New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric, subsidiaries of AVANGRID, Inc., have completed construction and deployed four energy storage pilot projects. These initiatives will test electric distribution system benefits, new technologies, and the capability to store energy, which could create opportunities for cost savings and provide environmental benefits.
"Our goal is to understand the benefits of energy storage to the electric grid as well as our customers, including what happens when we put the power into their hands by enabling them to store energy and use it when it makes the most sense for their families, homes and businesses," said Jeff Ballard, vice president of Smart Grids for AVANGRID, the parent company of NYSEG and RG&E. "This is an innovative step forward which allows our companies to proactively address the growing demand on the grid."
Energy storage pilot projects such as these support New York's Reforming the Energy Vision and the state's energy storage target of 3,000 MW by 2030 by providing valuable operational experience and insight into energy storage systems.
NYSEG and RG&E's Four Energy Storage Projects include:
Electric Vehicle Energy Storage: RG&E has installed fast chargers for electric vehicles constructed by Mesa Technical Associates, Inc. at its location at 1800 Scottsville Road in Rochester, NY. The station will test capability to use a battery system to quickly charge electric vehicles.
Behind The Meter: Eight selected commercial customers within NYSEG's Energy Smart Community in Tompkins County already have or will have Tesla Powerpack energy storage systems attached to their electrical system which will charge during off-peak hours at a lower cost. These customers will then have the option to use the stored energy during peak hours, which could create cost saving opportunities and reduce demand on the grid.
Peak Shaving: A battery storage system installed at an RG&E substation will allow the company to charge the system during low demand, off-peak times. This will test potential benefits associated with using the stored energy during times of increased usage like hot summer days, which has the potential to decrease demand on the grid at peak times and enhance reliability.
Circuit Deployment: A battery storage system installed on one of NYSEG's circuits in Ithaca will allow the company to charge the system during low demand, off-peak times. This will test potential benefits associated with using the stored energy during times of increased usage like hot summer days in a localized area, which has the potential to decrease demand on the grid at peak times and enhance reliability.
Over the next two years, the companies will collect operational data, evaluate lessons learned, and review best practices to adopt this new technology statewide for the benefit of our customers and the electric grid.
About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $32 billion in assets and operations in 24 states. AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.2 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates 7.1 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, with a presence in 22 states across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,500 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals, received a Climate Development Project climate score of "A-," the top score received in the utilities sector, and has been recognized for two consecutive years by Ethical Boardroom as the North American utility with the "best corporate governance practices." For more information, visit avangrid.com.
About NYSEG: New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1852, NYSEG operates approximately 35,000 miles of electric distribution lines and 4,500 miles of electric transmission lines across more than 40% of upstate New York. We also operate more than 8,150 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 20 miles of gas transmission pipelines. We serve approximately 894,000 electricity customers and 266,000 natural gas customers. For more information, visit nyseg.com.
About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit rge.com.
Media Contact:
Kevin Ortiz
Kevin.Ortiz@avangrid.com
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