City of Buffalo Energy Master Plan

Energy Master Plan for the City of Buffalo

CORE performed energy planning and coordination services as a subcontractor to Wendel Companies for the New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) City of Buffalo (COB) Energy Master Plan. Phase I of the plan included CORE’s involvement in stakeholder engagement meetings to pool relevant energy related programs, costs, and initiatives. The stakeholders included COB Department of Public Works (DPW ), COB Office of Strategic Planning, COB Street Lighting, COB Fleet Services, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, WNY Energy Alliance, Erie County DPW, Buffalo Urban Development Corporation, Buffalo Public Schools, Buffalo Sewer Authority, and the Buffalo Fire Department. CORE also met with the City of Buffalo’s energy procurement agent, Energy Advantage, to gain relevant data pertaining to the City’s load profiles.

In Phase II, data collected in Phase I was analyzed to determine the City’s current and future energy costs. In addition, a market analysis of the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) was performed. NYISO is a not-for-profit corporation responsible for operating New York State’s bulk electricity grid, administering New York’s competitive wholesale electricity markets, conducting comprehensive long-term planning for the state’s electric power system, and advancing the technological infrastructure of the electric system. CORE conducted the market analysis using rate structures for electricity and natural gas that were forecasted to the year 2030 to determine areas of improvement to the City’s business-as-usual scenario.

CORE developed energy procurement goals and recommendations in Phase III. CORE assisted Wendel in presenting these to City managers and stakeholders in order to gain relevant insight into the benefits or downfalls experienced in the past by stakeholders. CORE assisted Wendel in preparation of the Energy Master Plan final document.