NYISO Hosts Senate and Assembly Energy Committee Members

RENSSELAER, NY (05/18/2015)(readMedia)-- The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) today welcomed members of the New York State Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee and the Assembly Energy Committee for a tour of the NYISO power control center. Opened in 2014, the facility features the latest digital monitoring technologies to strengthen grid reliability throughout the state and region.

"It's an honor to host this bipartisan delegation of lawmakers who play such an important role in the dynamic world of energy policy," said NYISO President and CEO Stephen Whitley. "Working with NYISO's stakeholders and New York's policymakers, we built this great new control center, which employs smart grid technology to sustain reliability and serve the future energy needs of New York."

Whitley and NYISO Executive Vice President Richard Dewey met with the legislators and provided an overview of the NYISO's roles and responsibilities in the areas of grid operations; maintaining and enhancing regional reliability; operating open, fair and competitive wholesale energy markets; and planning for the power system of the future. Consistent with its mission to provide objective information to policymakers, stakeholders and investors in the power system, the tour also included an update on how the NYISO is working in partnership with New York State government to address emerging energy issues.

"The NYISO control center is an impressive facility providing a sound foundation for the robust electric system that will serve New York's economy for many years to come. It is a clear demonstration of our collective commitment to technological innovation that provides value to all New Yorkers by operating a smarter and more efficient electric grid," said Senate Energy & Telecommunications Chair Joseph Griffo.

Assembly Energy Committee Chair Amy Paulin said, "The NYISO is deploying the latest technology to manage the electric grid and our state's wholesale energy markets. The wise investment in this facility's advanced grid operations strengthens New York's ability to integrate renewable energy and make our power system more environmentally sound."

"New Yorkers deserve to have the newest and most efficient technologies serving their electricity needs. The NYISO's control center is an excellent example of smart grid technology at work," said Senator Kevin Parker, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, Ranking Member of the Assembly Energy Committee, said, "Reliable and affordable electricity is vital to our effort to keep and create jobs in New York State. So, it's important that the NYISO continue to keep our electric system technology on the cutting edge."

The NYISO control center features a 2,300 square foot video wall that is the largest such utility installation in North America. Displaying a massive representation of the state's electric grid, the video wall provides more than 3,000 live status points presenting key electric system operations data and information. Regional electric system information, weather and lightning-strike data, power demand forecasts and other information can be customized for display to assist system operators in forecasting and mitigating potential system disturbances.

Throughout its 15-year history, the NYISO has hosted a wide range of public and private sector leaders interested in seeing real-time grid operations at work. Since the NYISO's inception in late 1999, more than 6,500 visitors from 86 nations around the world have toured the NYISO facilities.