Dive Brief:
- The New York Public Service Commission last week approved two measures aimed at growing energy storage resources in the state, and helping to meet Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 1,500 MW energy storage target by 2025.
- Regulators approved a plan for Consolidated Edison Co. to significantly expand the use of battery storage systems in its service territory by simplifying the process for private owners.
- In its other decision, the PSC allowed larger storage projects to participate in the state’s clean-energy program. The decision raises the maximum rated capacity for projects from 2 MW to 5 MW.
Dive Insight:
New York's vision for cleaner a more distributed utility grid will rely heavily on energy storage, and last week regulators took two steps to help grow the resource.
The commission in a statement explained that the new rules for Con Edison "significantly increase" energy storage technologies’ ability to export power to the utility's primary and secondary voltage distribution systems. According to PSC Chairman John Rhodes, the new rules crafted a more straightforward process to allow private energy storage systems to export electricity to ConEd's distribution system.
In the commission's second decision, regulators increased the maximum-rated capacity for storage projects from 2 MW to 5 MW. The change boasted support from several stakeholders including the Natural Resources Defense Fund, Pace Energy and Climate Center, Solar Energy Industries Association and Vote Solar.
The decision comes as Cuomo is targeting 1.5 GW of storage by 2025. But observers say the final number could be even higher, and will likely use 2030 as a target year to remain aligned with the 50% renewables goal set in its the state's Clean Energy Standard.
To achieve the storage goal, the PSC and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority are developing an Energy Storage Roadmap. Commission staff are expected to release the report for comment in the second quarter.
