Energy Innovation
The Greater Rochester, NY region has a fully integrated supply chain to support energy innovation companies.
Experience World-Renowned Energy Innovation in Greater Rochester, NY
Whether it’s fuel cell technology, solar energy, wind energy, or energy storage, our assets are perfectly aligned to support energy innovations. Here in the Greater Rochester, NY region, we have nearly 3x the national average for employees with high-tech, precision manufacturing expertise. Our skilled workforce is adept at managing complex electro-mechanical and chemical products. We also have university-led research and development already underway to find smarter energy solutions.
Rochester has a fully integrated supply chain to support R&D, prototyping, testing, and production to turn your energy innovation into reality.
High-Powered Resources
Golisano Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology offers world-class sustainability and clean energy R&D.
The Battery Prototyping Center at Rochester Institute of Technology focuses on the development of emerging energy storage technologies.
Kodak Pilot Coating and Production-Scale Manufacturing for development and commercialization of substrates for batteries, fuel cells, and photovoltaic films.
DNV GL’s Best Test & Commercialization Center at Eastman Business Park is a joint venture with NY Battery and Energy Storage Technology consortium, which helps companies develop and commercialize emerging technologies, offering essential product testing and qualification.
The rich agricultural base in the Greater 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.
| NOTABLE BIOFUELS / BIOMASS COMPANIES |
|---|
| SweetWater Energy | Produces nano-fibrillated cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sugars, and clean lignin from non-food plant materials. |
| Synergy Biogas LLC – Synergy Dairy | Produces renewable energy by anaerobically digesting manure |
| Western New York Energy | First biofuel plant in the Northeastern United States, annually producing 60 million gallons of ethanol. |
The Greater Rochester, NY region has a battery and energy storage ecosystem, from state-of-the-art product development facilities, to innovative start-ups, world-class research institutions, leading companies and a skilled workforce.
The Greater Rochester, NY region is home to many members of the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY+BEST), established to help position New York as a global leader in energy storage technology for heavy-duty transportation, electric grid, and other applications. Regional companies and universities are involved in a variety of energy storage R&D or commercialization projects.
The Kodak Cell Assembly Center at Eastman Business Park, created in partnership with the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY BEST), completes an ecosystem of three core processes for energy storage manufacturing, providing coating, assembly, and testing all in one location.
| NOTABLE ENERGY STORAGE COMPANIES |
|---|
| Li-Cycle Corporation | Leading lithium-ion battery resource recovery company. |
| Sionic Energy | Commercializing high energy, long life, and more durable lithium-ion battery technology portable electronics, vehicles, and industrial applications. |
| Progressive Machine and Design | Creates advanced and traditional battery manufacturing, assembly, and test systems |
| Ultralife Corporation | Integrates battery and ultra-capacitor on a common power circuit, serving two renewable-energy generation sources. |
| Xactiv | Developed intellectual property related to the use of nanomaterials in renewable energy systems and has also partnered with the University of Rochester to begin commercialization of these new developments, in areas including lithium-ion batteries and lithium primary batteries. |
Companies such as Plug have tapped into the Greater Rochester, NY region’s talented workforce and ready-to-use lab space at facilities like Eastman Business Park. We’re also home to a clean energy business incubator, and one of the nation’s premier Hydrogen Technology Learning Centers at Rochester Institute of Technology.
| NOTABLE FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES and SUPPLIERS |
|---|
| Advanced Interconnect Manufacturing | Supplier of wire harness and electromechanical assemblies to the rail, bus and recreational vehicle manufacturers. |
| EMF, a Dynasil Company | Commercial high-volume and large format optical coating solutions to support fuel cell R&D |
| Plug | Provider of clean hydrogen and zero-emission fuel cell solutions |
| Progressive Machine and Design | Fuel cell line manufacturing and test systems |
| Solid Cell | Developing fuel cell components |
The Greater Rochester, NY Region is a leading hotspot for Energy Innovation, with a skilled workforce and more than a century of experience in materials and precision manufacturing.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has research and development underway at its NanoPower Research Labs to support the solar energy sector. Another major university in our region, University of Rochester, is participating in federal programs to develop new solar energy technologies.
Local area employers, Eastman Kodak, and Xerox have spawned a technologically savvy workforce well versed in managing thin films, which are critical to the development of next-generation alternative energy materials such as thin-film membranes for solar applications. Eastman Kodak is leveraging its expertise for conductive films used in the flexible electronics and solar film markets.
| NOTABLE SOLAR ENERGY COMPANIES |
|---|
| GreenSpark Solar | Residential, community, and commercial solar provider |
| Progressive Machine and Design | Automated assembly, process, testing, and inspection systems |
| Rochester Solar Technologies | Turnkey solar energy solutions |
| Transcat Inc. | Wind, solar, and PV energy test equipment and in-lab calibration services |
| Trident Precision Manufacturing | Precision machining and fabrication; Solar energy components |
In addition, the Greater Rochester, NY Region is a world leader in optics, a key component for developing next-generation solar applications.
- More than 120 optics companies are in Rochester, including Bausch & Lomb, CooperVision, and Optimax
- World-class optics education programs, research labs, and facilities
- 60% of the world’s optics Ph.D. degrees are conferred by the University of Rochester
The Greater Rochester, NY region has a strong supplier base that includes more than 100 companies with related expertise to support wind turbine manufacturing.
Gleason Works, one of Rochester’s oldest manufacturers, is a leader in the design, application, testing, analysis and production of gears. Gleason manufactures specialized gears for the wind energy industry.
Notable Local Companies
| WIND ENERGY COMPANIES |
|---|
| Ametek | Electronic instruments and electromechanical devices |
| Gleason | Engineering; gear solutions; production equipment manufacturing; wind turbine supply chain |
| Gorbel | Cranes and lifting devices for wind energy industry |
| Lapp Insulators | Manufacturer and supplier of high voltage insulators; Wind energy components |
| O’Connell Electric | Turnkey electrical construction solutions for wind power generation facilities |
| Progressive Machine and Design | Automated assembly, process, testing, and inspection systems; Wind energy components |
| Transcat Inc. | Wind, solar, and PV energy test equipment and in-lab calibration services |
| Trident Precision Manufacturing | Precision machining and fabrication; Wind energy components |
| Vance Metal Fabricators | Large-capacity metal fabricator and weld shop; Wind energy components |
There are several wind farms in Rochester’s Wyoming County, with a combined capacity to generate 517 MW of power and serve more than 131,000 homes.
- Invenergy’s Stoney Creek Wind Farm: 38 wind turbines, 94.4 MW, serving 37,000 homes
- Invenergy’s High Sheldon Wind Farm: 85 wind turbines, 112.5 MW, serving 25,000 homes
- Noble Bliss Wind Farm: 67 wind turbines, 100.5 MW
- Noble Wethersfield Wind Park: 84 wind turbines, 123 MW, serving 42,500 homes
- Wethersfield Wind Farm: 10 wind turbines, 6.6 MW, serving 3,200 homes
| Position | Rochester Annual Mean Wage | National Annual Mean Wage | Rochester Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $155,940 | $172,290 | 9.5% |
| Chemical Engineers | $82,750 | $122,910 | 32.7% |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,710 | $74,440 | 9.0% |
| Electrical Engineers | $103,530 | $117,680 | 12.0% |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $40,700 | $43,740 | 7.0% |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $101,750 | $124,190 | 18.1% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $59,880 | $75,290 | 20.5% |
| Engineers, All Other | $107,820 | $118,350 | 8.9% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $76,380 | $79,020 | 3.3% |
| Industrial Engineers | $98,090 | $103,150 | 4.9% |
| Mechanical Drafters | $64,850 | $69,920 | 7.3% |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,940 | $67,990 | 4.5% |
| Mechanical Engineers | $92,610 | $105,220 | 12.0% |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $93,550 | $100,580 | 7.0% |
| Physicists | $137,850 | $158,270 | 12.9% |
| Production Workers, All Other | $37,700 | $41,000 | 8.0% |
| Sales Engineers | $110,660 | $125,460 | 11.7% |
| Software Developers | $115,160 | $138,110 | 16.6% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $100,190 | $108,460 | 7.6% |
Relevant Documents
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
Greater Rochester, New York’s Key Industries
Encompassing everything from precision-engineered technologies to the next breakthroughs in your favorite foods and beverages, the Rochester region has it all.
Greater Rochester, NY – Where smart people live and smart businesses grow.
Among many great options, none could match Rochester in terms of talent, local supplier networks, and opportunities to partner with top-tier research institutions.
Andy Marsh
CEO, Plug Power
Contact Us
Learn more about the latest energy innovation opportunities in Rochester, NY or contact us to grow your business.
Photo by Ed Welch Photography
Thank You To Our Investors
High tech companies know Rochester as the optics mecca in the United States.
Matt Sydor
Vice President, Sales and Compliance, Sydor Optics
At Toyota Material Handling North America, which is comprised of two main group companies – Toyota Material Handling and The Raymond Corporation – we are committed to leading the way in energy innovation. We believe that the Greater Rochester, NY region shares that commitment, and is the ideal location to establish our cutting-edge energy storage and fuel cell development center.”
Jennifer Lupo
Vice President of Energy Solutions, Supply Chain, and Leasing, The Raymond Corporation
Rochester has a great work base. They’re loyal. They’re smart. They’re well educated and they want to succeed.
Jim Continenza
Executive Chairman and CEO, Eastman Kodak
We keep and maintain and are investing specifically in Rochester because that is where the talent is. We don’t succeed without the right talent.
David Velasquez
Vice President and General Manager, Corning Incorporated
Rochester has the manufacturing capability, testing capability, and intellectual horsepower.
Matt Fronk
Past Chairman, NY BEST
Rochester has a deep talent pool around all of the things that we need to do to commercialize advanced materials for the energy economy.
Ben Britton
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Ionomr
The decision to expand locally was a relatively easy one for CooperVision. The Rochester area has provided so many of the elements necessary for a successful operation.
Jerry Warner
President, CooperVision
The proximity to top colleges and industry-leading companies, in addition to the quality of life in Western New York, made the decision to open our second office in Rochester an easy one.
Mike Pinch
Director, Security Risk Advisors
“Rochester is world famous for precision optics manufacturing and photonics.”
Jennifer Cable
President, Thorlabs
We have a long history of people skilled in aerospace technology and precision optical assembly. We take advantage of the industrial base in the Rochester area. We also take advantage of the skill sets developed by our local technical institutions like MCC, RIT, or the University of Rochester.”
Tony Whitman
Cryogenic Optical Test Director for James Webb Space Telescope, L3 Harris
We have inherited an exceptional quality of life thanks to an impressive cluster of cultural organizations, unparalleled natural resources, and a resilient and welcoming spirit of community.
David Munson
President, Rochester Insititute of Technology
Once people get here and their families get used to short commute times, low home prices, the fact we have all kinds of recreational sporting activities, the quality of schools, they don’t want to leave.
Arunas Chesonis
CEO and Chairman, Sweetwater Energy
Rochester has provided ID Signsystems with the ability to grow and develop by tapping into the region’s large pool of design-focused talent, technicians, engineers and sign makers.
Paul Dudley
President, ID Signsystems
Our network of local universities, colleges, and optics companies has created a workforce pipeline that is unmatched anywhere in the United States.
Joseph Spilman
President, Optimax
GRE’s direction and guidance proved to be well worth our investment. Their passion to make the business environment in the Rochester area greater is very apparent.
Scott MacCaull
Workplace Interiors
There is unlimited, untapped technical talent in the area and I hope we start a wave of other companies moving to Rochester.
Austin McChord
Founder, Datto
Rochester has a long history of being a hub for telecommunications. There is a rich ecosystem of talent and services to support business growth.
Jai Ramachandran
Founder and CEO, Wire3
Rochester is the perfect size city to get business done. I’m always one connection away from anything I’m looking for.
Zack Phillips
President, Kink BMX
We have access to talent graduating from our businesses and technical institutions capable of perpetuating our success for years to come.
Marc Iacona
President & CEO, Simcona Electronics
The Rochester region provided convenient access to both railroads and major highways, as well as proximity to Barilla’s customer base in the Northeast.
Fabio Pettenati
Vice President of Supply Chain, Barilla America
We’re excited about this area. There’s high-quality milk in the region. There’s a lot of top talent. The industry, the innovation, the technical experience , the work ethic is all attractive to us.
Phil LaMothe
Vice President of Manufacturing, fairlife
The country is starting to recognize Rochester as a technical city outside of just software. We have optics and manufacturing that’s exceeding most of the baselines around the country.
Craig Lamb
Co-owner, Envative
Rochester has the resources optics companies need to transform their concepts into reality.
Dr. Duncan T. Moore
Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship and Professor of Optical Engineering
Rochester has a great base of intellectual capital in the science and technology fields at local businesses and universities.
Daniel J. Burns
Area Executive for Upstate NY, Western NY, and Pennsylvania, M&T Bank Corporation
We’ve developed vaccines to prevent cervical cancer right here in Rochester.
Peter Robinson
Vice President and COO, University of Rochester Medical Center
Among many great options, none could match Rochester in terms of talent, local supplier networks, and opportunities to partner with top-tier research institutions.
Andy Marsh
CEO, Plug Power