by Rebecca Walker — March 22, 2010—New York companies will be able to improve the energy efficiency of their manufacturing facilities and data centers with the addition of $100 million in funds from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
To start, three engineering firms will get $2 million apiece to investigate cost-effective measures, then educate New York businesses on what kind of funding is available to help them. The firms are CHA, Energy & Resource Solutions and Willdan Energy Solutions.
The program has a special component especially geared to data centers, which are scattered throughout New York. NYSERDA said that New Yorks data centers spend up to $600 million a year on energy an amount that may double within three to five years.
For data centers, eligible projects include: improved air-flow management; applications management strategies; virtualization; next-generation servers; and cooling efficiency improvements. In the industrial sector, eligible projects could include improvements that: upgrade compressors, motors, cooling units and lighting; increase productivity; increase process efficiency; and reduce waste.
The minimum incentive is $10,000. NYSERDA has indicated it will pay 60 percent upon installation and the rest after the project has been verified. NYSERDA will provide up to $5 million per facility, with the amount not to exceed half the project cost.
For more information, see the NYSERDA Web site.
