Roundtable on Development and Marketing of Advanced Energy Technologies

As chair of the Assembly Task Force on University-Industry Cooperation, I recently sponsored a roundtable on the Development and Marketing of Advanced Energy Technologies in New York State. The October 28 event was co-chaired by my Assembly colleague, Adele Cohen, chairwoman of the Legislative Commission on Science and Technology. The event was held at the Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems at Syracuse University.

Over twenty people participated, including representatives of universities and other research institutions, energy and environmental technology companies, and venture capital groups. In the course of the discussion, the participants collectively offered a vision for the development of advanced energy technologies in New York State. This vision would take advantage of the many resources available statewide that would support this growing industry, including the many skilled workers graduating from New York universities each year, the vast quantity of natural resources available in the upstate region, and the convergence of research institutions and high tech energy companies that collaborate on development of advanced energy technologies, including wind power, hydropower, biofuels, and other renewable energy sources.

Participants emphasized that the United States is overly dependent on non-renewable energy sources, such as petroleum and natural gas, and agreed that there is an urgent need to develop and market new energy technologies that promote energy conservation and efficiency. In addition, there is a need to develop and market renewable energy sources. Geopolitical conflicts and global economic competition have pointed to a serious need for comprehensive, sustainable energy and environmental policies that would enable the development of both efficient and reliable energy sources while maintaining a healthy environment and assuring our nation's economic security. Advanced energy technologies promote job creation in the research and development (R&D) stages, as well as in the manufacturing and installation of these advanced energy sources.

The value of the continued support for R&D in advanced energy technologies was noted through programs such as the Systems Benefit Charge, a fund sustained by most energy consumers as part of their energy bills. Participants did point out, however, that these funds do not offer support for commercialization of these new technologies. In addition, participants agreed almost uniformly that there is a need for early stage funding to support product prototyping and testing. I agree that commercialization assistance is critical, and I will continue to do my part by supporting legislation that provides such aid through, for example, commercialization grants and tax credits.

Participants noted that there is a need to connect new companies that provide advanced energy technologies or services with venture capital. They also spoke of an ongoing need for all groups represented at the Roundtable to collaborate in the research, development and marketing of advanced energy technologies.

During the Roundtable, participants offered policy suggestions for New York State so that the State can better support collaboration between the private sector and university researchers to conduct research, develop advanced energy technologies, and bring them to the marketplace. Fostering such collaborations is one of the key roles of the Task Force. The dialogue on October 28 was enlightening and provocative and offered a number of ideas through which improved collaboration can be achieved.

The exciting research being conducted in the development and utilization of advanced energy technologies - from wind, solar and biofuels to technologies that promote conservation and efficiency - should remain at the forefront of all of our discussions on the energy crisis not only in New York State, but nationally and globally as well.