Con Edison New York Profile

With roots dating back to 1823, Con Edison New York has been serving up power to generations of New Yorkers for nearly two centuries – and it shows. Today the utility’s aging distribution and transmission infrastructure is struggling to handle the power pushing through it.

Con Ed NY distributes electric, gas and steam service to more than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County.

In the next 10 years, in addition to its AMI commitment (see below), ConEd is undertaking a massive substation building program and making a major investment in its gas delivery system.

Smart Grid

In July, the Department of Energy announced Consolidated Edison NY would get $5,631,110 in Recovery Act money for an existing project designed to demonstrate true interoperability between an energy delivery company and retail electric consumers.  By using demand response resources, the project is intended to enhance the reliability of the distribution grid and the efficiency of its operations.

In December 2007, Con Ed New York and Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (also owned by Consolidated Edison) filed a plan for development and deployment of AMI through 2014. The projected $712.8 million price tag would cover 3.6 million electric and 1.2 million gas meters.

Renewables

Con Ed NY operates the largest district steam system in the U.S. but otherwise lacks diversified fuel sources. Through its PowerYourWay program, the utility allows customers to choose green power from alternative energy supply companies.

Con Edison is part of the newly formed Long Island – New York City Offshore Wind Collaborative which is exploring the possibility of creating an offshore wind project that would be situated approximately 13 miles off the south shore of the Rockaway Peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean. The wind project would likely be designed for 350 MW of generation, with the ability to expand it to 700 MW, giving it the potential to be the largest offshore wind project in the country.

For vendors only …

The utility’s R&D group tends to be very “secretive.” The company is also very old and very bureaucratic and can be difficult to penetrate. Once you land them, they can be a difficult customer; very demanding.  But the money is good.