20 MW Energy Storage Project in Franklin County (Courtesy: New York Power Authority)

Governor Kathy Hochul announced over $5 million is now available for long duration energy storage projects through New York State’s Renewable Optimization and Energy Storage Innovation Program.

This funding is meant to advance the development and demonstration of scalable long duration energy storage (LDES) solutions that harness and provide stored renewable energy to the state’s electric grid. The announcement supports the current Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to install 3,000 MW of energy storage by 2030 while facilitating further development to 6,000 MW.

“As we continue to build a clean energy future, we are making investments that will keep New York on the cutting edge of the latest energy storage technologies,” Governor Hochul said. “This funding will spur innovation, ultimately helping to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and make progress towards our clean energy goals.”

Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), this funding is being made available through a competitive solicitation for projects that will support long duration energy storage solutions, devices, software, controls, and other complementary technologies which are yet to be commercialized. Proposals are required to further product development and demonstration projects in energy storage that are 10 to over 100 hours in duration at rated power and should advance and field test electrical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal to electric long duration storage solution technologies that will address cost, performance, and renewable integration challenges such as grid congestion, hosting capacity constraints, and lithium-ion siting limitations in New York City.

Proposals will be accepted through 3:00 p.m. on September 24, 2024.

“Through this latest round of funding, New York is continuing its commitment to fostering technology innovation that advances the equitable transition to a zero-emission electric grid,” NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said. “Investing in long duration energy storage solutions can help replace fossil fuel peaker plants while incentivizing clean energy development that will tangibly improve air quality and mitigate the future impacts of climate change for traditionally overburdened communities.”

The announcement builds on the more than $30 million awarded in 2022 and 2023 by NYSERDA to nine projects through the first two rounds of the program. These projects are aiming to advance a variety of technologies including hydrogen, zinc hybrid and iron-air battery technologies, nuclear-hydrogen long duration energy storage, and a hydroelectric storage system that integrates directly with offshore wind development in support of grid resiliency and reduced reliance on fossil fuel plants. Awards from the third round are expected to be announced later this summer.