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For Immediate Release: 05/18/17

Gregg C. Sayre, Interim Chairman          
                                              
Contact:
Jon Sorensen | Jon.Sorensen@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
 
 
 
 17038/17-E-0104
May 18, 2017

Commission Approves Battery Storage Innovation for New York City, Other Utilities Will Study Similar Systems throughout New York State

Reforming the Energy Vision Is Bringing Consumers Cleaner, More-Affordable Energy Options through Partnerships between Third-Party Developers and Utilities


ALBANY
— The New York State Public Service Commission (“Commission”) today approved new actions to advance the energy-saving goals of REV – Reforming the Energy Vision – by allowing large commercial batteries in New York City to feed the electric grid. Today’s order also directs every utility in the state to study the impacts of allowing the export of battery storage systems to the grid under the existing Dynamic Load Management programs.

Gregg C. Sayre, Interim Chairman of the Commission, said, “Large-scale batteries are expected to play an important role in New York’s green energy future and today’s action brings battery storage closer to a day when these systems are fully integrated into the grid. Our first step is to bring the benefits of battery storage to ratepayers through utility programs which lower costs by managing and reducing energy demand.”

In addition to customer savings, using batteries to manage energy demand can also makes grid operations more reliable and resilient. Today’s order will also allow utilities to gain experience with energy storage technology, setting the stage for wide applications including connecting electric vehicles to feed the grid.

Consolidated Edison was granted permission to allow  battery storage systems to export electricity to the grid, located at a select number of commercial locations, under a successful program to lower electricity demand in growing areas of Brooklyn and Queens and under  any future Non Wires Alternative projects it pursues. Under the program, customers will be able to use installed battery storage systems to export power to the electric grid to respond to Con Edison’s calls to reduce peak load conditions in the area.

By relying on non-traditional methods to meet growing energy demand in Brooklyn and Queens, ConEdison has saved ratepayers money by reducing energy demand at peak hours and deferring the construction of a $1 billion electrical substation. Across the state, REV is encouraging other utilities to develop more-efficient and cleaner networks by relying on smaller, cleaner power systems, battery storage, energy efficiency and renewable energy resources like solar, geothermal and wind power.

The Commission also directed Consolidated Edison to consider expanding battery storage systems to other parts of New York City using similar demand-management programs. Specifically, the Commission said ConEdison should consider where battery storage is appropriate in the Rider T Commercial System Relief Program and Distribution Load Relief Program system-wide commercial demand response programs, as well as the demand response programs offered by the New York Independent System Operator.

Battery storage developers have already expressed interest in working with ConEdison and other utilities to expand the use of battery storage. Partnerships between utilities and third-party developers is the result of REV creating new markets and new services that will benefit New York ratepayers, said Chairman Sayre.

In addition, the Commission ordered a broader review of allowing battery storage to feed the grid in statewide Dynamic Load Management programs. Con Edison and other utilities must file a report with the Commission by Dec. 1 on whether batteries and other smaller, cleaner power systems (known as “distributed energy resources” or DER) should be allowed to feed the grid as part of the utilities’ Dynamic Load Management programs. The Commission is also currently developing a more accurate and fair price for the power generated by batteries and other forms of DER in Case 15-E-0751, In the Matter of the Value of Distributed Energy Resources.

The Commission today also approved another REV-related order when it granted National Grid’s petition to eliminate the $3.36/month incremental metering charge as it experiments with Residential Voluntary Time of Use rates as part of a REV demonstration project in the Saratoga County town of Clifton Park.

Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 17-E-0104 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.

About Reforming the Energy Vision

Reforming the Energy Vision is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York's economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency and generating 50 percent of the state's electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030. Already, REV has driven 730 percent growth in the statewide solar market, enabled over 105,000 low-income households to permanently cut their energy bills with energy efficiency, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York State reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally-recognized target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governor's $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us at @Rev4NY

 

 

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