FW: NYC Solar Hub to Bring Solar to Cities Worldwide

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In an innovative project to bring solar to cities across the world and
reduce the costs of solar, New York City is creating a Solar Energy Hub. 

Using IBM's intelligent software platform for Smarter Cities, the output of
every solar system in the city can be seen in real time, giving crucial
information on whether that's enough energy to offset costly upgrades to the
grid or use fossil fuel  generators during peak usage periods.

CUNY Ventures, a City University of New York (CUNY) Economic Development
Corporation, will be able to monitor and analyze solar production and
capacity through the NYC Solar Portal on the web.

They'll be able to fine-tune current resource use, quickly identify
barriers, foster inter-agency permitting and tracking, solar empowerment
zones, and a NYC Solar Map - which shows existing solar PV and solar thermal
installations in the city and estimates the solar PV potential for every,
single rooftop (1 million in NYC). 

Included in the individual calculations for every building is how much solar
can be installed, how much power that will generate, how much can be saved
on an annual electricity bill, how many pounds of carbon emissions can be
reduced each year, and what the equivalent would be in planting trees.

A built-in financial calculator provides a cost break down and payback time-
a surprising 5-7 years for most installations with the current incentives in
place. The Map also provides practical information and steps for installing
solar.

For starters, five state and city organizations will use the tools:  NY
State Energy Research and Development Authority, Mayor's Office of Long Term
Planning and Sustainability, NYC Department of Buildings, NYC Economic
Development Corporation and the local utility, Con Ed. 

After the first year, it will be expanded to other major jurisdictions in NY
State with a goal of creating standards and streamlining the permitting
process.

CUNY Ventures also plans to extend the model to apply to other kinds of
renewable energy and to other city services, such as water, energy
management and transportation.

"As people migrate to urban centers in greater numbers, demand increases on
city infrastructure and resources," says Craig Hayman, general manager for
IBM Industry Solutions. "Intelligent automation of key services such as
energy, water, transportation and public safety is the solution to help meet
these new challenges. Developing leadership in sustainable resources, as New
York is doing with solar energy, serves as a model for meeting citizens'
needs while achieving the operational goals of the city."

The Department of Energy's Rooftop Solar Challenge, which is part of its
Sunshot Initiative, is partially funding the effort as part of its goal to
streamline solar installations to make solar cost-competitive with
traditional energy sources by the end of the decade.

IBM is also adapting its Smarter Buildings software for the US
Airforce to maximize energy efficiency across its entire infrastructure in
170 locations around the world.

And IBM is working with Ireland's Sustainable Energy Authority to develop
software that measures how much noise wave energy makes in the ocean to
minimize environmental impacts.

NYC is launchng an Energy App this summer that lets residents control their
air conditioners remotely.  

Here's the NYC Solar Map:

Website: http://nycsolarmap.com/

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