Con Edison of New York issues RFP for installation of battery storage systems

Con Edison of New York and its affiliate Orange & Rockland (O&R) Utilities have issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking developers to install large battery storage systems.

The battery storage systems would be placed in New York City and four counties to the north. They would go into operation by the end of 2025. Battery storage systems allow it to store electricity generated from renewable resources such as solar farms and windmills to deploy when customers need it and demand is high. It also decreases the need for power from fossil fuel-fired plants. It will grow in importance with the planned addition of large amounts of renewable energy in New York State, including 6,000 megawatts of solar and 9,000 megawatts from offshore wind.

“We want to build on the momentum from our first request and help New York State move closer to its battery storage goals,” Leonard Singh, senior vice president, Customer Energy Solutions, for Con Edison, said. “Our battery projects and the transmission lines we are building will maximize the environmental benefits from the renewable energy that will join New York State’s portfolio.”

Con Edison is seeking projects that total at least 200 megawatts in New York City and Westchester County, while O&R is looking for projects totaling 10 megawatts. Developers can propose one project or multiple projects. Each project must be more than 5 megawatts. The projects must connect to the Con Edison or O&R transmission or distribution systems. Developers will own, operate and maintain the storage systems and enter contracts of up to 10 years.

“Energy storage plays an important role in our concerted efforts to provide reliable and resilient power to our customers while minimizing its overall cost,” Orville Cocking, vice president of Operations at O&R, said.

In July, the New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) approved a plan by Con Edison and partner 174 Power Global for a 100-megawatt battery project at the site of the former Charles Poletti natural gas-fired plant in Astoria, Queens. When the project is complete at the end of 2022, it will be the largest storage facility in New York State.

Consolidated Edison of New York provides electric service in New York City and New York’s Westchester County, gas service in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens and parts of Westchester, and steam service in Manhattan. Orange and Rockland Utilities serves customers in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey.