Energy Innovation
The Greater Rochester, NY region is a world-renowned innovation community and is uniquely poised to be a leading energy innovation center. Whether it's fuel cell technology, solar energy, wind energy, battery or energy storage, our assets are perfectly aligned. We have material and precision manufacturing expertise, a skilled workforce adept at managing complex electro-mechanical and chemical products, and university research and development already underway to find smarter energy solutions.
BioFuels / Biomass - Home to ethanol and biodiesel manufacturing, including New York's first state-of-the-art dry mill ethanol plant. Additionally, complex biomass research and development is currently taking place at our colleges and universities.
Fuel Cell Technology - Fuel cell research and development expertise and ready to use lab space have supported several emerging fuel cell companies.
Solar Energy - World leader in optics, thin film polymer technology, and roll-to-roll film manufacturing, key enablers for next-generation solar applications.
Wind Energy - Superior supply chain resources, including Gleason Works, a renowned expert in gear technology.
Battery and Energy Storage Technology - Global leader in energy storage technology for heavy-duty transportation, electric grid, and other applications.
World-class talent at competitive rates below the national average.
| Position |
Rochester Annual Mean Wage
|
National Annual Mean Wage |
Rochester Advantage |
| Nuclear Engineers |
$102,840 |
$105,950 |
2.9% |
| Electrical Engineers |
$93,200 |
$98,620 |
5.5% |
| Electronics Engineers |
$89,390 |
$103,760 |
13.8% |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians |
$53,150 |
$62,950 |
15.6% |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics |
$47,520 |
$51,890 |
8.4% |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers |
$47,130 |
$48,320 |
2.5% |
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians |
$40,830 |
$54,360 |
24.9% |
| Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers |
$30,620 |
$44,720 |
31.5% |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics |
$30,260 |
$35,320 |
14.3% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2016 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
Sustainability - Home to the world's first doctoral programs in sustainability at RIT's Golisano Institute for Sustainability
World-class energy innovation research facilities: Eastman Business Park's comprehensive suite of test, validation, prototyping, and pilot manufacturing tools are specifically designed to help accelerate innovation out of the lab to high volume manufacturing in the energy storage sector. The Park's facilities, capabilities and amenities are uniquely positioned to support all energy-related technologies requiring thin film coated electrodes and other components, from batteries to ultra-capacitors to fuel cells to photovoltaics.
Rochester Institute of Technology's Golisano Institute for Sustainability offers educational programs and research related to sustainable product remanufacturing and pollution prevention. The Clean Energy Incubator (CEI) is a joint industry outreach effort by the Golisano Institute for Sustainability and RIT's Venture Creations business incubator. The role of CEI is to assist early-stage clean energy companies in product development, business and marketing planning, and technology commercialization.
University of Rochester's Energy Research Initiative is a multi-disciplinary initiative that coordinates energy-related research and educational activities at the University of Rochester.
7% of the world's freshwater is in our region thanks in part to Rochester's close proximity to Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes. Unlike other areas of the country facing droughts, we do not face water rationing or water rights fees. We have an abundance of fresh water available at rates well below the national average. In fact, Monroe County Water Authority has 12 million gallons a day of excess water capacity.
BioFuels / Biomass: The rich agricultural base in the Rochester, NY Region provides the necessary feedstock to support ethanol and biodiesel production.
New York's first state-of-the-art dry mill ethanol plant, Western New York Energy, LLC, is located in Orleans County, just west of Rochester. This facility produces an estimated 50 million gallons of ethanol a year.
Another BioFuels / Biomass asset in this region is our research and development expertise.
The New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, located in Geneva, NY, and affiliated with Cornell University, is a national leader in agricultural research and development. Research is underway to support biofuels technologies and production facilities at the Experiment Station, including next generation cellulosic ethanol. Another Cornell resource, The Technology Farm, was established to foster agriculture, food and bio-based technologies. One of its major purposes is to transfer Cornell's cutting-edge research and technology to the private sector in order to aid commercial development.
Sustainability: Whether it's utilizing sustainable green building standards or educating the next generation of sustainable leaders, the Greater Rochester Region takes sustainability seriously. Rochester is home to the world's first doctoral programs in sustainability at Golisano Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology.
- The Golisano Institute for Sustainability was formed in 2007 following a $10 million gift from entrepreneur B. Thomas Golisano. The institute focuses on research and education in sustainable production, environmental policy, sustainable business development and alternative energy, building on more than a decade of applied research by RIT's Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies.
Relevant Documents: