New York Governor Kathy Hochul (pictured) has announced a new framework for the state to operate 6GW of energy storage by 2030.
The roadmap was submitted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) to the Public Service Commission for consideration of approval.
It proposes a number of recommendations to expand New York’s energy storage programs to unlock the rapid growth of renewable energy across the state and bolster grid reliability and customer resilience, NYSERDA said.
If approved, the roadmap will support a buildout of storage deployments estimated to reduce projected future statewide electric system costs by nearly $2bn, in addition to further benefits in the form of improved public health because of reduced exposure to harmful fossil fuel pollutants.
It proposes the implementation of NYSERDA-led programs towards procuring an additional 4.7GW of new storage projects across the bulk (large-scale), retail (community, commercial and industrial), and residential energy storage sectors in New York State.
These future procurements, combined with the 1.3GW of existing energy storage already under contract with the state and moving towards commercial operation, will allow New York to achieve the 6GW goal by 2030.
NYSERDA stated that, along with the DPS, it carefully assessed potential market reforms and cost-effective procurement mechanisms to achieve 6GW and identified research and development needs to accelerate technology innovation, particularly for long-duration storage.
The agencies also considered approaches to energy storage development in a way that advances the elimination of the state’s most polluting fossil fuel power plants, as proposed by Governor Hochul in her 2022 State of the State address.
Governor Hochul said: “Storing clean, renewable energy and delivering it where and when it is needed is one of the most critical challenges we must overcome to reduce statewide emissions, especially from traditional fossil fuel peaker plants.
“This roadmap will serve as a model for other states to follow by maximizing the use of renewable energy while enabling a reliable and resilient transformation of the power grid.
NYSERDA chief executive officer and president Doreen Harris said: “Accelerating the adoption of energy storage across the state will allow more wind and solar energy to be integrated into our electric grid, while improving air quality for many communities historically impacted by fossil fuel-generated pollution.
“Building on New York’s progress under Governor Hochul’s leadership, this roadmap will provide a pathway for the industry to partner with us to bring forward the next wave of projects that will help New Yorkers realize the benefits of this important technology.”
Department of Public Service chief executive officer Rory Christian said: “Governor Hochul is a key supporter of energy storage development in New York State.
“The framework that is being proposed provides New York with the resources it needs to speed our transition to a clean-energy economy and meet our critically important climate goals.”