Key Capture Energy captures first High Peaks Impact Award.

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Key Capture Energy won the first annual High Peaks Impact Award presented by the SUNY Albany Business School Friday, Oct. 15 at the Massry Center on the main campus. The award is given to a business that shows a dedication to ESG—or Environment, Social and Governance principles—in the design and operations of the company. The focus of the award is on companies in the Capital Region and north that work to improve their environmental impact, their social contract and follow governmental regulations. It borrows its name from the tallest mountains in the Adirondacks.

The award capped a day-long symposium on ESG, covering topics from how best to financially value an ESG company, how ESG can be incorporated into the company’s “ecosystem” and how profit can still be had even with an eye toward social, environmental and governmental responsibility.

“Thank you all for participating in this community celebration of ESG,” the University at Albany President  Havidán Rodríguez told those gathered. “We are very, very pleased to be hosting this symposium at the University at Albany and equally proud to launch the High Impact Awards tonight.”

“Companies can pursue profits...but they must also have a purpose to serve the greater good and to serve our communities,” Rodríguez said, echoing a theme of the day before announcing the winner. “The High Peaks Impact Awards is part of this goal.”

Key Capture Energy was one of three finalists who were alerted to their status before the ceremony, and each was given a few minutes to explain to those who gathered what it was they felt brought them to the top tier of the competition. More than a dozen companies in the Capital Region or further north, were nominated.

Speaking for Key Capture Energy, based in Albany, Taylor Quarles, the director of development, explained that his company is in the business of storing energy and helping in the transition away from carbon-based fuels. As the country and world use more solar and wind energy, power companies must have a way to capture that energy and store it for use, for instance, at night when the sun is not producing solar. 

The company has two large projects in the state that store electricity in a lithium-ion system that is much larger than, but not terribly different from, the battery in a smartphone.

As well, the company used data to locate the storage facilities, Quarles said, which helped the state Department of Environmental Conservation displace other power plants and reach lower nitrous oxide emission levels, which often disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color, he said.

Moving forward, Key Capture Energy plans to “work in partnership and harmony with renewable [energy] players, state players and also...those communities...which are currently disadvantaged by the electric system," Quarles said. The other two finalists were Davies Office and Vyv.

Davies Office focuses on remanufacture and refurbishment of office furniture, from chairs to wall panels. It is also known for being an early adopter employee-ownership in the company and for covering 100% of their employees’ health insurance premiums.

Vyv, the third company, is a market leader in antimicrobial LED lighting for homes, public places and industry. Their lights are used in any number of locations, such as hospital rooms and food processing centers, where cleanliness is mandatory.

SK-ENS, a sub-group SK Group of South Korea recently acquired the Key Capture Energy. They are power company that has clear ESG goals and has signed on to the United Nations global compact, Quarles said.

“We’re very excited to have both been selected by SK and also to have selected them as our next partner,” Quarles told the gathering.

Friday’s was the first annual awards ceremony, but it will not be the last, Nilanjan Sen, dean of the School of Business said. He announced next year’s date as Oct. 15. About 100 business leaders, academics and students attended the event.

Although the event is owned and hosted by the UAlbany School of Business, many businesses including Amy Ryan and ESG Strategies of Saratoga Springs volunteered efforts to bring the awards together. Also volunteering: Audra Higgins of Simmons Capitol Group. Rose Miller of GTM Payroll Services; Christian Grieco of Optimus One; Paul Stewart and Rose Bordett of Community Loan Fund; Mario Cometti of ESG Strategies and Cometti Law Firm. 

Corporate sponsors, included the School of Business, the NYS Writers Institute, the Center of Advancement & Understanding of Social Enterprises and the University at Albany Foundation, Tony DeFazio of Sustainable PR in Glens Falls, and Kate Austin-Avon of Advokate of Glens Falls.