Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

38 In the immediate aftermath of Sandy municipal, state and business leaders convened commissions and task forces with a charge to propose new investments and initiatives that would reduce the severity of infrastructure impacts due to future extreme weather events. The outcome in many instances were roadmaps that called for a significant increase in utilization of distributed generation. In January 2013 the NYS 2100 Commission Report, a who's who of industry experts appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, released a slate of recommendations for mitigating the impacts of future Superstorms on New York State's infrastructure. Among other things, the Commission Report called for expanding deployment of distributed energy resources in New York State ("Increase the deployment of distributed generation and microgrids throughout New York" at page 97). As part of the April 2013 Budget, an Act passed the New York State Legislature that mandated a State Microgrids Study. A.3008D/S.2608D—Part T (pg. 47) of the Article VII Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation ("TED") 2013 NYS Budget Bill requires the NYS Energy Research & Development Authority, the Department of Public Service and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency services, to develop recommendations regarding the establishment of microgrids in the state of New York. On January 7, 2014 in the State of the State Address, NY Governor Cuomo announced a $40 Million NY Prize Competition to support several Community Microgrids. This program, administered by NYSERDA solicits projects to promote a new generation of Community Energy via RFP 3044 NY Prize Community Grid Competition. The Program which takes place in three phases commenced in February 2015. NY Prize Stage I winners were announced on July 8, 2015. This stage provided $100,000 in funding to 83 communities to undertake feasibility studies. Stage 2 will provide resources up to $1 million for 8 to 10 or so projects to complete audit-grade engineering & financial/business plan. Stage 3, a competition for funding to support Microgrid Build-out and Operation, is expected to commence July 15, 2015, with the first winners announced as early as January 2016. The program will accept applications through December 2017. Request for Proposals (RFP) 3044 Powering a New Generation of Community Energy Mission: NY Prize helps communities reduce costs, promote clean energy, and build reliability and resiliency into the electric grid. NY Prize is a part of a statewide endeavor to modernize New York State's electric grid, spurring innovation and community partnerships with utilities, local governments, and private sector. Our mission is to enable the technological, operational, and business models that will help communities reduce costs, promote clean energy, and build reliability and resiliency into the grid. What is NY Prize: A first-in-the nation $40 million competition to help communities create microgrids—standalone energy systems that can operate independently in the event of a power outage.

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