Experts from leading companies to meet November 13th in Rochester, NY

Rochester, N.Y. - The New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST) is hosting a battery and energy storage conference and expo at the Hyatt Regency in Rochester on Wednesday, November 13th from 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

"NY-BEST's mission is to grow the energy storage industry and establish New York State as a global leader," said Dr. William Acker, Executive Director of NY-BEST. "We expect that thousands of jobs will be created in the battery and energy storage industry in the next decade. With a long history of innovation and entrepreneurship, a highly educated and skilled workforce, major energy markets and a strong manufacturing infrastructure, New York is uniquely qualified to lead the industry."

A total of 18 experts involved the field of energy storage and economic development will participate in panel discussions around the event's theme - "Supply Chain and Manufacturing." The day will include a keynote address from General Electric's Global Technical Director for Manufacturing & Materials Technologies, Christine Furstoss, as well as workshops and panel discussions focused on opportunities in the battery and energy storage technology supply chain and manufacturing. 

Attendees will hear from global industry leaders about energy storage technologies, applications and markets as well as from companies that have successfully transitioned their existing manufacturing capabilities and grown their business as part of energy storage technology supply chain.  Attendees will gain an understanding of the broad economic potential for this sector, the scope of the supply chain opportunities and insights on how to capitalize on those opportunities.

Presenting companies include: General Electric, Raymond Corporation, BAE Systems, Ascension Industries, Eastman Business Park, NOHMs, Incodema, ECG Consulting, Cornell-RPI Center for Future Energy Systems, NYS Pollution Prevention Institute, US Small Business Administration, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Empire State Development, NYSTAR, Greater Rochester Enterprise and High Tech Rochester.

In July 2013, NY-BEST announced a partnership with a major global company, DNV KEMA Energy & Sustainability, to create a $23 million Battery and Energy Storage Technology Test and Commercialization Center at Eastman Business Park in Rochester. The Center will provide unique testing and validation capabilities for companies in the battery and energy storage industry and is one of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council priority projects. The Center is serving as a magnet to attract and grow the energy storage industry here in New York State.

In October 2013, NOHMs Technologies Inc., announced it would locate its pilot nanoscale battery materials manufacturing facility at Eastman Business Park, converting 8,000 square feet of office and lab space into a research, development and advanced manufacturing facility for lithium sulfur battery materials and battery cell prototypes. The project is expected to create more than 100 new full-time scientific, technical and manufacturing jobs during the next three years.

The conference is sponsored by NYSERDA, Greater Rochester Enterprise, DNV KEMA, the Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology at Alfred University, the Center for Future Energy Systems at RPI-Cornell, RG&E and NYSEG. To register for the conference, view the agenda, or exhibit at the expo please visit the NY-BEST website at www.ny-best.org

About NY-BEST

The New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY-BEST) Consortium is a non-profit corporation established with support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in 2010 to position New York State as a global leader in energy storage technology including applications in transportation, grid storage, and power electronics. An industry-led consortium with more than 120 organizational members, NY-BEST's mission is to catalyze and grow the energy storage industry and establish New York State as a global leader in the energy storage industry. Visit us on the web at www.nybest.org.