In his remarks to the New Energy New York "New Energy Symposium"
in Manhattan, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
President and CEO Francis J. Murray, Jr. today announced that the College
of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany
and the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR)
have entered into agreements with NYSERDA to provide support for the growth
of clean energy and environmental technology companies at the Saratoga Technology
+ Energy Park® (STEP®) and throughout New York State. Already home to
several companies involved in the manufacturing and deployment of clean energy
and environmental technologies, STEP is an innovative knowledge-based community
committed to the success of clean energy and environmental technology businesses
so that they can grow, create jobs, and compete in national and global marketplaces.
"Creating an environment that allows new ventures to access a variety
of business services, technical support, and state-of-the-art research and development
equipment is essential to ensure sustained growth and continued job creation
within the clean energy industry," Murray stated. "As a national leader
in the development and promotion of energy-efficient and clean energy technologies,
NYSERDA and our partners are committed to providing companies the services they
need to undertake new ventures and expand into new markets, and to create jobs.
Developing these businesses will not only help meet our energy challenges, it
also will continue to position New York as a leader in the thriving clean energy
economy."
Separate agreements have been signed by NYSERDA with CNSE and NYSTAR that will
lay the groundwork to provide business and technology support to established,
emerging, or future clean energy businesses throughout the State and for tenants
located at STEP. Because the economic development missions of each of the parties
include the support for emerging clean energy and environmental technology related
companies, each party understands the importance of fostering growth within
the clean tech sector and the importance of collaborating to leverage each other's
expertise and resources.
Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of
CNSE, said, "The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to partner with NYSERDA
and NYSTAR on this initiative that will support the expansion and growth of
clean energy and environmental technologies and companies across New York State.
As nanoscale innovations continue to drive new applications for alternative
and renewable sources of energy, this collaboration will serve to enable access
to the cutting-edge research and development critical for advancing green technologies
that will fuel energy independence and environmental sustainability."
Outreach services such as seminars, workshops, and one-on-one counseling, as
well as the development of opportunities for strategic partnering, alliances,
collaborative research and development, and business development activities
that create value for entrepreneurs, investors, and early stage companies, are
all possible services to be offered as a result of the MOU's to clean energy
companies located at STEP.
Dr. Pradeep Haldar, Director of CNSE's Energy and Environmental Technology
Applications Center ("E2TAC"), said, "The educational, technical,
and strategic capabilities of CNSE, in partnership with NYSERDA's expertise
in supporting the development of alternative and renewable energy technologies,
will provide a powerful combination to drive new opportunities in the emerging
clean energy sector throughout New York State. We look forward to working closely
with NYSERDA to help advance the innovative green technologies that will foster
both economic and environmental benefits."
"NYSTAR's collaboration with NYSERDA to provide support for STEP tenants
and clean energy companies will ensure that New York's emerging energy companies
can benefit from statewide public/private opportunities. This agreement formalizes
the strong partnership NYSTAR has enjoyed with NYSERDA and STEP which will broaden
the reach of the NYSTAR technology development and commercialization network
to help New York's clean energy companies grow and create jobs," said Edward
Reinfurt, Executive Director of the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology
and Innovation.
NYSERDA will continue to actively market and promote its research and development
program funding opportunities to attract clean energy manufacturing companies
to STEP. Assistance is available for businesses and entrepreneurs who are starting
out, launching new products or services, or expanding existing operations.