New York Projects Demonstrate Energy Storage

December 2004

Two major projects will demonstrate advanced electrical energy storage devices in New England that resulted from a joint initiative between DOE and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

One demonstration project will affect a Long Island bus facility. Peak loads for running compressors will be shifted to off-peak hours. The project will deploy a sodium-sulfur battery system, which will also provide emergency backup power. Peak load reduction is becoming an urgent need in urban areas that suffer from congested transmission lines.

The other project will provide frequency regulation in a portion of the electrical grid operated by Beacon Power Corporation of Wilmington, Massachusetts. The project will deploy a high-energy flywheel energy storage system. Frequency regulation is necessary to balance the constantly varying differences between electricity generation and load.

Five smaller analysis and development projects for storage technologies have also been identified. The entire three-year program will cost $7.1 million, of which DOE's Energy Storage Research Program will contribute $900,000. NYSERDA will provide $2.6 million, and contract awardees will provide the remaining $3.6 million. Contracts are being negotiated, and the awards will be announced at a later date.