Highlights
- Virtual Reality Training to Educate Utility Workforce on Operations and Maintenance of Energy Storage and Microgrid Systems
- Residents of Disadvantaged Communities Eligible to Enroll in Tuition-Free ESAMTAC Trainings at 14 Locations Throughout New York
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees yesterday (Jan 28) approved $400,000 in funding for the Energy Storage and Microgrid Training and Certification (ESAMTAC) program to prepare electrical contractors and workers for safe and effective installation, testing, commissioning, maintenance, repair, retrofitting, and decommissioning of energy storage and microgrid or energy surety microgrid (ESM) systems. This latest funding brings NYPA's support for clean energy job training to $21 million since May 2024 when the 2023-2024 Enacted State Budget included an annual $25 million from NYPA for job skills training to advance the state's clean energy and climate action agenda.
"This $400,000 NYPA funding award to ESAMTAC supports the development of a robust training curriculum that integrates virtual reality technology, making it easier for union technicians and electricians to address the needs of New York's evolving grid," said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. "The complexities of energy storage and microgrid systems necessitate unique, innovative solutions and comprehensive training methods. With this ESAMTAC program, we are preparing our workforce for the energy jobs of the future."
The funding awarded to the ESAMTAC program will support the development of a virtual reality (VR) component aligned with the ESAMTAC module learning objectives and curriculum. The VR activities will be integrated with existing lecture videos and learning materials creating a cohesive and engaging learning experience. The ESAMTAC course will be tuition-free for residents of disadvantaged communities in New York and will be offered at 14 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) training centers throughout the state. Participating IBEW training centers are in: Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Elmira, Geneva, Harriman, Hauppauge, Ithaca, Jamestown, New York City, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse and Watertown.
ESAMTAC has been providing advanced training and certification in the safe and effective installation and maintenance of energy storage and microgrid systems to licensed electricians since 2017. In May 2023, NYPA awarded ESAMTAC $75,000 to support the development a pilot of its VR training tool.
"ESAMTAC is honored to be recipient of a NYPA funding award and a partner in the outstanding work that NYPA is doing in sustainable energy, the application of advanced technology and fortification of grid resilience," said ESAMTAC Co-Chair Bernie Kotlier. "ESAMTAC is also impressed by NYPA's leadership and commitment to providing uplifting good wage and benefit career opportunities for members of disadvantaged communities across New York State."
"The power professionals of the IBEW are proud to partner with the New York Power Authority to equip the state's electrical workforce to meet the growing demands of installing and maintaining energy storage and microgrid systems," said IBEW Third District Vice President Dennis Affinati. "Our training centers offer the most comprehensive electrical training in the nation. This funding will allow us to expand our capacity and capabilities, while also helping to eliminate barriers for individuals in disadvantaged communities, ensuring that New York has a highly qualified, professional electrical workforce prepared for the future."
The current funding total strengthens NYPA's collaboration with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), the NYSDOL's newly established State Office of Just Energy Transition and with job-skills training organizations especially those working in disadvantaged communities and in the vicinities of NYPA power facilities.
"As we advance our clean energy expansion, we must continue to ensure that New Yorkers receive the skills to support this sector and thrive in the jobs of tomorrow," said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. "This funding powers essential workforce development programs that will open doors to good-paying clean energy careers for all New Yorkers, especially those from underserved communities."
NYPA's workforce training and development investments stem from expanded authority legislation that was part of the 2023-2024 New York State Budget Enactment. The legislation granted the Power Authority with expanded authority for bringing about new renewable energy projects to advance New York's nation-leading climate agenda. Under the budget enactment, the Power Authority committed to invest up to $25 million annually toward worker-training programs for the renewable energy sector.
NYPA's investments to date against this $25 million annual commitment will assist in preparing New Yorkers for work ranging from maintenance of wind and solar power facilities to aerial-drone structural inspections, and from heating, ventilation and air-conditioning maintenance to support of electric-vehicle charging equipment.
For more information about NYPA's workforce development efforts visit https://www.nypa.gov/workforce-development.
About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.
Contact: media.inquiries@nypa.gov | (518) 860-9935
