New York receives federal funds for energy storage projects using fire-safe battery technology

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $6.5 million in funding to New York State for two long-duration energy storage (LDES) demonstration projects that will use fire-safe battery technology.

LDES demonstration projects are capable of delivering electricity for 10-24 hours, surpassing the conventional short-duration systems that lithium-ion can typically support. The use of fire-safe battery technology in urban and rural settings will provide a stable energy supply during periods of high demand and in extreme weather conditions, according to the governor’s office.

“Energy storage that ensures a safe and reliable power supply is critical to New York’s clean energy future,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said July 24 in announcing the funding. “By supporting leading-edge projects — such as these installations that provide extended storage duration — we will validate new technologies and illustrate how grid storage can be safely and effectively integrated into communities throughout the state.”

The projects will be developed by the New York Power Authority (NYPA), Rockland County, N.Y.-based Urban Electric Power (UEP), and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The installation sites are at Westchester County, N.Y.’s Grasslands Reservation in Valhalla, and the State University of New York’s (SUNY) Oneonta campus.

The DOE’s funding award will cover half of the total $13.1-million project cost and was made possible through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

“When it comes to exciting new technologies like this long-duration energy storage project in New York, the secret sauce is federal investment from our bipartisan infrastructure and jobs law boosting top-notch public and private science and research — like that done by NYPA and Rockland’s Urban Electric Power — to perfect battery and energy storage innovation, expand clean energy and create jobs,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D).

Each system will be 300 kilowatts with 12 or more hours of operation and will offer the potential for reducing electric bills through demand charge reduction from peak shaving.

The SUNY Oneonta project will also support a forthcoming on-site solar project, and the exact site location on each campus will be determined as part of the first phase of work. Construction will begin in 2026 with the facilities expected to be operational in 2028.

“Better, more efficient, safer battery storage technology — that can also help hold down energy costs — will help New York reduce reliance on dirty fossil fuels, energize the economy, and support the fight against climate change,” added Schumer. “I’m proud to help deliver this significant federal investment to N.Y. and am grateful for Gov. Hochul’s work ensuring that this federal funding is used to power N.Y.’s clean energy future.”

Specifically, the NYPA, which is the nation’s largest state utility, will partner with UEP, a Pearl River, N.Y.-based battery manufacturer, to help LDES systems overcome barriers toward achieving wider adoption, according to information provided by the governor’s office.

“The Power Authority is invested in pursuing the development of the technology needed that will support the integration of renewable generation while also ensuring that power is available during peak demand periods,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll. “This cutting-edge, long-duration energy storage project seeks to demonstrate a safer clean energy technology, illustrating New York State’s leadership in accelerating the transition to renewable resources and validating the use of these systems in meeting customer needs and commercial viability.”

The projects will demonstrate the viability of UEP’s zinc manganese dioxide batteries in large-scale and LDES systems. The batteries utilize a fire-safe chemistry that uses low-cost and largely domestically available raw materials, and they have the same chemistry as household batteries.

“As the demand for long duration energy storage grows, UEP’s innovative zinc-manganese technology stands out as a cost-effective and safe alternative,” said Sanjoy Banerjee, chief executive at UEP. “These projects are set to enhance the resilience of New York’s electrical grid and demonstrate the critical contribution of zinc batteries towards a sustainable energy landscape.”

EPRI, an independent, nonprofit energy research and development organization, will provide technical and industry expertise and guidance on technology readiness, safety assessment, test protocol development, techno-economic analysis, operations plan, and the community benefits plan, the information says.

“EPRI has long been at the forefront of battery energy storage safety research and efforts to provide reliable, resilient energy to consumers,” EPRI Vice President of Integrated Grid and Energy Systems Daniel Brooks said. “We’re looking forward to participating in this project, working with collaborators on efforts to provide reliable power during instances of extreme weather and high demand.”

The NYPA also will support the storage projects with energy education outreach programs to under-resourced communities located near the demonstration sites, as well as a community benefits plan focused on energy storage educational programming.

A community stakeholder working group also will be formed of representatives from local schools, governments, universities, community colleges, and community organizations to steer the development and deployment of programs prioritizing underserved populations.

New York aims to deploy 6,000 megawatts of storage by 2030, according to Gov. Hochul, who noted that the projects support the state’s climate agenda to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030, and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels.

New York also wants to achieve a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century.

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