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For Immediate Release: 2/22/18
John B. Rhodes, Chair
Contact: James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
18010/17-E-0458
February 22, 2018
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PSC Greenlights Battery Storage Systems for Con Edison’s CustomersBattery Storage Plays Key Role in Developing Renewable Energy Resources in NY |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved a first-ever plan that will allow Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. to significantly expand the use of battery storage systems in its service territory. Today’s decision is part of an overall effort to expand battery storage to more effectively harness and utilize the renewable energy being produced.
“It will now be much more straight forward for owners of private energy storage systems to export the electricity they produce to Con Edison’s electric distribution systems, fulfilling another component of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s REV strategy,” Commission Chair John B. Rhodes said. “Expanding the smart use of energy storage is key to creating the electricity grid of the future, one that is cleaner, more resilient, and more affordable.”
Energy storage technology has great potential to enhance efficiency of the electric grid and to better integrate variable renewable resources such as wind and solar. Governor Cuomo recently launched an initiative to deploy 1,500 MW of energy storage by 2025 and employ 30,000 New Yorkers. The 1,500 MW commitment represents the largest such commitment per capita by any state, and today’s decision reflects that commitment.
To implement the Governor’s directive, Commission and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) staff are working to complete an Energy Storage Roadmap that will identify the means to achieving the Governor’s energy storage target, as well as provide analysis to support the adoption of a 2030 goal by the Commission as required by the energy storage legislation that Governor Cuomo signed in December.
Stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide public comments when Commission staff issues its “Energy Storage Roadmap” for public comment, which is anticipated in the second quarter. This white paper will present the range of actions the State can facilitate, including those that require Commission action, along with associated costs and benefits. Once the white paper is released for public comment, a technical conference(s) will also be held. After all comments are considered, it will be put before the Commission for final review and determination. In the State of the State, the energy agencies and authorities were directed to generate a pipeline of storage projects through utility procurements, advance regulatory changes in utility rates and wholesale energy markets, incorporate storage into criterial for large scale renewable procurements and reduce regulatory barriers.
Governor Cuomo has also proposed committing at least $200 million from NY Green Bank for storage-related investments to help drive down costs and to strategically deploy energy storage to where the grid needs it most. Finally, the Governor is directing NYSERDA to invest at least $60 million through storage pilots and activities to reduce barriers to deploying energy storage, including permitting, customer acquisition, interconnection, and financing costs.
The new rules for Con Edison significantly increase energy storage technologies’ ability to export power to Con Edison’s primary and secondary voltage distribution systems while maintaining power quality and safe and reliable operations. The Commission expects that these new rules are only the first step toward encouraging deeper penetration of energy storage technologies in Con Edison's service territory, and that further developments to support these technologies will be considered in future phases.
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 requiring 50 percent of the state's electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030. Already, REV has driven growth of more than 1,000 percent in the statewide solar market, improved energy affordability for 1.65 million low-income customers, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York 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, visit rev.ny.gov, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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-0458 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.
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