The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that New York State has partnered with nine companies taking part in innovative energy storage research and development projects that will bring increased energy efficiency and reliability to alternative-fuel vehicles and the electric grid.
Under this program, the companies – members of the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY-BEST) Consortium – will work on "bench-to-prototype" technologies in an effort to move clean-technology energy storage devices from the lab to the marketplace. "
These companies are accelerating our progress toward Governor Cuomo’s goals for building the clean-energy economy and making New York’s energy system more reliable, resilient and efficient," said John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, NYSERDA.
"The businesses receiving these awards – all members of the NY-BEST consortium – are working on the next-generation of technology to reduce power needs, support more energy-efficient vehicles and electronic devices, and make greater use of renewable resources."
Technologies include advanced batteries, ultracapacitors, fuel cells and control modules. These technologies can also reduce the need for fossil fuels in transportation.
Energy storage devices such as ultracapacitors, for example, serve a vital role in providing instant energy for hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as electronic devices.
Energy storage serves a vital role in a variety of power applications. It improves grid performance by smoothing out routine energy fluctuations, improving energy efficiency at power plants and reducing the risk of grid outages at times of high demand.
Storage also provides opportunities to take greater advantage of renewable energy resources, such as solar or wind, storing clean energy when it’s not needed for future use when demand is higher. It closely aligns with New York State’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), which will restructure utility operations while creating a new business model for the energy industry.
Additionally, NY-BEST, with more than 130 industry, academic and government partners, promotes the growth of the energy storage industry in the state.
Earlier this year, Governor Cuomo announced the opening of the NY Battery and Energy Storage Technology Test and Commercialization Center at Eastman Business Park in Rochester. The $23 million center provides unique testing and validation services needed to bring new battery and energy storage technologies to the commercial market.
"New York State continues to solidify its leadership in energy storage technology under Governor Cuomo. From the State’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative to our world-class BEST Test and Commercialization Center, manufacturing assets and R&D support, New York is creating a comprehensive ecosystem to catalyze and grow the energy storage industry. The projects announced today further illustrate New York’s commitment to this rapidly growing industry," said Dr. William Acker, Executive Director of NY-BEST.