National Grid Launches First-of-Its-Kind Battery Storage System
National Grid today unveiled a new battery storage system in Pulaski, New York, that will reinforce electricity reliability for regional customers during periods of peak demand, and alleviate the need for traditional infrastructure upgrades and investments. State and local officials joined company representatives and project partner Aggreko for a ribbon-cutting event at National Grid’s East Pulaski substation. The installation is the first-of-its kind battery storage system in the company’s U.S. service area.
“Energy storage is a vital component to unlocking New York’s clean energy future,” said John Bruckner, National Grid New York President. “We are pleased to partner with Aggreko on our first battery storage installation project in New York and a first-of-its-kind solution in our U.S. service area.”
The Pulaski 2 megawatt/3.8 megawatt-hour battery storage system is designed to sustain a 2,000 kilowatt customer demand, or the equivalent of powering approximately 1,600 homes for up to two hours. The clean energy benefits of the project include increasing the resiliency of the electricity network while modernizing the distribution system, deferring infrastructure and system upgrades, and reducing system peak loads.
Bruckner noted that National Grid is taking a leadership role in developing innovative approaches like energy storage that enable New York to reach its renewable energy targets. “We look forward to further supporting effective solutions for a cleaner energy future that are essential to achieving our carbon reduction goals as well as New York’s target of 50 percent renewables by 2030.”
“We are excited to partner with National Grid on our first project in New York,” said Karim Wazni, Managing Director of Aggreko’s Microgrid and Storage Solutions business. “National Grid selected us based on our extensive experience and cost-effective solutions. We look forward to combining our knowledge in innovative energy storage solutions with National Grid’s customer-driven clean energy programs to reduce peak demand charges for upstate New York customers.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made an energy storage pledge to deploy 1,500 megawatts by 2025. This target reinforces the value and benefits that storage brings to power grids and the energy supply infrastructure. The new battery storage system also supports environmental benefits and the state’s Reforming the Energy Vision program, a comprehensive energy strategy to integrate new technology, renewable energy generation and distribution-side business models into the electricity system.