The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced the appointment of Donovan Gordon as Director of Renewable Thermal, where he will lead efforts to develop markets that support clean, high-efficiency, renewable thermal systems, including solar cooling, heating and hot water; air and ground source heat pumps, and wood-fired heating systems.

NYSERDA’s Renewable Thermal initiative is part of a Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), a strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. Expanding markets for renewable thermal products and systems will create new opportunities for consumers to utilize clean, sustainable, locally-produced energy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and can lower energy bills.

“NYSERDA is committed to expanding innovative energy programs like renewable thermal that will help build a clean, robust energy sector that benefits all New Yorkers,” said John B. Rhodes, president and CEO, NYSERDA. “Donovan Gordon has a strong track record in promoting renewable and sustainable energy projects, and his skills, industry experience and leadership will advance New York’s energy goals, spur business growth and job creation, and protect our environment.”

As Director of Renewable Thermal, Gordon will oversee a dedicated team to help companies develop and implement renewable, low-carbon cooling and heating systems. This initiative is a critical component of NYSERDA’s strategy to enable net-zero energy buildings, which produce the same amount of energy as they consume. It also will further advance New York’s progress toward creating self-sustaining energy markets for clean, renewable technologies.

“Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision initiative has established very ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies,” Donovan Gordon said. “Renewable Thermal technologies will play a significant role in addressing each of these goals, and I look forward to working with all the key stakeholders in New York State to develop programs and support projects to help achieve these goals and lead to a better quality of life for New Yorkers.”

Gordon has more than 28 years of experience in business development, market and strategic planning, and consulting, and has worked with local governments, geothermal and solar installation companies, colleges and universities, and school districts. He most recently served as executive director for the Long Island Geothermal Energy Organization (LI-GEO) and president of D. Gordon Consulting Inc., a firm that provided project management and consulting services on issues involving sustainability, renewable energy (geothermal and solar) and S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) Project-Based-Learning Education Programs for grades K-12. He also was a founding member of the New York Geothermal Energy Organization (NY-GEO).

Gordon is accredited as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate and International Ground Sources Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) Geothermal Installer. He has a bachelor of science degree in Business Management from St. Francis College and earned a master of business administration (MBA) from New York University, Stern School of Business.

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About Reforming the Energy Vision
Under Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), New York State is spurring clean energy innovation and attracting new investment to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. REV encompasses groundbreaking regulatory reform to integrate clean energy into the core of our power grid, redesigned programs and strategies to unlock private capital, and active leadership in deploying innovative energy solutions across the State’s own public facilities and operations. REV will enable a dynamic, clean energy economy operating at a scale that will stimulate opportunities for communities across the state to create jobs and drive local economic growth, while protecting our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

Successful initiatives already launched as part of REV include NY Sun, NY Green Bank, NY Prize, K-Solar, and a commitment to improve energy affordability for low-income communities.

To learn more about REV, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY.


About NYSERDA
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975. To learn more about NYSERDA’s programs and funding opportunities, visit http://nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram.