Excerpt from “Four Learnings from REV Connect” by Navigant's Dan Bradley and H. Christine Richards in the December PUF:
“New York State launched REV Connect, a centrally managed online portal combined with a team of experts who oversee its content curation and idea submissions. REV Connect addresses these barriers by bringing companies and electric utilities together to accelerate innovation, develop new business models, and deliver value to New Yorkers.
It helps companies that offer distributed energy and smart-grid solutions to connect with utilities and develop high quality REV demonstrations and other innovative projects.
Utilities engage REV Connect to broadcast their REV activity in one place, and providers browse the utility marketplace in one place. In contrast to traditional request for proposal efforts, the simple initial submission processes are key elements for REV Connect.
REV Connect Facilitation: The REV Connect team assesses submissions to ensure the idea meets the minimum requirements, facilitation criteria, and fitness for utilities. The work is focused upfront to enable utilities to source more innovation from the market and to coach submitters to put their best business case forward. If a match is made, the utility and the solutions provider work together directly to reach a business deal.
REV Connect Innovation Sprints: Innovation Sprints focus attention on timely and specific utility needs for innovative energy partnerships. A three-month time-bound process, Innovation Sprints kick off with a webinar, drive toward a submission deadline, and culminate in a workshop for an area, such as energy efficiency.
REV Connect is organized around a unique governance structure that consists of a Steering Committee. The Steering Committee has representatives from across the industry, including NYSERDA, New York State Department of Public Service, Con Edison, Central Hudson Gas and Electric, National Grid, Avangrid, and Advanced Energy Economy, as well as the New York Power Authority, Long Island Power Authority, PSEG Long Island, and Navigant Consulting, Inc.
Administered by NYSERDA, the REV Connect team includes facilitation partners Navigant and the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY-BEST) Consortium.”
