NEW YORK, NY –The REV4NY Exchange began today with more than 350 attendees, including industry leaders, technology providers, innovators and New York State officials. The two-day Exchange is an interactive discussion between New York’s utilities, technology companies, communities and customers to explore new market-based solutions and innovations advancing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.
In addition, the REV4NY Exchange is a featured event of Climate Week, proclaimed by Governor Cuomo from September 22-29 to raise awareness about the challenges faced from a changing climate and to highlight the steps New York is taking to increase resiliency and curb emissions.
The REV4NY Exchange provides an opportunity for the New York State energy leadership team to engage panelists and participants about REV Connect, a new initiative to provide a structure through which new technologies and business models can enter the New York market. REV Connect will serve as a vehicle to match good ideas and project concepts from third parties with the needs of communities and utilities. REV Connect will offer expert guidance, feedback and facilitation to ensure a robust pipeline of future REV demonstrations, non-wire alternatives and other innovative projects.
“With leaders coalescing from around the world in New York this week, and with more than 350 thought leaders in one room to help us further our clean energy goals, this is an opportune and exciting time for an event like the REV4NY Exchange,” said Richard Kauffman, Chairman of Energy and Finance for the State of New York. “We’ve listened to the market, including customers, utilities, and innovative companies, and as part of this dialogue, we’ve determined a need for a new initiative we’re calling REV Connect. Announcing this at the REV Exchange in front of many that we hope will directly participate will enhance our efforts to advance a clean, resilient and affordable energy system.”
Kauffman added: “To fully seize the clean energy opportunities, we know technology companies, utilities, communities and governments need to work together in new ways to serve customers with the solutions they want and need.”
The Exchange, which reached capacity weeks in advance and is available via live streaming at https://www.greentechmedia.com/events/live/energy-to-lead-rev4ny-exchange/additional, supports the Governor’s overall REV strategy as it highlights the various pieces of REV and enables innovators to come together and brainstorm about how to make the most of those opportunities.
“REV is an entirely new approach for New York and it has involved reshaping the State’s approach to clean energy by developing cutting-edge policies and initiatives to support the market instead of being the market,” said Audrey Zibelman, Chair of the New York State Public Service Commission. “For REV and the Governor’s vision to be successful, collaboration between utilities, third parties, communities and customers is paramount, and that is why events such as the REV4NY Exchange are so critical.”
With leaders from around the globe in New York for Climate Week, the REV4NY Exchange seeks to show how market participants can take full advantage of the expanding REV landscape to build a cleaner, more reliable and resilient grid, expand the clean energy market and ensure all New Yorkers benefit – in particular low-to-moderate income customers – and set an example for the rest of the world to follow.
“As we approach the three-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, we are working closely with utilities and other stakeholders to scale-up sustainable, long-term solutions that will advance the State toward its clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions goals,” said John Rhodes, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). “The REV4NY Exchange provides an open forum to develop ideas and strategies that will advance key REV goals. The large turnout at our first Exchange demonstrates technology providers, utilities and innovators have embraced Governor Cuomo’s REV strategy and look to play an active role in transforming New York’s energy industry.”
“We are actively piloting innovative technologies to demonstrate what is possible to customers and businesses,” said Gil C. Quiniones, President and CEO, New York Power Authority (NYPA). “We are also investing in grid innovation and upgrades that will improve efficiency and drive cost savings for consumers. We look forward to integrating the lessons learned from this first Exchange into additional commitments to help the State lead by example.”
The Exchange explores the various pieces of REV and how they all fit together to support private investment and innovation, including:
Updating the traditional utility business model to integrate clean energy into the core of the energy system.
REV demonstration projects, testing entirely new business models and partnerships between utilities and third parties.
NYPrize, a community microgrid competition to support deployment of new technologies and business models to enhance reliability and resiliency for the community and the grid.
NY Green Bank, partnering with private financial institutions to unlock investment in innovative clean energy projects.
Other NYSERDA initiatives, lowering soft costs, investing in research and development, and supporting clean energy for low-to-moderate income customers.
NYPA, working with public and private sector partners to lead by example through programs like BuildSmart NY, which requires state government buildings to reduce their energy use by 20 percent by 2020, and K-Solar, which provides a pathway for school districts to add solar power into their energy mix with no upfront costs.
The REV4NY Exchange is just one of many opportunities through which the State is soliciting feedback and participation from clean energy markets and customers on a variety of REV issues. For instance, public statement hearings and information sessions have been scheduled throughout September and October on the PSC’s low-income energy affordability proceeding. Future events and community meetings are also being planned to directly engage a number of diverse constituencies, communities and consumers on the REV issues they care about most.
