Intertek Recognized by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for Strategic Renewable Energy Investment

08 May 2012

1st East Coast Solar Testing Lab to Open at Intertek site in Cortland, New York; One-of-a-Kind Wind Turbine Blade Test Facility to Launch at Clarkson University.

Arlington Heights, IL – Intertek (LSE: ITRK), a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world, today announced that plans for its recent award from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will be used for the creation of a photovoltaic (PV) and wind equipment test facility.

Intertek was awarded $4.2 million from NYSERDA as part of its strategic investment in the renewable energy sector in New York State.  In addition to building the PV and wind laboratories, Intertek will partner with several regional leaders including Clarkson University, AWS TruePower of Albany, Rochester Institute of Technology, Alfred State College and Binghamton University. Together, this group will create a formal alliance to lead the Center for Evaluation of Clean Energy Technology (CeCeT).

CeCeT is in the process of establishing its membership and will function as an organization that seeks to benefit manufacturers of clean energy technology by providing access to testing equipment and expertise.  The new PV and wind test centers will operate as the core of CeCeT’s network of renewable energy resources.  Additionally, locating an accredited PV testing lab at Intertek’s Cortland, New York facility will make it easier and more efficient for local manufacturers to get products certified and ready for market.

“Wind and solar power are two energy resources in New York State’s diverse portfolio that help the state reach its renewable energy goals. NYSERDA is proud to support this exciting project, which will improve our understanding of how renewable energy technology performs in real-world situations,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “There also is a market need for industry standards, and these sites will encourage innovation, accelerate commercialization and help drive down the cost of the equipment.”

Leading the CeCeT strategic partnership on behalf of Intertek is David Gower, Executive Director. “This project will help further growth in the solar power and wind turbine industries through the creation of these test centers,” said Sunny Rai, Regional Vice President, Renewable Energy, Intertek, “CeCeT, under the capable leadership of David Gower, will assist Intertek’s existing and future customers by providing additional services to help clean energy technologies enter the market.”

Funding for the project, shared by Intertek and the CeCeT partners, will primarily cover test equipment purchases, such as sun-simulators, environmental chambers, monitoring and mechanical load testing equipment.  The two new testing facilities and the CeCeT entity will result in the creation of jobs, spanning qualifications from an H.S. diploma to a PhD.  For more information about CeCeT visit www.intertek.com/cecet/. 

For Media Inquiries:

Cassie Biscanin
PR Manager, Intertek Group, Americas Region
Direct: +1 713.543.3775
Email: cassandra.biscanin@intertek.com

For Market Inquiries:

Nicole Monaco
Marketing Manager
Direct +1 847-871-1029
Email: nicole.monaco@intertek.com

About Intertek

Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and 30,000 people in over 100 countries around the world.  Intertek Group plc (LSE: ITRK) is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.  Visit: www.intertek.com