By Padma Edirisinghe
The opening day of NYEW 2019 started with a focus on innovation, explored current trends in the energy sector, utilization of state sponsors financing availability for businesses, approaches for empowering communities, discussed much needed green clean energy development, and navigating New York State state regulations.
Panelists:
Alfred Griffin, the President of NY Green Bank,
Matthew Ketschke, Senior Vice President, Con Edison,
Sarah Salati, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer, NYPA and
Shihab Kuran, Co-founder and CEO, Power Edison
Moderated by Jonathan Crawford, Head of Research at Enerknol
The event began with opening keynotes from senator Joseph Addabbo and Mark Chambers, director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability.
Senator Addabbo discussed recent legislative achievements in New York State and the energy goals set for 2040. Mark Chambers spoke to the city’s achievements in meeting NY REV and the collaborative effort by various city agencies.
Moderator Jonathan Crawford introduced the panel stating that we are living in an era of massive regulatory reforms underway, reshaping the energy sector transition and development.
Alfred Griffin, the President of the Green Bank, which has state sponsor funds, stated that his bank is looking for new innovative business models in which the “numbers make sense” to set the stage for private financial institutions to step in and invest in the industry.
Senior Vice president of ConEd, Matthew Ketschke, outlined the challenges utility company is facing, he questioned, “Changing the role of ConEd – how [can] we integrate green energy for future energy needs? How do we facilitate the orderly transition?” Ketschke echoed what power and utility companies face in the new era of the industry. He stated that, in order to face the challenges ConEd has initiated the massive upgrade to its network.
Sarah Salati, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer at NYPA stated that her organization’s mission as a NY State public entity is to focus on improving access to renewables and make sure renewable energy goals and objectives are met. NYPA mission, “Power the economic growth and competitiveness of New York State by providing customers with low-cost, clean, reliable power and the innovative energy infrastructure and services they value.” She echoed NYPA’s mission by stating NYPA’s work in concert with private sector works to achieve NY’s goals for renewable energy expansion.
Shihab Kuran, Co-founder and CEO, Power Edison (which is a mobile power storage system) explained how his company in the private sector is enabling access to energy storage. He further explained that the NYS ambition to expand renewable energy storage for 3 GW and for NJ state 2 GW by year 2030 certainly would give opportunity to innovative energy storage companies like his company to contribute to Energy Storage sector.
Summary:
New York Energy Week was started on June 24, 2019 with its own glamor. Instead of fireworks, the event was filled with energy of vibrant enthusiasts of the energy sector. Panel discussion was the highlight of the day. If you are interested in startup a business in NY, this panel discussion provided many accessible resources in NYS while sharing their expert knowledge on Energy sector.
Acknowledgement: NYEW: Rona Banai and the NYEW Team, EnerKnol
