Ithaca, NY – NYSEG, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, and Taitem Engineering of Ithaca are collaborating to develop details for a Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) demonstration project that will explore how the involvement and support of NYSEG can help communities meet their energy goals.
The project, based in Tompkins County, seeks to leverage the value of NYSEG’s involvement in the planning and promotion of distributed energy resources such as solar installations as well as energy efficiency projects.
AVANGRID, through its New York utilities NYSEG and RG&E, is a strong supporter of the REV initiative. This project is one of several NYSEG REV demonstration projects in the development or implementation phase.
One area of focus for this project is to use NYSEG’s communications channels to help customers understand their options for clean energy resources, such as solar installations, and to then connect interested customers with service providers. A possible outcome is for NYSEG to promote standardized solar packages with the intent of lowering the cost and complexity of installation for homeowners. Helping to develop community solar arrays is another possibility to service the needs of renters, low and moderate income families, and others.
“This project is all about creating value for our customers,” said Mark S. Lynch, president and CEO of NYSEG and RG&E. “We want to make sure that customers who might not be aware of their clean energy options are fully aware of the benefits. We also think that we can help reduce the overall cost of projects and increase customer adoption. This creates a win for customers, a win for distributed energy companies, such as solar installers, and a win for communities that are trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
“This is a historic moment for the development of clean distributed energy resources,” said Lou Vogel, president of Taitem Engineering. “Across the U.S., solar developers and utilities often don’t see eye to eye. With this project we are seeking to identify how we can create shared value. This is a leap toward renewable energy becoming mainstream in New York, something that everyone can invest in comfortably.”
NYSEG and Taitem expect to have product offerings developed by mid-2016.
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AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE:AGR) is a diversified energy and utility company with $30 billion in assets and operations in 25 states. The company operates regulated utilities, electricity generation, and natural gas storage through three primary lines of business. Iberdrola USA Networks includes eight electric and natural gas utilities serving 3.1 million customers in New York and New England. Iberdrola Renewables operates 6.3 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, in states across the U.S. Iberdrola Energy Holdings operates 120 Bcf of owned or contracted natural gas storage and hub service facilities in the South and West. AVANGRID employs 7,000 people. The company was formed as a business combination between Iberdrola USA and UIL Holdings in 2015. AVANGRID remains an affiliate of the Iberdrola Group, a worldwide leader in the energy industry.
About NYSEG and RG&E: NYSEG and RG&E are subsidiaries of AVANGRID. NYSEG serves 883,000 electricity customers and 264,000 natural gas customers across more than 40% of upstate New York. RG&E serves 371,000 electricity customers and 307,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region centered on the City of Rochester. For more information, visit www.nyseg.com and www.rge.com.
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Media Contact:
Clayton Ellis
cmellis@nyseg.com
607.762.7336
About Taitem Engineering: Taitem Engineering, PC is a full-service consulting engineering firm at the forefront of innovative, sustainable design and building science. Taitem specializes in engineering design for green buildings, commissioning, LEED consulting, energy research, and energy studies. The company provides solar design and installation services, as well as advanced duct sealing services for residential and commercial buildings. “Taitem” stands for “technology as if the earth mattered” reflecting its commitment to the environment. Learn more about Taitem’s wide range of building design experience and view recent projects at www.taitem.com or visit the firm’s LEED Platinum certified headquarters in Ithaca.
Media Contact:
Theresa Ryan
tryan@taitem.com
607.277.1118 x129