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Cuomo announces state's first energy management network operations center

by jmaloni

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Tue, Oct 21st 2014 04:25 pm

Designed to improve energy efficiency in public facilities

New energy-monitoring hub to reduce energy use and costs, create jobs

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced today the launch of the state's first energy management network operations center, which will provide public facilities across New York with real-time data on their energy use, allowing them to improve building energy performance and lower the state's utility bills.

Dubbed the NY Energy Manager, or NYEM, the center is located at the Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany.

NYEM was developed and is being deployed and managed by the New York Power Authority to provide up-to-the-moment energy use information and trending in state government facilities and other entities such as the City University of New York. The center will accelerate efforts to continuously improve energy management and operations of state facilities, thereby driving down operating expenses and saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over the coming years. Additionally, the center will further empower the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs in the emerging green economy.

"The NY Energy Manager leverages the very best in smart technology to help the state save millions of dollars a year on energy costs," Cuomo said. "This facility serves as a statewide energy-monitoring hub that will allow us to lower utility expenses, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and continue fostering a robust clean energy economy. I am pleased to see this partnership between NYPA and the Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at SUNY Polytechnic Institute officially opened, because it is another integral part of our approach to creating a cleaner, greener state for all New Yorkers."

NYEM provides secure, comprehensive energy management reporting for more than 3,000 public buildings, accounting for hundreds of millions of square feet of space, with the potential to expand to all public facilities and other NYPA customers.

NYEM integrates energy data from facility sub-meters and from meters of local utilities, enabling building engineers to rapidly diagnose equipment problems and take appropriate actions to reduce energy consumption in a timely manner. With "Big Data" analytics provided by NYEM, government building operators will be better informed when planning for future energy use needs. NYEM energy experts will also provide technical expertise and ongoing training to participating organizations for managing their facilities.

The tools provided by NYEM will allow energy managers to implement innovative, energy use strategies that will assist in driving down the cost of energy in state buildings, saving taxpayers millions of dollars annually. Integrated energy management, resulting from NYEM, also will enable facilities to participate in statewide electric energy demand management and response programs. These programs provide financial incentives to entities when they voluntarily reduce energy consumption during periods of high electric usage or emergencies.

It is anticipated NYEM technology will be applicable for use in the private sector in the future. As NYEM continues to grow, its location at CNSE, home to the Incubators for Collaborating & Leveraging Energy and Nanotechnology (iCLEAN), will help accelerate the transfer of NYEM technology for entrepreneurial and commercial-based opportunities.

NYEM is one of several initiatives that support Cuomo's "BuildSmart NY" program, a comprehensive plan to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent in state government facilities by 2020. NYPA has been designated to coordinate these efforts under BuildSmart NY.

Energy and Finance Chairman for New York Richard Kauffman said, "Across New York state, buildings are directly responsible for a significant amount of our inefficient use of energy. With this pioneering management tool, New York becomes a leader in the development of new technologies aimed to promote better energy efficiency, economic development and ensure cost-savings. By demonstrating good, cost-effective energy management and practices in the public sector, we hope others will soon follow in adopting similar tools and practices."

NYPA President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones said, "New York state fully recognizes that the electric power industry is undergoing a sea change largely driven by unprecedented advances in technology. NYEM will be a fundamental building block in this transformation. With robust energy solutions and the expertise of New York's science and engineering communities, New York will continue to lead the nation in energy innovation."

CNSE is one of the nation's showcase energy-efficient campuses. Its central location, fully redundant utilities, and the ability for NYEM engineers to consult and collaborate with CNSE scientists conducting groundbreaking energy research, were among the many factors in the site selection process for the energy management center. In addition, CNSE's partnership with the state to consolidate and house almost 50 state datacenters is fully aligned with the needs and goals of NYEM.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute CEO Dr. Alain Kaloyeros said, "Gov. Andrew Cuomo has created the innovation capital of the world right here in New York state, and through CNSE's partnership with NYPA, we will further advance the governor's vision to be the leader in developing next-generation energy technologies.

"As energy demands continue to grow, we must make a significant commitment to increasing efficiencies. This partnership will deliver game-changing advances in energy management, and we welcome NYPA and its NYEM team to the world-class Albany NanoTech complex."

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO John B. Rhodes said, "The state's building stock offers a great opportunity to see real reductions in energy consumption and provide the state with considerable cost savings. NYEM is a great example of the innovative clean energy technology New York state, under Gov. Cuomo, is utilizing to manage power usage, protect the environment and create jobs."

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, said, "NY Energy Manager will build upon the positive momentum of BuildSmart NY, which has already led to significant energy savings and improved efficiency at public facilities across the state. SUNY is proud to host this data-driven solution in continued partnership with Gov. Cuomo and the New York Power Authority to collectively reduce New York's carbon footprint."

 

 

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