Industry reacts positively to New York’s 1,500MW energy storage target

The announcement was made along with a raft of other environmental, energy and sustainability policy measures as Cuomo attempted to set out a “comprehensive agenda to combat climate change”.

These included establishments of energy efficiency targets, moves to cap greenhouse gas emissions and limit pollution from natural gas plants, establish a solar PV programme for 10,000 low-income households and to reconvene a scientific panel on climate change disbanded by the Trump presidential administration.

Energy Storage Association CEO Kelly Speakes-Backman said her group “heartily applauded” the establishment of the target. Meanwhile William Acker at NY BEST, pitched as a regional trade association as well as a technology development group – NY BEST has its own battery testing and research facilities available to its members – said the deployment of 1,500MW by 2025 and the US$265 million investment would help cement New York’s position as a leader in the energy storage industry while contributing strongly to the state’s climate change and sustainability goals.

Energy Storage Association CEO Kelly Speakes-Backman:

“The Energy Storage Association heartily congratulates Governor Cuomo for his leadership and bold commitment to scaling up clean energy production through increased deployment of energy storage. In setting this goal and providing funds, New York will accelerate the innovative use of storage as infrastructure and reduce the state’s reliance on inefficient, heavier polluting sources of electricity, bringing $2 billion in benefits to New Yorkers. We at ESA are delighted to count New York as a leader in the march toward 35 GW of new energy storage by 2025, as outlined in our Vision 2025 report, and ESA stands by to assist states like New York forging a path toward a more efficient, resilient and reliable, sustainable and affordable grid.”

NY BEST’s executive director Dr William Acker:

“NY-BEST applauds Governor Cuomo’s leadership in establishing  a 1,500 MW target for energy storage by 2025 and for recognising the crucial role that energy storage has in modernizing New York’s electric grid. Energy storage is critically important to providing real benefits for ratepayers, supporting widescale integration of renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil-fuelled power plants, providing grid resilience and producing environmental and economic benefits for the state.

The global energy storage industry is growing rapidly. Governor Cuomo’s launch of a new energy storage initiative, with its goal to employ 30,000

New Yorkers in this sector, will leverage New York’s unique assets, resources and markets and further solidify New York’s position as a leader in the energy storage industry.

Governor Cuomo’s commitment to invest more than US$260 million in funding from the New York Green Bank and NYSERDA, will accelerate deployment of energy storage resources on the state’s electric grid, help achieve the Governor’s clean energy and climate goals and create economic benefits for the state.

NY-BEST looks forward to continuing the work with Governor Cuomo and the Administration to bring the benefits of energy storage to New York State.”

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo tweeted condemnation of the Trump administration’s latest move to grant licenses for oil and gas exploration around much of the US coastline, drawing a stark comparison with New York’s clean energy ambitions and policies.

President Trump's move to allow new offshore oil and gas drilling represents yet another federal assault on our environment and our future.

While Washington strong arms offshore drilling, New York is adding another 800 megawatts of offshore wind power.

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 5, 2018