizations with up to 50% of the total cost (or $5 million) for projects in data center efficiency. Currently $100 million is available under the program.

With the second-highest concentration of data centers in the country, New York State has the potential to cut total energy use by 55,000 megawatt-hours per year, saving a total of $8 million in energy costs.

For more information on the program including instructions for applications visit http://www.nyserda.org/programs/Existing_facilities/data_centers.html.

William Acker named executive director of the New York Battery and Energy Storage Consortium

The New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST) has named William Acker its executive director. Founded in 2010 with $25 million from NYSERDA's Clean Energy Interstate Rule, NY-BEST is a member organization working to build and promote a world-class advanced battery and storage sector in New York State.

With extensive experience in the clean technology sector, William Acker is a good pick for executive director. William Acker is the founder of MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. which specializes in the production of micro fuel cell power systems and is a founder/chairman of both Taconic Energy, Inc. and Optiwind, Corp. William Acker has also served as vice president of technology and product development at Plug power Inc.  As executive directer Acker plans to unite New York's energy storage companies, universities and partners to advance the New York battery and energy storage sector.

For more information visit http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2011/02/28/acker-named-head-of-battery-consortium.html.

The Center for Advanced Materials Processing at Clarkson University

With a mandate to develop innovations in advanced materials processing and transfer them to business and industry, The Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP) at Clarkson University has created immense economic benefits for the state of New York. Over its 10 years of operation, CAMP has created $275 million in economic benefits through increased sales, reduced costs and external funding/investments for businesses.

CAMP capitalizes on Clarkson's expertise in colloid/surface science and fine particle technology to research the production, modification and conversion of matter for which nano-sized particles, colloidal media, and/or surfaces play an important role in the process or properties of the final product.

For more information regarding CAMP visit http://www.clarkson.edu/camp/.

New York farmers are national leaders in the adoption of renewable energy sources

A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey found that 202 farms in New York were producing renewable energy. Of the 202 farms, 156 had photovoltaic panels and 58 had wind turbines. In addition, 18 farms have methane digesters to create bio-gas, the second most in the country behind Wisconsin!

Through the employment of renewable energies the farms saved an average of $5,067 on their utility bills.

For more information visit http://blog.timesunion.com/business/more-than-200-ny-farms-generate-renewable-energy/22910/.

NYSERDA induced into the Alliance to Save Energy's "Energy Efficiency Hall of Fame"

On February 16, 2010 The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority became the first Government Agency to ever be induced into the Alliance to Save Energy's "Energy Efficiency Hall of Fame". Created in 2004 to recognize those whose dedication have led to breakthroughs in the advancement of energy efficiency, the hall of fame is composed of congressional staff members/committees and national energy research labs.

NYSERDA received the high honor for being a government leader in the promotion of energy efficiency since the agency's foundation in 1975. The agency boasts a $2.20 energy bill savings for every dollar invested, totaling more than $2.9 billion saved.  Kateri Callahan, the president of the Alliance to Save Energy justified the induction by stating "NYSERDA's well rounded approach to energy efficiency has encompassed innovation, business development, education, workforce development and the environment. In addition, the agency has successfully leveraged public/private partnerships to create and sustain energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, making it a stellar role model for the rest of the country."

For more information visit: http://www.nyserda.org/Press_Releases/2011/PressReleas20110217.asp

The Syracuse Tech Garden becomes the U.S. headquarters for two international clean technology companies

ProTerra LED and SunEnergy Europe launched their new U.S. headquarters at the Syracuse Tech Garden on Monday. ProTerra LED of Toronto and SunEnergy Europe of Germany picked Syracuse because of its thriving regional clean technology innovation cluster, skilled workforce, robust supply chain and leadership in clean energy technology development.

ProTerra LED specializes in the development of industrial lighting systems that are 60-80% more efficient without using mercury or other trouble chemicals. Proterra will need employees for sales, marketing, engineering, assembling and testing and projects that 100 jobs will be created within the next 5 years. The company, which requires a local supply chain has the potentially to create another 1,000 jobs indirectly.

SunEnergy Europe specializes in the development of photovoltaic systems for businesses, schools and government and has goals of installing 12-15 MW before January 2013. SunEnergy's presence in Syracuse is expected to directly create 12 jobs while many more will be generated through contracting others to install such systems.

For more information visit http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02./canadian_german_firms_launch_u.html.