NYISO Announces Speakers and Panelists for Distributed Energy Workshop

RENSSELAER, NY (12/05/2013)(readMedia)-- The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) today announced speakers and panelists for its upcoming distributed energy resources workshop on December 13 at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, N.Y. The forum will feature four panel discussions that will focus on the opportunities and challenges created by the growing use of decentralized power generation, energy storage and demand-side management technologies.

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) commonly refers to smaller-scale, on-site power generation and storage technologies that supply all or a portion of the end-user customer's electric load. These technologies also may inject power into a transmission and distribution system or a non-utility local network operating in parallel with the utility grid. The technologies include solar photovoltaic, combined heat and power or cogeneration systems, microgrids, wind turbines, microturbines, backup generators and energy storage.

New York State Public Service Commission Chair Audrey Zibelman will deliver opening remarks, outlining a vision that calls for implementing advanced distributed energy resources to make the state's transmission and distribution system more resilient and protect residential and business customers from power outages, including those caused by the increasing number of devastating storms. Mason Emnett, deputy director in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Office of Energy Policy and Innovation will be the featured keynote speaker after lunch.

The first panel, "Government Programs and Future Initiatives," will discuss current programs and future initiatives by New York state and localities to support the installation of DERs. Panelists include: Jeffrey Cohen, deputy of Policy and Legal Affairs, New York State Department of Public Service; Robert Lurie, senior vice president, Strategic Planning, New York Power Authority; Peter Douglas, program director, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); and Mike Delaney, director, Energy Regulatory Affairs, NYC Department of Long-Term Planning & Sustainability.

Panelists for "Technology Providers/Users on Behind-the-Meter Applications and Customer Motivations," will discuss the state of the technology, market penetration and potential, and customer motivations. Panelists include: Thierry Godart, president, Smart Grid Division, Siemens; Ruben Brown, president, E Cubed Company; William Acker, executive director, NY Battery & Energy Storage Technology Consortium; John Moynihan, managing director, Cogen Power Technologies, and James Gallagher, executive director, New York State Smart Grid Consortium.

The third panel, "Market Participants on the State of Distributed Energy Resources," will discuss various applications of DERs in New York and other markets. Panelists include: Sam Wolfe, vice president, Law and Public Policy, Viridity; Terrill Laughton, vice president, Sales & Operations, Johnson Controls; John Webster: director, Regulatory and ISO Affairs, ICETEC (NYU); Chris Cantone, vice president, Load Response Sales, Constellation; and Bill Cristofaro, president, Energy Concepts.

Panelists for "Utilities and End Users of DER on Rates, Regulations and Motivations," will examine retail rates and requirements for customers with DERs, government incentives, policies and policy motivations. Panelists include: Colin Smart, section manager, Commercial Customer Solutions, Consolidated Edison; Michael Voltz, director, Energy Efficiency and Renewables, PSEG; Henrietta de Veer, senior vice president, Strategy & Market Development, Prime Solutions; Stephen Geoghan, sales manager, Comverge; and Bob Loughney, Multiple Intervenors.

The Distributed Energy Resource workshop is free of charge. However, space is limited and pre-registration is required for attendees. Registration must be received by December 10 to participate in person. Interested attendees can register online by clicking the "RSVP here" link on the NYISO Committee Calendar on the NYISO website, www.nyiso.com.