The Evolving Energy Landscape: New York State’s Reforming Energy Vision

Becky Wingenroth, Technical Leader, Principal, from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

After seeing the effects of Superstorm Sandy firsthand, New York’s Governor Cuomo tasked a group of state agencies and power authorities to work together to make his strategy for a clean, resilient and more affordable energy system a reality, while at the same time spurring energy innovation, bringing in new investments and improving consumer choice. Called Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), the goal of this comprehensive energy strategy is to help consumers make more informed energy choices, develop new energy products and services, and protect the environment while creating new jobs and economic opportunity throughout the state.

At our February meeting, Becky Wingenroth, Technical Leader, Principal at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and key liaison for REV, will explain how New York has engaged stakeholders in a collaborative effort that combines customer and third party engagement for increased distributed energy resources with practical experience from industry experts. These efforts have been a focal point of New York’s energy policy in the last few years with an aggressive schedule that has all stakeholders scrambling to advance the progress of the industry.

Wingenroth will share REV’s initial framework, summarize technological and policy challenges, and describe the state’s unique efforts to spur change, including the development of microgrids, utility mandates that require pilot demonstration projects, energy storage installation, and new rate design, to name just a few. She’ll also be ready to discuss with us how these innovations may apply to Pennsylvania!

A Reading-area resident who has worked as Executive Director of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development as Director of Customer Services for MetEd, Wingenroth understands well how Pennsylvania wrestles with similar challenges in the energy industry to ensure a positive advancement for consumers, while maintaining or enhancing reliability of electric service.

We look forward to Becky Wingenroth’s expert insights and discussion of New York’s groundbreaking energy industry innovations, and hope you can join us! All are invited. Our meetings are free and open to the public. The meeting is Tuesday, February 27, at 7:00 at TEKPark (9999 Hamilton Boulevard, Breinigsville, PA 18031, between Kutztown and Allentown). After the meeting, please plan to stick around and chat with friends old and new. Light snacks will be served. Hope to see you there!

Becky Wingenroth is Technical Leader, Principal, from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), an international non-profit organization that provides objective scientific, fact based research for the industry as well as the public (i.e. Congress). Becky is from our local area with a wealth of experience working in the industry previously for an electric utility, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as her current position with EPRI. Most recently she serves as EPRI’s liaison to the New York REV proceedings as well as a research expert in EPRI’s Distributed Energy Resources group. She has a Bachelor of Science from Kutztown University and Master of Science from Purdue University along with post graduate work at the Pennsylvania State University. In 2000, she was recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as one of the 50 Best Women in Business. In 2004, she was honored with the Rothermel Award by Kutztown University. At EPRI, she recently served as Chairman of EPRI’s Technical Women’s Network

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