New York to establish energy storage target

The New York State Legislature has recently approved a bill to establish an energy storage deployment programme, which will include an energy storage target for 2030.

The bill, which was sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and Senator Joseph Griffo, has been unanimously approved by both chambers of the legislature and will now be reviewed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Assemblywoman Paulin said: “Expanding energy storage is critical for New York to meet its goals by enabling renewable energy to be used continuously, reducing the need for energy produced using fossil fuels.Storage also increases the resiliency of the electric grid by supplying power in the event of an electrical outage.

“The creation of an energy storage deployment programme will increase the installation of energy storage systems throughout the state and accelerate these benefits,” she added.

The bill will direct the state Public Service Commission (PSC) to develop an Energy Storage Deployment Programme, including the establishment of a target for the installation of qualified energy storage systems by 2030.

According to the Energy Storage Association (ESA), the PSC will start a deliberative process to determine the most appropriate course for the state with input from utilities, customers and other stakeholders.

The PSC will consult with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) in setting the energy storage target, with NYSERDA and LIPA then administering the energy storage deployment programme.

Matt Roberts, Executive Director of the ESA, said: “New York continues to be a hub for energy innovation and is a model for leveraging effective policy and market structures to advance practical solutions.”

He went on to say: “This legislation will bring significant benefits to New York ratepayers, improve system reliability, lower energy costs, and enable the increased deployment of sustainable energy."

Roberts added that energy storage jobs in New York have grown more than 30 per cent over the past four years to around 3,900.

The news follows the announcement that the state of New York plans to invest $1.5 billion in renewable energy projects as part of the state’s pursuit of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

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