Quidnet Energy, which has an office in Saratoga Springs, has achieved two key milestones in its projects with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technology Office (WPTO) and Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E), to commercialize the company’s geomechanical pumped storage (GPS) technology.

Quidnet partnered with the WPTO through its HydroWIRES Initiative to develop an innovative reversible injector-generator that will enable deployment of modular hydropower conversion in high-pressure pumped hydro applications such as for Quidnet’s GPS technology. The milestone was achieved by the completion of system-level design and engineering as well as testing of key operating components in an industrial machining facility in New York state, officials said.

Quidnet pumps water underground and stores it in-between layers of rock. The natural elasticity of the rock performs like a spring and holds the water under pressure until it is needed, at which time it is released through a hydroelectric turbine to produce electricity to send back to the grid.

Quidnet is working with ARPA-E through their Duration Addition to electricitY Storage (DAYS) program to develop the GPS resource in key power markets across the U.S. by planning and executing exploratory wells to characterize, evaluate, and validate this geologic resource.

By Jill Nagy

Cynthia Romano had her eye on space in the basement of a new shopping center. She thought it would make a nice artist’s studio.

Then, the idea “just grew,” and she is now developing a gallery, a studio, and a teaching area at Rexford Landing, a shopping center that her husband, Bob Romano, is building on Grooms Road in Rexford.

The business will be called the Blooming Artist.

“It’s going well but everything takes so much time,” Romano said, but “I am not rushing to open.”  For one thing, she would like a pre-COVID style opening with live people walking around and socializing. She is aiming for a June opening date.

The gallery itself will be on the main floor of the building. She foresees exhibiting the work of six or seven established local artists at a time in the main gallery. Work by other, “up and coming,” artists will be hung in the lobby. For  opening receptions, Romano will open the doors between the gallery and the lobby. How often to change shows is, she said, “a big question.” For now, she contemplates keeping each show up for four to six weeks and then closing down for two weeks to freshen up the space and hang the next show.

A second floor room with a huge picture window will, at her husband’s suggestion, be devoted to  painting and pottery classes. She also plans a framing studio in that space and a shop selling specialized art supplies.

Jolt Consulting Group LLC in Saratoga Springs and Forcivity Inc.,  B2B technology consulting companies, announced plans to merge their businesses.

The company will operate under the Forcivity name. Forcivity offices are in Manchester, N.H.

Jeff Oskin, founder and CEO of Jolt, has been named CEO and Steve Baines, founder and CEO of Forcivity, has been named president and chief growth officer.

“Combined under the Forcivity brand, we will draw on our decades of experience to push the boundaries of customer experience and remain focused on delivering outstanding technology capabilities and best-practices to our customers,” said Oskin.

The organizations are combining to capitalize on shared strengths, skills, and values that will help accelerate growth and make an impact in a strong market within the industry.

Saratoga Economic Development Corp. will host the 2021 Economic Summit, a virtual conference, on Tuesday, May 18, via Zoom.

The conference will run from 1-3:30 p.m.

Dennis Brobston, SEDC president, said the 2021 summit with top business and county leaders as presenters will focus on the current state of affairs surrounding infrastructure in Saratoga County. The summit will provide community resources, information and organizational knowledge for sustaining our region’s quality of life and competitiveness.

Presenters will cover essential topics for attracting, expanding and retaining industry. They will discuss existing capacity issues and outline processes for expansion of current systems as well as timeline concerns for growth.

With decades of experience as the driving force of economic growth and retention for a variety of industries in Saratoga County, SEDC has a true understanding of what is needed for the development and retention process, said Brobston. 

“This year, as we strategize with our community partners and continue to promote, retain and grow our region’s economic vitality, we present this economic development summit to inform, engage and connect you with current processes, policies, forecasts and timelines for industrial and operational development investments,” he said.