Your local bodegas, apartment buildings and neighborhood commercial properties all operate with the expectation of power that turns on without a second thought. To keep up with growing demand, New York State is upgrading its distribution and use of energy. One solution has been hiding right at the tip of our fingers: batteries.
If you’ve ever had your phone die while waiting for the subway or lost power during a storm, you know how vital a backup battery can be. Battery energy storage systems are essentially state-of-the-art power reserves for your entire neighborhood.
These systems are how New York is modernizing our power grid. They help manage current challenges like extreme heat, storms and increasing day-to-day demand, and also to reduce our reliance on expensive peak energy and keep the grid more efficient and affordable for everyone.
How energy storage can benefit you
Yes, energy storage is critical in helping the state upgrade its power infrastructure, but what does battery power for your neighborhood actually mean for your daily life?
Energy storage will be the muscle behind a more reliable power grid. When a brutal heat wave hits and everyone in the neighborhood cranks the A/C, these systems step in to prevent brownouts and rolling blackouts. They deliver the extra energy instantly, keeping you and your family cool and safe. They also act as a critical power reserve during major winter storms. With energy storage, power can be restored faster, minimizing the disruption to your daily life.
The systems also help families save money by storing power when it is cheaper and releasing it when energy demand is highest (and therefore more expensive), translating into lower monthly energy costs. And since energy storage cuts down on our reliance on fossil fuels, they also lead to cleaner, healthier air-a benefit especially critical for neighborhoods that have historically shouldered the brunt of pollution.
These benefits–from reliable power during extreme weather to cleaner air-make energy storage systems a vital part of modernizing our grid. Crucially, New York State is leading the way in ensuring this valuable community resource meets the highest possible safety standards.
New York leads in safe storage solutions
In order to harness all the benefits that energy storage offers the power grid, New York State has made safety the highest priority.
In 2023, Gov. Hochul established the Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group (FSWG) to elevate the state’s requirements to some of the strongest energy storage safety standards in the country. All battery storage projects must undergo independent third-party reviews by nationally recognized experts to verify strict code compliance, quality and safety performance.
Electrical infrastructure of this scale carries some fire risk, battery energy storage systems included. What sets New York apart is how proactively we manage it. Every battery storage system is subject to risk mitigation measures, like 24/7 monitoring, mandatory emergency response plans and training for first responders. These steps further reduce risk and help protect communities and emergency personnel across the State.
A cleaner and greener energy future
New York State is proudly moving away from fossil fuels and toward cleaner sources of energy. In doing so, the need for a reliable and flexible grid has never been greater. Battery energy storage systems are proven to support grid stability and provide long-term solutions to the ever-growing demand for electricity.
Increasing battery storage projects in New York will improve the health of our neighborhoods, especially in communities that already face the biggest environmental risks, while making progress toward our statewide sustainability initiatives. Learn more about New York’s affordable, dependable energy future at nyserda.ny.gov/storageforNYS.
