New York State Launches REV Connect Portal to Support Creation of Innovative Utility Business Models

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New website supports collaboration and development of innovative energy projects between technology providers and utilities, benefiting consumers.

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New York, NY - August 10, 2017 - The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today launched the REV Connect digital portal https://nyrevconnect.com to help provide businesses and electric utilities new opportunities to partner and create business models and deploy advanced energy technologies in New York State. REV Connect helps advance Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) plan to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.
 
REV Connect provides a central location where third parties can learn about the opportunities created by New York’s nation-leading efforts to change the way energy is created, consumed and delivered. Businesses can submit responsive ideas for feedback and technical support, and be potentially matched with New York State investor-owned utilities to pursue innovative partnerships. These new business partnerships are intended to be self-sustaining initiatives that will activate markets and become part of the emerging clean and resilient energy system with the goal to lower costs and give customers greater choices.
 
New York State Chairman of Energy and Finance Richard L. Kauffman said, “REV Connect is another innovative building block created to support Governor Cuomo’s ambitious energy agenda and create a clean energy economy. REV Connect will help third parties and utilities navigate the new energy landscape in New York to catalyze innovation, support new utility business and revenue models and advance the state’s leadership in modernizing its energy system and addressing climate change affordably and smartly.”  
 
REV Connect will help build on recent developments that have shown the promise that innovative business structures can bring through:
 
  • A growing list of REV demonstration projects;
  • Non-wires alternatives, such as Consolidated Edison’s Brooklyn-Queens Demand Management project, that avoid costly construction of new grid assets in favor of customer-sited clean energy solutions;
  • NY Prize community microgrid projects; and
  • Distributed System Implementation Plans (DSIPs) developed by utilities to present their five-year plans to modernize grid operations, system planning, and markets, with the integration of distributed energy resources.
President and CEO of NYSERDA Alicia Barton said, “Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York State is at the forefront of developing innovative utility business solutions. REV Connect is a catalyst to help enable energy market participants to develop, improve and roll out cutting-edge solutions, find project partners and learn from each other’s experiences for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”
 
At this time, 19 REV demonstration projects across the state are underway. These projects focus on testing new business models that also provide more value to customers as utilities and private companies develop projects to explore the most effective ways to use distributed energy resources such as energy storage, rooftop solar, and microgrids. Details on the project filings and implementation plans can be found here.
 
Chair of the New York Public Service Commission John Rhodes said, “Under Governor Cuomo’s energy policies, New York is emerging as the leading market for innovative energy solutions and for cutting-edge energy technologies.  REV Connect will accelerate the ability of innovators, utilities, and customer to bring this innovation to market.”
 
The portal will also provide technology companies the ability to scan the marketplace for opportunities with New York’s utilities and to gain deeper expertise in REV. Utilities will be able to cast the widest net possible to access the best solutions.
 
Navigant Consulting, Inc. was competitively selected by NYSERDA to develop the REV Connect portal and other tools for market engagement, in partnership with the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY-BEST) Consortium and Modern Grid Partners.   In addition to developing the portal, the REV Connect team will:
 
  • Identify business needs and opportunities across New York electric utilities and invite innovative solutions and partnerships;
  • Assist companies and utilities turn their new ideas into business plans and projects;
  • Provide multi-faceted engagement opportunities to energy market participants and utilities – from daily availability to structured events aimed at fostering idea creation; and
  • Foster a culture of innovation and a wider industry dialog at the REV Connect ’17 innovation summit, October 17, 2017 in New York City.
On August 30, 2017 at 2 p.m. ET, join a webinar to learn how REV Connect is helping companies pursue innovative projects and business models in partnership with New York’s electric utilities.
 
About REV Connect
REV Connect brings companies and New York’s electric utilities together to accelerate innovation, adopt new business models and technologies, and advance New York State’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) goals. REV Connect helps companies that offer distributed energy and smart grid solutions connect with utilities to develop high quality REV demonstrations and other innovative projects. REV Connect also shares good practices and convenes market participants to enhance the culture of innovation and collaboration in the energy sector.
 
About Reforming the Energy Vision
Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York's economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency and requiring 50 percent of the state's electricity needs to be generated from renewable energy by 2030. Already, REV has driven a nearly 800 percent growth in the statewide solar market, enabled over 105,000 low-income households to permanently cut their energy bills with energy efficiency, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, installation and other clean-tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York State reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally-recognized target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governor's $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, please visit https://rev.ny.gov/ and follow us at @Rev4NY.