Credit: CSI Energy Storage

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a new framework for the state to achieve a nation-leading 6 GW of energy storage by 2030, which represents at least 20% of the peak electricity load of New York State. The roadmap, submitted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York State Department of Public Service to the Public Service Commission for consideration, proposes a comprehensive set of recommendations to expand New York’s energy storage programs to cost-effectively unlock the rapid growth of renewable energy across the state and bolster grid reliability and customer resilience. If approved, the roadmap will support a buildout of storage deployments estimated to reduce projected future statewide electric system costs by nearly $2 billion, in addition to further benefits in the form of improved public health because of reduced exposure to harmful fossil fuel pollutants. This announcement supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals to generate 70% of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040.

“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,” Governor Hochul said. “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 and DPS carefully assessed potential market reforms and cost-effective procurement mechanisms to achieve 6 GW 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.

This roadmap proposes the implementation of NYSERDA-led programs towards procuring an additional 4.7 GW 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 1.3 GW of existing energy storage already under contract with the state and moving toward commercial operation, will allow the state to achieve the 6-GW goal by 2030.

“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,” said Doreen M. Harris, president and CEO of NYSERDA. “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.”

Large-scale storage manufacturer Key Capture Energy celebrated the news.

“KCE established our headquarters in upstate New York in 2017 because of the state’s commitment to solving the clean energy transition’s toughest challenges,” said KCE’s CEO Jeff Bishop. “NYSERDA’s Energy Storage Roadmap 2.0 will continue to move New York forward to zero emissions by 2040, as mandated by the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.”

News item from NYSERDA