Press Releases
ConsumerPowerline Leads Effort to Protect City's Energy Grid by Partnering with Companies to Implement Innovative Energy Reduction StrategiesCorporate Citizenship is Key To Protecting Power Grid From Blackouts As Summer Heat Looms
NEW YORK, April 23, 2007 - Energy is the lifeblood of New York City, and over the past few summers, there have been major power outages that, in the broiling heat, have stopped the city cold-leaving it powerless to prevent power failures. But today, ConsumerPowerline (CPLN), a full-service strategic energy asset management firm, announced that, thanks to enhanced corporate participation, it is far ahead of its stated mandate to help protect Gotham's power grid and promote a more sustainable, reliable system for the city.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) contracted with ConsumerPowerline (CPLN) to achieve large-scale peak electric load reduction. The contract was awarded as a result of a competitive multi-million dollar New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) solicitation.
In October of 2006, NYSERDA awarded ConsumerPowerline incentives in the "Aggregated Load Reduction Program" under the "Power Saving Partners" initiative. This initiative provides funds to help manage and reduce energy usage, especially during peak periods. CPLN received the go-ahead to use the multi-million three-year peak electric load reduction contract to enhance the reliability of the Big Apple's power grid in times of stress, by working with the city's commercial, industrial and residential buildings to undergo energy efficiency upgrades that reduce peak electric load.
The contract with NYSERDA commits ConsumerPowerline to develop and implement 14 megawatts (MW) of new electric load reductions, specifically in areas served by Consolidated Edison (Con-Ed) -- that's enough capacity to keep the lights on in 14,000 homes. In the last three months and well ahead of schedule, the energy firm has garnered commitments for peak load reductions from major area healthcare facilities, multi-family housing and large commercial real estate management firms, to the tune of 3.2MW. ConsumerPowerline is continuing to develop projects around New York City to meet its 14MW goal.
"Our clients realize that unless they step up and make a commitment to be part of the solution to our pressing energy needs, the city may well not have enough power to run everyone's lights, elevators and air conditioners, as the last couple of summers have dramatically brought home," said Mike Gordon, founder and president of ConsumerPowerline. "Each of these forward looking companies is, in its own way, helping to avoid the kinds of disabling blackouts that the people of Queens suffered through last summer. We know from experience that by undertaking some relatively painless energy upgrades, which provide long-term savings and enhance operating efficiency, companies can make a huge difference in the life of the city so the rest of us won't have to sweat out the summer, wondering when the lights might go out."
Case in point: NYU Medical Center recently signed on for a new, environmentally friendly generator upload project that will create an additional 1,973 kilowatt (kW) of electricity capacity. This added "juice to the tank" will directly enhance the electricity grid's capacity to respond when demand soars and the threat of a power outage looms, notably in the hot summer months.
"NYU Medical Center is committed to being a smart steward of energy, and a forward looking corporate citizen in New York City," said Richard Cohen, Vice President, Facilities Management of NYU Medical Center. "The generator upload project we're undertaking with ConsumerPowerline gives us the opportunity to participate in the kind of socially and economically wise energy management that the firm has pioneered. NYU is often viewed as a trailblazer and innovator itself. Through our work with CPLN, we are proud to do our part---not only to help keep the lights burning this summer, but also, we modestly hope, to set an example of 'best practices' for other medical institutions and academic centers in the region."
By using a range of peak load reduction projects, facilities are compensated on dollar per kW basis, earning up to $735 per kW of capacity that their initiatives create. Among the proven energy efficiency projects that companies that work with ConsumerPowerline have committed for are:
- Curtailment and Load Shifting for Demand Response: Facilities curtail load to respond to grid emergencies through manual operations or by adding automation algorithms and new remote control features to building management systems.
- Distributed Generation for Demand Response: Facilities activate new or existing generators during grid emergencies, increasing overall grid capacity. The incentive also pays for adding automation to enhance reliability, adding additional electric load and emissions controls.
- Cogeneration: Facilities install cogeneration systems that permanently reduce summer peak electric demand
- Permanent Efficiency: Facilities undertake energy efficiency upgrade projects that permanently reduce their electricity consumption
For more than five years, ConsumerPowerline has worked with large-scale energy users in the New York City metropolitan area to increase energy efficiency and turn existing energy assets into recurring sources of revenue. As a result of its work over the years with large building owners and management companies, ConsumerPowerline has helped New York City avoid significant energy disruptions. By marshalling the energy of its clients, ConsumerPowerline helps New York City fend off blackouts, brownouts and voltage reductions.
Recently, ConsumerPowerline announced the formation of the New York Coalition for Power Reliability (CPR) that would heed the Mayor's call to organize a concerted expansion of critical electric supply reliability programs.
For general information about energy efficiency projects under the "Aggregated Load Reduction Program," contact Mike Goodman, CPLN , at 212-796-7124 or mgoodman@consumerpowerline.com. For technical or engineering questions, contact Murtaza Kapadia, CPLN, at 212-796-7109 or mkapadia@consumerpowerline.com
About ConsumerPowerline
ConsumerPowerline (www.consumerpowerline
ConsumerPowerline was recently selected for the Inc 500 list for 2006, Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 Award, as well as being the recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Emerging Business. ConsumerPowerline's client list features notable public and private firms including: CB Richard Ellis, Morgan Stanley, Macy's, Starwood Hotels, Hines Property Management, Forest City Ratner Corporation, Co-op City, Macklowe Properties, RFR Realty, NYU Medical Center, Newmark Properties, Douglas Elliman Property Management, Cooper Square Realty, Wentworth Management and dozens of other substantial end-users of energy.
About NYSERDA
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 by the New York State Legislature. NYSERDA administers the New York Energy $martSM program, which is designed to support certain public benefit programs that provide energy efficiency services, including those directed at the low-income sector, research and development, and environmental protection activities.
Power Savings Partners is a collaborative effort between NYSERDA and Con Edison to provide additional funds for load management, energy efficiency, and distributed generation programs to help manage and reduce energy usage especially during peak periods, and at other times. Programs through the Power Savings Partner collaboration are available to Con Edison electric distribution customers that pay the SBC and/or the Monthly Adjustment Clause (MAC). The Collaboration builds upon and includes the New York Energy $martSM programs which are aimed at lowering electricity costs across the State through a number of energy efficiency and demand reduction programs.
PR Contact:
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