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Governor Cuomo Announces $1.8 Billion Award to Build 676 New LIRR and Metro-North Rail Cars

September 18, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Trains

New M9 Rail Cars Are Expected to be Assembled in Yonkers, Employing 1,500 People in New York State

Renderings of Future M9 LIRR and Metro-North Rail Cars Image courtesy of New York MTA

Renderings of Future M9 LIRR and Metro-North Rail Cars
Image courtesy of New York MTA

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has approved a contract with Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. for up to $1.83 billion to design and build the next generation of rail cars for the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad. The MTA expects up to 676 cars will be assembled at Kawasaki’s plant in Yonkers and anticipates up to 1,500 people will be employed in New York State.

“We have been constantly working to improve the state’s infrastructure and transit systems to better serve New Yorkers,” said Governor Cuomo. “This contract will not only make the Metro-North and LIRR more efficient and resilient, but the additional cars will be assembled right here in New York, helping create jobs and grow the regional economy. I thank Kawasaki Rail Car for their partnership and look forward to seeing further upgrades to our mass transit system.”

The cars will be used to replace 1980s-era M3 railcars that serve the LIRR’s eight electric branches and Metro-North’s Harlem and Hudson Lines and to expand fleet capacity for both railroads to allow for ridership growth. A portion of this contract and related development costs are funded with $355.5 million from the MTA’s 2010-2014 Capital Plan. The initial contract will provide 92 cars to the LIRR. If funding is available in the forthcoming 2015-2019 MTA Capital Plan and the railroads choose to exercise future options, Kawasaki will manufacture up to 304 additional cars for the LIRR and up to 280 cars for Metro-North.

The cars will incorporate the most successful and popular features of the railroads’ two recent electric car classes, the M7s that serve the LIRR and Metro-North’s Harlem and Hudson Lines, and the M8s serving Metro-North’s New Haven Line. The cars will have larger windows than the M3 cars they are replacing, automated public address announcements in car interiors and exteriors, and single leaf doors for improved reliability. They will also continue the M7/M8 configuration for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that has proven to be more resilient in extreme weather and more effective at providing customer comfort in all types of weather conditions.

“I am happy to congratulate Kawasaki Rail Car on winning the M-9 contract,” said Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “I have had the privilege of working with Kawasaki since they moved to Yonkers. Their presence supports the regional economy and sustains hundreds of jobs in the City’s downtown. These are some of the reasons why I am proud to support them and look forward to many more years of partnership.”

Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow said, “This contract is good news for our state. With its highly reputable track record as the MTA’a leading and trusted supplier of new subway cars, riders who rely on Metro-North (and the LIRR) can be assured that the safety, reliability and efficiency of the M9 rail cars will enhance their daily commute. I am thrilled that Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. will continue to serve the constituents of Westchester County, New York City and Long Island.”

“While we spend a lot of time and energy modernizing our railroads’ aging infrastructure, few improvements are more visible and more welcomed by customers than updating our trains,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast. “Our last major joint railroad car procurement produced highly dependable trains that have helped improve our On Time Performance and are providing years of reliable and safe transportation. We anticipate that this latest update to our fleet will produce the same positive results.”

As with the railroads’ previous electric car classes, the majority of cars under this contract will be manufactured as “married pairs” comprised of two nearly identical cars permanently coupled together and sharing a restroom, cabs for engineer or conductor, and electrical systems. Each pair is designed to seat 221 passengers, eight more than the M7 pairs.

The MTA benefited from robust competition for this contract. The MTA, with the LIRR acting as the lead agency, initially advertised a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the cars in June 2012. Twelve carbuilders received initial RFP packages from the MTA containing technical details of the cars. After initial consultations, the MTA determined that six of them were qualified to submit initial price and technical proposals, and three ultimately did so. Best and final offers from each of the responding carbuilders were received in August 2013.

The proposals for the contract were evaluated on a host of financial and technical criteria, including price, percentage of New York State content going into the cars, and the percentage of U.S. domestically produced steel used in the cars. The winning proposer, Kawasaki, provided the most attractive pricing.

The M3 cars (being replaced by the M9 cars) entered service between 1984 and 1986. Upon their retirement, they will have served the region for more than 30 years.

This article is a repost, credit: New York MTA.

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Governor Cuomo Announces Charge NY Program to Accelerate use and Benefits of Electric Vehicles in New York

September 7, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV Campaigns, EV News

Nissan LEAF NYC Taxi Photo courtesy of Nissan

Nissan LEAF NYC Taxi
Photo courtesy of Nissan

$2 Million in Funding for Universities, Research Centers and Businesses Pursuing Innovative Technologies Related to Plug-In Electric Cars and Trucks, Albany, NY (September 6, 2013)

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new program under Charge NY to accelerate the market adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and to make EV infrastructure easier to use and more economically viable in New York State. The Electric Vehicle-Enabling Technology Demonstration Program offers a total of $2 million to help fund research and demonstration projects related to electric vehicles.

“Under Charge NY, New York State is making significant investments to improve the development and use of electric vehicles and the necessary technology and infrastructure,” Governor Cuomo said. “This program will focus on furthering research and innovation related to EVs, so that we can make these vehicles more affordable for New Yorkers, promote a cleaner transportation source, and make our infrastructure more efficient, while also creating jobs in the clean energy industry. As we move towards our goal of establishing a statewide network of up to 3,000 EV charging stations over the next five years, we are ensuring that New York State is prepared to welcome the next generation of environmentally-friendly vehicles on our roads.”

The new demonstration program seeks applications from entities such as universities, research centers, and technology-based businesses and manufacturers conducting research in and development of EV technology. The program is funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

The program seeks to advance technologies, strategies, business models, behavioral approaches and policy ideas that support the expansion of the EV market and EV industry in New York State. NYSERDA is interested in projects that will study and/or demonstrate existing technologies, or combinations of technologies, and strategies that have not been applied to the market or have not been demonstrated in New York.

Examples of relevant projects include demonstrating EV charging stations sited alongside battery energy storage that reduce the electric grid demands from charging, and feasibility studies of new electric rate structures or other utility incentives to help reduce the cost of EV ownership.

Areas of particular interest are technologies and strategies that can integrate EVs into the electric grid, enable long-distance EV travel, and ease financial and regulatory obstacles to EV adoption. Proposals should focus on research, results or strategies that can be transferred and implemented throughout the state in the near term to advance EV acceptance.

Today, there are approximately 640 public EV charging stations in New York State, with more than 5,000 electric vehicles operating across the state. Most are privately-owned, personal vehicles.

The Governor’s Charge NY initiative aims to create a statewide network of up to 3,000 public and workplace charging stations over the next five years to accommodate an anticipated 40,000 plug-in vehicles on the road. The initiative is being spearheaded by NYSERDA and the New York Power Authority.

NYSERDA has funded 600 charging stations in the past year, including through the Charge NY program. NYSERDA also recently launched the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program, which helps offset the extra cost of purchasing electric trucks and other alternative fuel and emission reduction technologies, when compared to the cost of diesel or gas trucks.

Proposals for the Electric Vehicle-Enabling Technology Demonstration Program are due October 22. For more information on the Electric Vehicle-Enabling Technology Demonstration Program, visit http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/PON2755.

This article is a repost, credit: State of New York, http://www.governor.ny.gov/.

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Urban Electric Power, NYSERDA, CUNY Announce Grand Opening of New West Harlem Rechargeable Battery Manufacturing Plant

August 25, 2013 in Battery Energy Storage, Electric Vehicles, EV News, Greentech, Large Energy Storage

NYC Regional Council Project to Create Jobs with Production of Highly Efficient, Low-Cost Batteries

Image courtesy of Urban Electric Power

Image courtesy of Urban Electric Power

Urban Electric Power (UEP), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the City University of New York (CUNY) announced today (8-6-13) the grand opening of a new energy storage research and manufacturing facility in West Harlem for advanced zinc anode rechargeable battery systems. The project is part of the Manhattanville Factory District redevelopment effort and is expected to create 64 new jobs.

Through Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative (REDC), the New York City REDC awarded UEP more than $1.5 million in economic development resources, including $1 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for the project. Empire State Development’s (ESD) Excelsior Jobs Program is providing $522,000 in performance-based tax credits. The Excelsior tax credits are based on UEP’s investment and its commitment to create 64 new full-time jobs by 2017 in manufacturing, sales/marketing, operations, software development, engineering, and research and development.

The $6.1 million, 5,000-square-foot facility will provide research and development capabilities as well as testing and assembly of low-cost, lead-free zinc anode rechargeable batteries and battery systems. UEP has an exclusive license to this battery technology, which was developed at the CUNY Energy Institute.

The new facility will enable UEP to rapidly commercialize its products, which can be used to increase gas mileage in automobiles, reduce electric grid strain during peak usage, integrate electricity from renewable energy sources into the grid, and provide emergency power during outages.

“Energy innovation plays a critical role in the state’s economic development. Urban Electric Power’s facility is another important step in advancing the state’s energy storage industry and building resilience into its energy system infrastructure,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO, NYSERDA. “Through the commitment of private sector partners, academia and government, along with Governor Cuomo’s support, today’s grand opening demonstrates that we are establishing a cleaner, more energy-efficient energy sector that is creating jobs.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, “Advancing the clean energy industry is critical to our economic and energy future. Today’s opening of Urban Electric Power’s facility will help establish Harlem’s place in the innovation economy. Governor Cuomo and the New York City Regional Economic Development Council recognize the importance of bringing jobs and economic drivers to urban centers, and under the governor’s leadership we have seen extensive progress in the building of clean energy facilities across the state. Today’s grand opening proves what can be accomplished through public-private partnerships when business, government and academia work together in collaboration to ensure a sustainable economic future for our communities, city and state.”

Matthew Goldstein, Chair, NYCREDC and Chancellor Emeritus of the City University of New York said, “UEP’s energy storage solutions hold the promise for substantial economic development and job creation for the region. Building upon New York’s burgeoning energy technology industry, this project can serve as an effective model of innovation and sustainability and will be instrumental to the future of the state’s rapidly growing, clean-energy economy.”

“Urban Electric Power is lucky to call New York home. We have received generous and essential support from all across the state, especially the Regional Economic Development Council, NYSERDA, and NYPA,” said Eric McFarland, Chief Executive Officer of Urban Electric Power. “Our new pilot testing and manufacturing facility will allow us to quickly ramp up production to meet initial customer orders, while we look to grow through additional strategic partners and licensees to accelerate the wider marketing and sales of our batteries.”

UEP’s battery technologies have been optimized for multiple markets. The company intends to replace automotive lead acid batteries used for starting, lighting and ignition in traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. UEP is also developing batteries that can accommodate the regenerative braking and on-demand charging used in fuel-efficient micro-hybrid vehicles that can improve gas mileage by more than 10 percent and reduce air pollution in high-traffic areas.

In larger stationary applications, UEP batteries distribute electricity more efficiently, reducing costs for New York ratepayers. The batteries can be charged during off-peak hours when generation costs are low and used to supply energy during the day when costs are higher. UEP’s batteries can also be used to integrate electricity produced by renewable sources, such as solar and wind power, making it possible to use clean energy when and where it is needed.

As an electrode material, high energy density zinc is safe, reliable and 100 percent recyclable. In 2008, the CUNY Energy Institute at the City College of New York began researching ways to extend the lifetime of zinc anode batteries. The advancements developed at the CUNY Energy Institute resulted in zinc anode batteries that can recharge for ten times as many cycles as previous generations, making them more practical and cost-effective. UEP is rapidly moving their commercial prototypes to market with strategic partners.

“Over the past five years, New York State has supported the development of this transformational technology at every step, as our small experimental laboratory cells grew to 100 kilowatt-scale battery systems that will improve grid congestion and lower energy costs for all New Yorkers,” said Sanjoy Banerjee, Executive Director of the CUNY Energy Institute and Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at City College. “Moving forward, the CUNY Energy Institute will continue to drive growth through innovation and technology transfer. While Urban Electric Power may be the first company to spin out of the CUNY Energy Institute, it will not be the last.”

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) supported the scale-up and grid interconnection of Urban Electric Power’s battery technology at the CUNY Energy Institute of the City College of New York. NYPA managed the design, procurement and installation of the initial battery demonstration system, and obtained final approval from Consolidated Edison Company of New York for connection to the city’s electrical grid. “We are pleased to have played a role in the progression of this important energy management project and congratulate Urban Electric Power on the opening of its new energy storage research and manufacturing facility,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “There is a tremendous opportunity for efficient, low-cost batteries to lead to job growth throughout the state while supporting the Governor’s energy goals. Energy storage technologies like this one are a prime example of how we can move New York toward a sustainable energy future.”

The new facility is located in the three-acre Manhattanville Factory District currently under construction by The Janus Property Company in West Harlem. The Factory District’s abandoned industrial buildings had been vacant and deteriorated until Janus, with the support of New York State and the West Harlem community, began a multi-phase master-planned, mixed-use redevelopment that is creating a vibrant and growing home for technology, new media, arts and culture, retail, education, not-for-profit and other commercial enterprises.

“New York State and Urban Electric Power have been terrific partners in our ongoing effort to revitalize this important West Harlem neighborhood. We are extremely excited to work with creative companies like UEP that are producing the new jobs that will drive the economy of Harlem, New York City and New York State,” said Scott Metzner, Principal of The Janus Property Company. “The extraordinary growth of West Harlem into the most important education- and arts-driven district in New York is stunning. We are proud to be a part of this forward-looking community, and of the important contributions that we, UEP and New York State are making to its resurgence.”

The Regional Economic Development Council initiative (REDC) is a key component of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s transformative approach to State investment and economic development. The Councils are public-private partnerships composed of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. As a result of the first two rounds of awards, $1.5 billion in investments has been awarded to support more than 1,400 regionally significant economic development and community revitalization projects that are creating or helping to retain an estimated 75,000 jobs across the Empire State and generating investments to grow the economy. For more information on the regional councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

This article is a repost (press release 8-6-13), credit: http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/.

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Governor Cuomo Calls for Regulatory Reform to Expand the Number of Statewide Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

May 24, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV Campaigns, EV charging, EV News

Directs Top to Bottom Review of Regulations to Increase Electric Vehicle Usage in NY to 40,000 by 2018.

Albany, NY – May 24, 2013 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a top-to-bottom review of the State’s electric regulations and policies to support the expansion of New York’s market for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. This immediate review and the removal of regulatory barriers supports the Governor’s Charge NY initiative to create a statewide network of up to 3,000 public and workplace charging stations over the next five years and to put up to 40,000 plug-in vehicles on the road by 2018 and one million in 2025.

“Removing regulatory barriers will encourage New Yorkers to use fuel-efficient vehicles, as well as grow the clean energy industry and create jobs in the State,” said Governor Cuomo. “New York is leading the way toward an electric vehicle future, and moving our green energy economy forward.”

Governor Cuomo directed the Public Service Commission (PSC) to review existing policies to ensure that regulations promote the evolution of the electric vehicle market in New York. The initial focus of the review will focus on PSC jurisdiction over public charging stations. In coming months, the review will expand to look at policies regarding metering and rates and whether modifications are needed to the electric grid to support electric vehicles. It will also examine the extent the State’s solar policies, under the NY Sun Initiative, can be utilized to offset potential increases in peak demand that may result from expanded use of electric vehicle charging equipment.

As electric vehicles gain acceptance, thousands of public charging stations will need to be installed in garages, parking lots, or next to parking spaces along public streets. The availability of public charging stations at numerous locations will allow customers to charge vehicles while parked overnight, at work, conducting errands, or at shopping, eating and entertainment venues.

To support the continued expansion of the electric car market throughout the state, the PSC initial review will focus on whether the electric regulatory body needs to assert jurisdiction over public charging stations as a way to increase the availability of charging stations, or whether it should allow the rollout of charging stations to occur at its own pace.

The areas addressed initially and in coming months include:

  • Determining PSC jurisdiction over charging stations;
  • Addressing utilities as owners or operators of charging stations;
  • Examining the impact of electric vehicle charging on electric infrastructure;
  • Considering utility metering and rate issues; and
  • Identifying consumer issues.

Through his Charge NY program, the Governor has proposed investing $50 million over the next five years to stimulate demand for electric vehicles and investments in infrastructure, including funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York Power Authority and tax credits.

This article is a repost, credit: Governor’s Press Office, NYC Press Office, https://www.governor.ny.gov/newsroom/newsroom.

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ChargePoint, National Grid, and NYSERDA Launch Electric Vehicle Charging Station Project in Upstate New York

May 22, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV charging, EV News

Homewood Suites in Colonie is One of First Upstate Sites Funded Through $1 Million Public/Private Partnership

Photo courtesy of ChargePoint

Photo courtesy of ChargePoint

Albany, NY – May 22, 2013-ChargePoint and National Grid today unveiled the first of what will be many electric vehicle charging stations funded through a $1 million award from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

The ChargePoint EV charging station, which can charge two cars at once, has been installed at the Homewood Suites on Wolf Road in Colonie. It was unveiled today at a ceremony featuring Pat Romano, president and CEO, ChargePoint; Bill Flaherty, regional executive, National Grid; Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO, NYSERDA; and Brian Straughter, vice president, Turf Hotels.

This public/private partnership, which supports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Charge NY program, will provide more than 80 EV charging stations throughout New York State, of which 67 will be located in National Grid’s service area in upstate New York. ChargePoint and National Grid will be providing an additional $550,000 for the cost of this program.

New York has one of the highest growth rates of electric vehicles in the country. With nearly 4,000 vehicles registered today, according to New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the number of EVs in the state has tripled in the past year.

“New York is laying the foundation to be the largest EV market for electric vehicles on the East Coast,” said Pat Romano, president and CEO of ChargePoint. “We are proud to be working closely with National Grid, the only East Coast investor-owned utility that has made this kind of commitment to EV infrastructure in the United States. NYSERDA continues to support Governor Cuomo’s visionary plan to ‘Charge NY,’ which calls for ramping up investment in EV charging stations around the state.”

“The collaboration among NYSERDA, ChargePoint, and National Grid is a model of a public-private partnership working for New York State and the environment,” said Bill Flaherty, regional executive of National Grid’s Eastern New York division.  “Plug-in electric vehicles are more than just a new way to get around. They’re a major part of a cleaner, more efficient transportation future. At National Grid, we’re committed to making this new technology more viable and cost-effective for ourselves and our customers, and pleased to help make it happen in Eastern New York and across New York State.”

“Governor Cuomo’s ‘Charge NY’ program is developing an EV charging infrastructure across the state that will encourage and accommodate consumers in the purchase of electric vehicles,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO, NYSERDA. “The investment being made through this public-private partnership will not only lead to a reduction in emissions from the transportation sector but will help stimulate economic activity.”

Earlier this year, Governor Cuomo announced Charge NY, a new initiative to promote EVs through investing $50 million over five years. The program calls for installing 3,000 public and workplace charging stations by 2018, plus other steps meant to encourage the growth of electric vehicle ownership.

The state expects the number of EVs in the state to increase to as many as 40,000 by 2018, and a million by 2025.

NATIONAL GRID

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society – to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it ‘joins everything up’.

In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country.

National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), and owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation, providing power to over one million LIPA customers. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com.

Follow us on Twitter, Watch us on You Tube, Friend us on Facebook, Find our photos on Flickr.

About NYSERDA     

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.  NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.

About ChargePoint,  Inc.

ChargePoint  is the largest online network of independently owned EV charging stations  operating in 14 countries. ChargePoint provides everything an EV station owner  needs to deliver turnkey electric vehicle charging services in their parking  lots. For drivers, ChargePoint provides state-of-the-art features including the  ability to locate, reserve and navigate to unoccupied charging stations with  online tools and mobile applications. ChargePoint locations may be found online  and are included on the free ChargePoint mobile applications for Android and iPhone mobile  digital devices. The ChargePoint network is open to all charging station  manufacturers. Visit www.chargepoint.com for more  information. Follow ChargePoint on Twitter @chargepointnet.

This article is a repost, credit: ChargePoint, http://www.chargepoint.com/pr/news-press-releases-2013-0522.php.