Energy for the Future Conference Draws Over 600 Attendees to Discuss New
Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency
KeySpan, LIPA and National Grid Host Event
Melville, NY – August 15, 2007 – Starting on the day that marked the
fourth anniversary of the 2003 Blackout that impacted over 50 million Americans
in the Midwest and Northeast, over 600 attendees and 50 exhibitors turned out at
a conference to share innovative developments and exchange ideas on energy
technologies and policies to increase the reliability and durability of the
region’s electric and gas infrastructure, and improve energy efficiency as well.
The conference entitled: Energy for the Future: Solving Industry Challenges
through Technology and Innovation is sponsored by KeySpan, the Long Island Power
Authority and National Grid.
Conference keynoter, Rep. Steve Israel of Long Island, who serves as a Member of
the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Energy and Water, underscored
his “Next Generation Energy Security Plan,” which is a “man-on-the-moon” federal
commitment to catalyze the private sector to research, develop and produce
“clean energy” technologies to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
The conference got under way Tuesday evening, August 14, with a networking
reception and Technology Expo that featured some 50 exhibits. At the reception
leading players in the energy industry displayed their latest innovations,
including robots to inspect and maintain facilities, fuel cell technologies,
customer efficiency innovations superconducting cables to eliminate electric
losses, electric fault mitigation technologies and advanced grid analysis
software.
On Wednesday, August 15, the full-day conference consisted of panel
discussions and presentations by national and international experts who shared
ideas and perspectives on
energy technology and innovation. Sessions covered topics such as overcoming the
barriers to innovation energy and efficiency in the home and business of the
future, and advancing technologies to reduce energy’s impact on the environment.
Key participants included Robert Catell, Chairman and CEO of KeySpan; Richard
Kessel, Chief Executive Officer & President of LIPA; Humza Malik, Strategy and
Corporate Development Director of National Grid; and Dr. Yacov Shamash, Vice
President for Economic Development and Dean of the College of Engineering and
Applied Science at SUNY Stony Brook. They were joined by a prestigious group of
industry experts including Paul D. Tonko, former NYS Assemblyman and newly
appointed President and CEO of NYSERDA; Ashok Gupta, Director of Air and Energy
Programs for the Natural Resources Defense Council; Patricia Hoffman, Deputy
Director of Research and Development for the US Department of Energy; and Clark
Gellings, Vice President of the Electric Power Research Institute.
Energy and the environment are important global issues. Emerging technologies
and progressive policies have created opportunities to provide for the future
energy needs in ways that address both environmental and economic concerns.
KeySpan, LIPA and National Grid are committed to fostering innovative solutions
to these global issues in the communities they serve.
“I look forward to the new alliances, new ideas and innovative solutions that
will emerge from this forum,” said Robert B. Catell, Chairman & CEO of KeySpan.
“Technology and innovation is critical to solving the global challenges our
industry faces. We need to continue to come together in a range of forums to
debate issues, resolve barriers and find ways to leverage each other’s expertise
and strengths.
“This kind of a conference,” said Mr. Catell, “also helps to identify the
kinds of technological concepts and innovations that can be further developed
and advanced through the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center, which
will soon be constructed at SUNY Stony Brook. The Center will help make Long
Island a nexus for advanced energy technology research and development.”
"We have major challenges ahead to meet our energy needs in an environmental
and economic way,” said Humza Malik, Strategy and Corporate Development Director
at National Grid. “By hosting this event together with KeySpan and LIPA, we are
giving people an opportunity to discuss their innovative ideas to meet these
challenges, as well as tackling the real issues we all face, such as climate
change.”
"Consistently delivering reliable, high-quality, and reasonably priced
electricity to LIPA's customers in the decades ahead will require the
application of new and innovative technologies to the region's power grid," said
Richard M. Kessel, LIPA's CEO/President. "We've invested over $2.5 billion in
the last nine years to make LIPA's Transmission and Distribution System the most
reliable overhead system in the State. As we move forward we must continue to
utilize the most advanced technologies possible, such as SuperConducting cable
technology, to help ensure that our high-tech economy and life style on Long
Island can be sustained."
“It is inspiring to see the Long Island business and academic community come
together to discuss, in a variety of cooperative formats, technology and
innovation as it relates to the critical subject of energy,” said Yacov Shamash,
Vice President for Economic Development and Dean of the College of Engineering
and Applied Science at SUNY Stony Brook. “The Energy for the Future Conference
is an excellent example of this. We hope the conference will forge new strategic
partnerships that will increase the role Long Island plays in international
Energy research and innovation.”
For more information on the event, including an agenda and speakers list,
please go to www.forum4energy.com.
About KeySpan:
A member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, KeySpan Corporation (NYSE:KSE) is
the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast United States, operating
regulated gas utilities in New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, serving
2.6 million customers. These customer-focused businesses are complemented by a
portfolio of service companies which offer energy-related products, services and
solutions to homes and businesses. KeySpan is also the largest electric
generator in New York State. The Company owns approximately 6,650 megawatts of
generating capacity, providing power to 1.1 million customers of the Long Island
Power Authority on Long Island and supplying approximately 25 percent of New
York City's capacity needs. In addition to these assets, KeySpan has strategic
investments in pipeline transportation, distribution and storage. KeySpan has
headquarters in Brooklyn, New England and Long Island. For more information,
visit KeySpan's web site at
www.keyspanenergy.com.
About National Grid:
National Grid is an international energy delivery business with principal
activities in the regulated electricity and natural gas industries. In the U.S.,
National Grid distributes electricity to approximately 3.4 million customers in
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island and natural gas to
approximately 569,000 customers in New York and 245,000 customers in Rhode
Island.
The company owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England
and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain. It also owns and
operates the high-pressure gas transmission system in Britain and, through its
natural gas distribution business serves over 11 million customers in homes and
businesses in Britain. In addition, it has a number of businesses operating in
related areas such as LNG importation, land remediation, metering and
interconnectors. For more information, visit National Grid's web site at
www.nationalgrid.com. |
