Key Capture Energy Participates in SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Energy Storage Technology Workforce Training Program

Last month, Key Capture Energy (KCE) team members Taylor Quarles and Jim Vopelius donated their time and knowledge to the SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s (SUNY Poly) Energy Storage Technology Workforce Training Program, a two-week program offered in the Summer and Fall of 2021. The  workshop, put on in partnership between the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and SUNY Poly, covered the basics of energy storage technologies, giving students an understanding of battery cell manufacturing and introducing them to the skills needed to manage storage assets and innovate in the technology field. Members of the KCE team, along with other industry experts, provided instruction and insight on New York’s energy storage industry and clean energy economy.

Taylor, KCE’s Director of Development, taught participants on the subject of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) market analysis and assessment, while Jim, KCE’s Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality (HSEQ) Director, presented on HSEQ standards, processes, and procedures. Workshop participants then traveled to a live project site tour of New York’s current largest operating battery owned and operated by KCE, NY 1. Jim Brown, KCE’s Director of Projects, walked students through the project components and explained the technology.

This program is a great example of how partnerships between high tech public institutions and leading-edge private companies are helping meet the need for skilled workers in the energy storage and clean energy industry by providing the necessary technical training. The energy storage ecosystem in Albany is rich and diverse, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to play an important role in supporting the local energy workforce of the future.

KCE currently has more than 900 MW of projects under development in New York and employs 48 employees, with 22 of those based in the company’s downtown Albany headquarters. Since the company was founded in 2016, as part of New York State’s START-UP NY program, administered by Empire State Development, Key Capture Energy has hired 5 University at Albany alums and 8 students from University at Albany as interns, 2 of which are now full-time employees. We are proud to have the ability to hire talented graduates of the SUNY system to assist with meeting New York’s commitment to a carbon-free electric system and look forward to continuing to participate in energy storage educational efforts and support workforce development across the state.