ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Willdan Group, Inc. ("Willdan") (NASDAQ:WLDN) announced today
the award of eight community microgrid feasibility studies for the
villages of Westfield, Bath, Arcade, Sleepy Hollow, Geneseo and
Tarrytown, NY; and the cities of Plattsburgh and Rochester, NY.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced awards to 83 communities in July.
Willdan submitted eight proposals and received awards on all eight.
A microgrid is a resilient electric power generation and distribution
network that can disconnect from the traditional grid and operate
autonomously to minimize or eliminate power outages. Microgrids are a
key component of Governor Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision (REV)
strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for
all New Yorkers (https://www.ny.gov/REV4NY).
"Willdan looks forward to leveraging our microgrid center of excellence
to improve system reliability in New York State," said Tom Brisbin, CEO
of Willdan. "As a company, we have invested significant resources to
build our microgrid capability, including the addition to our board of
leading microgrid expert Dr. Mohammad Shahidehpour, Director of the
Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation at the Illinois Institute of
Technology (IIT), and recruiting microgrid specialists into our ranks
across the country."
Willdan's thought leaders also include Dr. Steven A. Cohen, Willdan
board member and Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of
Columbia University's Earth Institute. Staff experts are Schuyler
Matteson, PhD, battery storage specialist and graduate of Rochester
Institute of Technology; Mehdi Ganji, PhD, microgrid electrical expert
and graduate of IIT; and Zachary Suttile, MPA, graduate of Columbia
University's Environmental Science and Policy program.
The studies are supported by the New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority (NYSERDA) as part of Governor Cuomo's NY Prize
competition, an innovative $40 million competition designed to help
communities across New York reduce costs, promote clean energy, and
build reliability and resiliency into the electric grid.
"The Village of Westfield Electric Department is looking forward to our
NY Prize Feasibility Study results to evaluate microgrid economics that
will improve our system reliability and resiliency in the event of a
bulk supply outage. We look forward to working with Willdan on the study
and appreciate their support for our application," said Andrew Thompson,
Director of Westfield's Department of Public Works.
"Bath Electric, Gas & Water Systems is appreciative of the NY Prize
Feasibility Study award from NYSERDA, as we look to create and establish
a sustainable and resilient microgrid within our electric system. The
collaboration with Willdan on the application and now the feasibility
study is helpful to our implementation plans and to create a model that
can be duplicated in other communities," said Guy Hallgren, Director of
Municipal Utilities in Bath.
Willdan will work with the local electric and gas distribution
companies, municipal governments and stakeholders to ensure the
sustained operation of mission-critical facilities such as police and
fire stations, schools, and water treatment facilities. In addition to
increasing power reliability, the microgrids will seek to increase
safety, reduce energy costs, resolve existing system constraints, and
reduce dependency on bulk power providers. The study will also analyze
integrating key distributed energy resources such as power generators,
combined heat and power (CHP) systems, and renewables into the microgrid.
"New York is a leader in sustainability and NY Prize is a cutting-edge
initiative that will be a powerful tool in building grid resiliency
across the state," said Frank Evans, Vice President of Willdan's
Northeast Region. "We are privileged to work with NYSERDA, utilizing our
microgrid technology expertise to develop tailored strategies for these
communities."
About Willdan
Willdan provides professional consulting and technical services to
utilities, public agencies and private industry throughout the United
States. The Company's service offerings span a broad set of
complementary disciplines that include energy efficiency and
sustainability, engineering and planning, financial and economic
consulting, and national preparedness. Willdan provides integrated
technical solutions to extend the reach and resources of its clients,
and provides all services through its subsidiaries specialized in each
segment. For additional information, visit Willdan's website at www.willdan.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not purely historical,
including statements regarding Willdan's intentions, hopes, beliefs,
expectations, representations, projections, estimates, plans or
predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including,
but not limited to, the risk that Willdan will not be able to expand its
services or meet the needs of customers in markets in which it operates.
It is important to note that Willdan's actual results could differ
materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are
not limited to, a slowdown in the local and regional economies of the
states where Willdan conducts business and the loss of or inability to
hire additional qualified professionals. Willdan's business could be
affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed
from time to time in Willdan's SEC reports including, but not limited
to, the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended January 2,
2015. Willdan cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Willdan
disclaims any obligation to, and does not undertake to, update or revise
any forward-looking statements in this press release.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150806006619/en/
Willdan Contact
Stacy McLaughlin
Chief Financial Officer
Tel:
714-940-6300
or
Financial Profiles, Inc.
Moira Conlon
Tel:
310-478-2700
mconlon@finprofiles.com
Source: Willdan Group, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media