174 Power Global plans to re-purpose and construct the East River Energy Storage Project on leased property owned by the New York Power Authority on the site once occupied by the former Charles Poletti power plant. Earlier this year, the East River Energy Storage Project was issued a negative declaration under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and is slated to begin operations in 2023. It is the largest battery energy storage project in late stages of development in New York State under contract with a utility.
The East River Battery Energy Storage Project is expected to be able to store or release electricity on demand, thus helping to support the integration of new sources of renewable energy like offshore wind, hydro, and solar generation to replace energy produced by a fleet of fossil fuel plants. Generating power from energy discharged by the battery system can aid in improving air quality and can lead to greenhouse gas reductions by offsetting carbon intensive peak generation since the batteries charge during times of low demand and can generate energy during peak periods. The benefits of adding more energy storage to New York City means a more energy resilient future while improving grid reliability using generating assets located in the region.
"Energy storage technology has emerged as an essential component of the energy landscape and the proliferation of energy storage projects in New York is critical to meeting the state’s ambitious climate change goals,” said 174 Power Global President and CEO, Henry Yun, PhD. “We are pleased to receive approval from the PSC and are one step closer to bringing clean power, as well as other regional electricity and economic benefits, to the Astoria community and state.”
“Battery storage is essential to our quest to create a clean energy future and prevail against climate change,” said Leonard Singh, senior vice president, Customer Energy Solutions, for Con Edison. “Bulk storage will let us bring large amounts of renewable energy to our customers without compromising our industry-leading reliability, even as fossil fuel generators in New York City are shuttered into retirement.”
“The PSC’s approval of this adaptive reuse project on NYPA’s site in Astoria is a big win for New York State and specifically the Queens community and demonstrates an important step towards achieving our ambitious clean energy goals,” said Gil C. Quinones, NYPA president and CEO. “Large-scale battery storage provides the opportunity for greater flexibility and resiliency of the electric grid and will support the growth of renewable energy for decades to come.”
The Project is expected to achieve commercial operation on January 1, 2023, further advancing 174 Power Global’s position in the Northeast. In 2019, 174 Power Global acquired a New York based solar and storage company, now 174 Power Global NE, creating over 25 megawatts of renewable energy for commercial and industrial clients that improves the environment by working with local businesses to meet sustainability goals and manage their long-term energy costs.
