- By NYSERDA
- Business & Technology
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"The 76West competition is supporting clean energy and helping to grow the technology industry in New York," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "Skyven Technologies' shipment of one of the world's first solar solutions for industrial steam is a testament of the advanced manufacturing in the Southern Tier region that is generating economic growth and complementing the Southern Tier Soaring strategy."
NYSERDA President and CEO Alicia Barton said, "The 76West competition enables emerging clean technology companies like Skyven to become integrated into this clean energy ecosystem that Governor Cuomo is building in the Southern Tier. Monday's announcement is a significant step forward for Skyven and reflective of the innovative companies that are bringing their business to New York."
Skyven's Intelligent Mirror Array technology is a unique renewable solution for industrial steam that can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial boilers. It uses panels, similar to solar panels, that magnify the sun's heat by concentrating sunlight, which can then be used to provide energy to industrial buildings at reduced costs.
Skyven, which is based in Dallas, was named the $1 million grand prize winner at a 76West award ceremony in Binghamton last year. As a condition of the award, all companies must either move to the Southern Tier or establish a direct connection with the Southern Tier, such as a supply chain, job development with Southern Tier companies, or other strategic relationships with Southern Tier entities that increases wealth creation and creates jobs. Skyven, has been working with Cameron Manufacturing and Design in Horseheads to finalize the technology and manufacturing specifications. The first order of panels has been completed. Skyven is working with The Radiant Store, based in Troy, to install the system at Copses Farms, in Valley Falls. Due in part to Skyven's technology order, Cameron has expanded its operations.
Terry Moag, owner, The Radiant Store, said, "This is ground-breaking technology that focuses on a market that is currently under-served. This system has a lot of potential to create opportunities for both manufacturers and installers and I look forward to helping Skyven integrate its technology in New York State."
Currently in its third year, 76West is a $20 million competition and support program administered by NYSERDA that started in 2016 and will run through 2019. Each year applicants compete for a $1 million grand prize, a $500,000 award and four $250,000 awards. In total, 76West is providing $10 million in awards and $10 million for business support, marketing and administration through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the Clean Energy Fund.
As part of this year's 76West competition, 20 finalists visited the Cornell University campus to pitch their companies to a panel of judges on July 31 and August 1. The finalists were chosen from a pool of 152 applicants based in more than a dozen countries and 27 states. The companies represent a diverse spectrum of clean energy technologies such as energy storage, wastewater treatment, energy efficiency and solar. After the pitches are complete, judges will recommend the six final award winners who will receive a total of $2.5 million in prizes. Winners will be revealed in the fall.
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