Energy & Power Leaders from Across the Nation Come Together for Day Long Event in Manhattan
Challenges facing power and electrical systems across the nation and the world were the focus of the first Smart Power Generation Forum, presented by Wärtsilä and SUNY Maritime College in New York City at the State University of New York Global Center, in November, 2012. The day-long event brought out close to 100 energy and power leaders from around the United States and the world. “This was a true meeting of the minds,” said Wärtsilä North America, Inc. Managing Director, Frank Donnelly. “It’s not often that those of us in this business have the chance to come together and interact with our colleagues and discuss these vital issues facing our industry in a setting that allowed us to exchange ideas and perhaps begin to formulate some new solutions to common issues that face us all.”
The changing face of energy and power generation brought together more than 100 energy and power leaders from New York City, Houston, and around the nation. “There are real challenges facing systems that must be flexible but robust and economical but reliable,’ said Dr. Richard Burke, SUNY Maritime College Executive Director Global Maritime Center for Research, Development, Education & Training Professor of Engineering. Over the course of the day, three major topics emerged: Public utilities are working hard to meet the increasing volume of legislative requirements for using renewable energy; there are ever increasing new innovative approaches to heat and power generation (CHP) and lastly, the unexpected availability and declining price of natural gas is changing the fuel markets. “We are getting a lot better at making as much of the energy available to do work, much more than in the recent past,” noted Dr. Richard Burke. “Plant efficiency has gone up 20% in the past 50 years,” he advised.
It was the topic of natural gas in the U.S. and how its abundance and low cost has impacted the economics of energy that gained the most interest by the group. “The dynamics between economics and the technology was an issue that will impact all of us for many years to come,” noted one participant.
The event opened with remarks from Wärtsilä North America, Inc. Managing Director, Frank Donnelly. Dr. Burke, of SUNY Maritime College joined Mr. Donnelly in welcoming the energy and power leaders. Wayne Elmore, Wärtsilä Regional Sales Director, Power Plants, served as moderator of the forum. The full list of topics covered, discussed were: The Economics of Energy; Large Scale District Heating & Cooling with Local Power Generation; the Wärtsilä Smart Power Generation Solution; Distributed Generation & Micro-Grids and Renewable Energy Solutions for the Energy Industry.
“The US natural gas resource and transportation network provide a clear path to a distributed generation model verses the development of large central station power plants which require expansion of electric transmission lines. Smart Power Generation is increasingly important to the electric systems of the future as we integrate renewable energy and need to backup that capacity with dependable clean energy. Gas fired reciprocating engine plants using the proven and highly efficient Wärtsilä technology are the key to Smart Power Generation.,” highlighted Dan Shelledy, Business Development Manager, Wärtsilä North America.
“The day was the most cogent and relevant conferences I’ve been to in a long time,” said Dr. Burke. Mr. Donnelly concurred, stating, “A true success. We look forward to collaborating with SUNY Maritime on future energy forums.”
For more information please contact:
Ms Amy Reynolds
Communications
Wärtsilä North America
Tel. +1 281 233 6228
Amy.Reynolds@wartsila.com
Ms Jane Bartnett
Director of Communications
SUNY Maritime College
Tel. +1 718 409 7277
jbartnett@sunymaritime.edu
Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2011, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 4.2 billion with approximately 18,000 employees. The company has operations in nearly 170 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com
SUNY Maritime College in brief:
SUNY Maritime College, one of the nation’s leading engineering schools has a rich 137 year history of educating young men and women. A four-year college located at historic Fort Schuyler in Throggs Neck, the Bronx, New York City, SUNY Maritime offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the following areas: Engineering (Marine, Mechanical, Electrical and Facilities), Naval Architecture, Marine Transportation/ Business Administration(minors in Ship Management and Maritime & Port Security), Maritime Studies, Marine Environmental Science (minors in Marine Biology and Meteorology & Oceanography), Humanities, International Transportation and Trade, and a Master's degree in International Transportation Management. SUNY Maritime’s five engineering programs are accredited by ABET. Founded in 1874, Maritime College holds the honor or being the first maritime college in the U.S.