National Grid, new Terawatt Sponsor, meets member companies at Greentown Labs
On March 10, 2014, National Grid’s, Tim Bradley (Technology Manager) and Neil Hughes (Head of Technology) visited Greentown Labs from their U.K. headquarters and met with member companies at Greentown Labs to learn about technologies and explore future possibilities for pilot collaboration.
As Greentown Labs’ newest sponsor, Bradley and Hughes of National Grid got an early look at some innovative and building efficiency technologies and solutions from Building Envelope Materials, Crowd Solar, Crowd Comfort, and Save Energy Systems. They also tested Wristify’s wearable technology prototype that is being developed to address individual thermal comfort.
Member companies that pitched that day got insights into National Grid’s business needs, challenges and opportunities. They learned about the company’s energy initiatives and priorities. They are also receiving help with introductions to local National Grid representatives that can increase the speed of doing business with a large company.
Paul Laskow, CEO of Save Energy Systems, was one of the Greentown Labs members that met with National Grid during the visit. According to Paul, “National Grid was able to provide some valuable insights as to what they are looking for as an international energy provider. I’m looking forward to hearing from them as to the best path to take regarding interacting with the local entities.”
Bradley and Hughes continuously evaluate potential technologies that address energy efficiency and energy management and may be incorporated into their business model.
National Grid is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
National Grid is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society – to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. They are very clear on the challenges we face regarding climate change and energy. Greentown Labs, as a hotbed for these technologies, therefore seems the perfect place for future technology identification.
“Greentown Labs seeks strategic partners like National Grid that can help move our companies from prototype to first customers, serve as pilot customers, and invest in new technologies. If there is a mutual fit, it will no doubt be discovered,” said Mark Vasu, Greentown Labs Executive Vice President.