New York PSC extends energy management, efficiency program

The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) recently extended and expanded Consolidated Edison’s Brooklyn Queens Demand Management program (BQDM).

BDQM’s energy management and efficiency programs are expected to save customers approximately $24.5 million over the life of the program.

The program has allowed Con Edison to delay a $1 billion substation construction project. BDQM will add additional distributed energy resources, such as fuel cells, solar power, battery storage and thermal storage, that will enable the company to delay building more traditional infrastructure and create savings for customers.

“BQDM is one of the best examples of the energy reforms underway in New York thanks to Governor Cuomo’s long-term energy strategy REV — Reforming the Energy Vision,” Commission Chair John B. Rhodes said.

The program was started in 2014 and was originally scheduled to end next year. Today’s order allows Con Edison to extend the program without any additional funding, which is possible because the company achieved the program’s goals while staying within budget.

By next summer, BQDM will have contracted for more than 52 megawatts (MW) of non-traditional, customer-side and utility-side solutions. 6,000 small businesses, 1,400 multifamily buildings and 8,800 family residences currently participate in BQDM.

Energy efficiency initiatives have resulted in more than 110 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of annual energy reduction for small business hours and 27 GWh in multi-family residences and individual apartments.