Old Westbury, NY – Drone technology, regional transportation challenges, and innovations in alternative fuels and equipment are the focus of New York Institute of Technology's 2014 Energy Conference on June 12 at NYIT de Seversky Mansion.

The daylong conference features a student-led drone demonstration, Tesla cars available for test drives, and eight experts who will touch on various energy technology and transportation issues. Registration is required.

"The quality of life, of public health, an assured robust economy—ineed all aspects of our existence on Long Island and any suburban area, depend upon the efficient transport of people, goods and services," said NYIT Associate Professor and conference co-organizer Laurence Silverstein. "This conference brings together experts who will present their views on the multi-dimensional challenges that await us and their suggestions on how we might solve these issues."

NYIT's School of Engineering and Computing Sciences has organized annual energy conferences since 2003, covering topics that have included extreme weather, sustainability, offshore energy, and "off the grid" technologies.

"We are particularly excited about the participation of Tesla Motors Corporation, an acknowledged leader in 21st-century transportation technology," said Silverstein. "Several of their famous, highly regarded, electric Model S vehicles will be on display throughout most of the day and attendees will have the opportunity to take test drives."

Conference attendees will also see NYIT mechanical engineering students demonstrate consumer-level drones controllable with smartphones or tablets, as well as "The Osprey," a six-rotor drone they constructed.

"Our students will showcase drones in action and explain their possibilities in solving transportation challenges, especially in underserved areas where roads and transportation infrastructure are badly damaged, totally destroyed, or simply non-existent," said Silverstein.

The 2014 conference includes the following presentations and speakers:

• Transportation Challenges and Solutions – Martin R. Cantor, Ph.D., CPA, Director, Long Island Center for Socio-Economic Policy
• Planning for the Future – Long Island Rail Road, Brenden D. Duffy
• Transportation-Oriented Planning in Nassau County – Aryeh Lemberger, Nassau County Department of Public Works
• The Evolution of Drone Technology – Mary Cummings, Ph.D., Director, Humans & Automation Laboratory, Duke University
• Delivering Services in Remote Areas – Paola Santana, Esq., Matternet, Singularity University
• Natural Gas Fueling Stations – Ken Daly, President, National Grid New York
• Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure – Jessica Harrison, DNV-GL
• The Next Generation of Green Vehicles – Joseph Ambrosio, Chief Technical Officer, Unique Technical Services, LLC

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New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) offers 90 degree programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, in more than 50 fields of study, including architecture and design; arts and sciences; education; engineering and computing sciences; health professions; management; and osteopathic medicine. A non-profit independent, private institution of higher education, NYIT has 13,000 students attending campuses on Long Island and Manhattan, online, and at its global campuses. NYIT sponsors 11 NCAA Division II programs and one Division I team.

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