The New York Power Authority has announced plans to develop a microgrid to supply steam and electricity to the Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza in Albany.
NYPA, officially known as the Power Authority of the State of New York, is a state-level public power organization, operating power plants and transmission lines.
On May 22, 2017, NYPA announced its plans to convert a former waste-recovery steam plant located in Albany into a site for two new 8-megawatt natural gas-fired turbine generators with dual fuel capability. The generators will be able to supply local needs, or sell power into the wholesale market, with the microgrid capable of operating in sync with the main grid or as an independent "island." According to NYPA, the "resilient power generation facility will enable government services to continue in an emergency while the Plaza can be used as an emergency shelter for Albany residents." The project is expected to supply 90 percent of the power for the state
office complex, to save more than $2.7 million in annual
energy costs, and to avoid the annual emission of 25,600 tons of
greenhouse gases.
The New York State Office of General Services will finance the project, supported by $2.5 million from NYSERDA. NYPA has issued a request for proposals by developers; proposals are due to NYPA on July 13, with awards expected this fall.
Energy powers society; society's choices shape energy policy. A blog about our energy resources and the choices they present for society.
Showing posts with label NYSERDA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NYSERDA. Show all posts
NY offshore wind lease auction set
Monday, October 31, 2016
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has issued a Final Sale Notice, setting December 15 as the date for auctioning the right to lease sites in federal waters off New York for commercial offshore wind development.
The U.S. federal government is pursuing a national strategy to facilitate the domestic development of offshore wind energy. Under federal law, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is responsible for administering renewable energy project development on the offshore Outer Continental Shelf. The strategy calls for BOEM to identify areas suitable for wind energy leasing, and to then offer leases through auctions or other sales.
BOEM is now moving forward with plans to auction leasing rights for an area offshore New York. In June 2016, BOEM first issued a Proposed Sale Notice for leasing rights off New York. BOEM solicited public comment on its proposal over the summer.
On October 27, 2016, BOEM announced the designation of a final New York Wind Energy Area, starting approximately 11.5 nautical miles from Jones Beach, NY, and running approximately 24 nm southeast. The final New York Wind Energy Area differs from BOEM's earlier leasing proposal primarily in its removal of about 1,780 acres due to environmental concerns over sensitive habitat on a feature called Cholera Bank.
BOEM's announcement also identified 14 companies that it has deemed legally, technically and financially qualified to participate in the New York lease sale:
Meanwhile, state energy agency NYSERDA is pursuing the New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan to advance offshore wind development in the state. NYSERDA has expressed interest in bidding in a BOEM auction for project leasing rights, and was included in BOEM's list of entities qualified for the December 15 auction. Moreover, NYSERDA could be a beneficiary of the "government authority" provision in BOEM's Final Sale Notice; if so, it could receive a 10% credit on top of its cash bid.
BOEM will conduct the auction electronically, through a contractor, starting at 8:30 EST on December 15, 2016.
The U.S. federal government is pursuing a national strategy to facilitate the domestic development of offshore wind energy. Under federal law, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is responsible for administering renewable energy project development on the offshore Outer Continental Shelf. The strategy calls for BOEM to identify areas suitable for wind energy leasing, and to then offer leases through auctions or other sales.
BOEM is now moving forward with plans to auction leasing rights for an area offshore New York. In June 2016, BOEM first issued a Proposed Sale Notice for leasing rights off New York. BOEM solicited public comment on its proposal over the summer.
On October 27, 2016, BOEM announced the designation of a final New York Wind Energy Area, starting approximately 11.5 nautical miles from Jones Beach, NY, and running approximately 24 nm southeast. The final New York Wind Energy Area differs from BOEM's earlier leasing proposal primarily in its removal of about 1,780 acres due to environmental concerns over sensitive habitat on a feature called Cholera Bank.
BOEM's announcement also identified 14 companies that it has deemed legally, technically and financially qualified to participate in the New York lease sale:
- Avangrid Renewables, LLC
- CI-II NY Inc.
- DONG Energy Wind Power (U.S.) Inc.
- Innogy US Renewable Projects LLC
- wpd offshore Alpha LLC
- Deepwater Wind Hudson Canyon, LLC
- Energy Management, Inc.
- Convalt Energy LLC
- Clean Power Northeast Development Inc.
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
- Statoil Wind US LLC
- EDF Renewable Development, Inc.
- Fishermen’s Energy, LLC
- Sea Breeze Energy LLC
Meanwhile, state energy agency NYSERDA is pursuing the New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan to advance offshore wind development in the state. NYSERDA has expressed interest in bidding in a BOEM auction for project leasing rights, and was included in BOEM's list of entities qualified for the December 15 auction. Moreover, NYSERDA could be a beneficiary of the "government authority" provision in BOEM's Final Sale Notice; if so, it could receive a 10% credit on top of its cash bid.
BOEM will conduct the auction electronically, through a contractor, starting at 8:30 EST on December 15, 2016.
NY blueprint for offshore wind master plan
Monday, September 19, 2016
A New York state energy office has released its Blueprint for the New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, known as NYSERDA, promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. It mission is to advance innovative energy solutions in ways that improve New York's economy and environment.
New York recently adopted a Clean Energy Standard, which will require that 50% of New York State’s electricity come from renewable resources by 2030. NYSERDA has described offshore wind as playing "a critical role in turning this aggressive goal into a reality." NYSERDA has been tasked with leading the state's development of a master plan for New York offshore wind development.
On September 15, 2016, NYSERDA released its Blueprint for the New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan. The Blueprint presents NYSERDA’s vision of the process, steps, and timeline to develop the master plan. While the Master Plan's release is scheduled for 2017, NYSERDA noted that releasing an initial Blueprint serves to outline New York State’s comprehensive offshore wind strategy and advance the State’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy to build a cleaner, more resilient, and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.
NYSERDA has also expressed interest in bidding in an auction to be held by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, for the right to lease offshore wind development sites in federal waters over the Outer Continental Shelf. The 81,000-acre lease area is located south of Long Island, off the Rockaway Peninsula. BOEM is expected to hold the lease sale later this year.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, known as NYSERDA, promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. It mission is to advance innovative energy solutions in ways that improve New York's economy and environment.
New York recently adopted a Clean Energy Standard, which will require that 50% of New York State’s electricity come from renewable resources by 2030. NYSERDA has described offshore wind as playing "a critical role in turning this aggressive goal into a reality." NYSERDA has been tasked with leading the state's development of a master plan for New York offshore wind development.
On September 15, 2016, NYSERDA released its Blueprint for the New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan. The Blueprint presents NYSERDA’s vision of the process, steps, and timeline to develop the master plan. While the Master Plan's release is scheduled for 2017, NYSERDA noted that releasing an initial Blueprint serves to outline New York State’s comprehensive offshore wind strategy and advance the State’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy to build a cleaner, more resilient, and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.
NYSERDA has also expressed interest in bidding in an auction to be held by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, for the right to lease offshore wind development sites in federal waters over the Outer Continental Shelf. The 81,000-acre lease area is located south of Long Island, off the Rockaway Peninsula. BOEM is expected to hold the lease sale later this year.
NY Clean Energy Standard adopted
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
The New York Public Service Commission has issued an order adopting a clean energy standard. The standard will require 50% of New York’s electricity to be
generated by renewable sources by 2030. This so-called "50 by 30" mandate is consistent with the State Energy Plan's strategy to
reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. It will also provide support for existing nuclear power plants said to be at risk for closure without state support. This is a time of change for the New York energy industry, as the Clean Energy Standard adds to
the regulatory and retail market
changes that the state is already pursuing
under
its
Reforming the Energy Vision or REV program.
The New York commission noted that the state has adopted "strongly proactive policies to combat climate change and modernize the electric system to improve the efficiency, affordability, resiliency, and sustainability of the system." The state's 2015 State Energy Plan called for the "50 by 30" goal for renewable energy.
In the Commission's words, it determined "that a series of deliberate and mandatory actions to build upon and enhance opportunities for consumer choice are necessary to achieve State environmental, public health, climate policy and economic goals; to enhance and animate voluntary retail markets for energy efficiency, clean energy and renewable resources; to preserve existing zero-emissions nuclear generation resources as a bridge to the clean energy future; to ensure a modern and resilient energy system; and to accomplish its objectives in a fair and cost-effective manner."
As a result, the Commission adopted a Clean Energy Standard or CES consisting of a Renewable Energy Standard and a Zero-Emissions Credit Requirement program. The Commission also adopted supporting structures, which it describes as including:
The Clean Energy Standard order also creates a Zero-Emissions Credit or ZEC requirement, along with a process through which state energy agency NYSERDA will offer qualifying nuclear facilities a multi-year contract for the purchase of ZECs, at a price ultimately derived from the calculations of "social cost of carbon." NYSERDA will ultimately resell the ZECs to New York load serving entities, who will recover costs from ratepayers through commodity charges on customer bills. The Commission described the ZEC mechanism as "the best way for the State to preserve the nuclear units’ environmental attributes while staying within the State’s jurisdictional boundaries. "
As described in the order, the Renewable Energy Standard and ZEC components "are interrelated but the goals are additive," meaning efforts to comply with the RES will not count toward the ZEC requirement, even if the combination will "contribute toward the State's comprehensive greenhouse gas reduction goals."
The New York commission noted that the state has adopted "strongly proactive policies to combat climate change and modernize the electric system to improve the efficiency, affordability, resiliency, and sustainability of the system." The state's 2015 State Energy Plan called for the "50 by 30" goal for renewable energy.
In the Commission's words, it determined "that a series of deliberate and mandatory actions to build upon and enhance opportunities for consumer choice are necessary to achieve State environmental, public health, climate policy and economic goals; to enhance and animate voluntary retail markets for energy efficiency, clean energy and renewable resources; to preserve existing zero-emissions nuclear generation resources as a bridge to the clean energy future; to ensure a modern and resilient energy system; and to accomplish its objectives in a fair and cost-effective manner."
As a result, the Commission adopted a Clean Energy Standard or CES consisting of a Renewable Energy Standard and a Zero-Emissions Credit Requirement program. The Commission also adopted supporting structures, which it describes as including:
(a) program and market structures to encourage consumer-initiated clean energy purchases or investments; (b) obligations on load serving entities to financially support new renewable generation resources to serve their retail customers; (c) a requirement for regular renewable energy credit (REC) procurement solicitations; (d) obligations on distribution utilities on behalf of all retail customers to continue to financially support the maintenance of certain existing at-risk small hydro, wind and biomass generation attributes; (e) a program to maximize the value potential of new offshore wind resources; and (f) obligations on load serving entities to financially support the preservation of existing at- risk nuclear zero-emissions attributes to serve their retail customers.As described by Governor Andrew Cuomo, the program will feature a ramp-up of renewable power sourcing. Utilities and other energy suppliers will be initially required to procure 26.32 percent of the state's total electricity load from renewable sources in 2017, increasing to 30.54 percent by 2021. The Commission described the 50 by 30 goal as "not only part of a larger greenhouse gas goal, it is part of the State’s sweeping initiative to transform the way energy is produced, delivered, and consumed" through the REV process.
The Clean Energy Standard order also creates a Zero-Emissions Credit or ZEC requirement, along with a process through which state energy agency NYSERDA will offer qualifying nuclear facilities a multi-year contract for the purchase of ZECs, at a price ultimately derived from the calculations of "social cost of carbon." NYSERDA will ultimately resell the ZECs to New York load serving entities, who will recover costs from ratepayers through commodity charges on customer bills. The Commission described the ZEC mechanism as "the best way for the State to preserve the nuclear units’ environmental attributes while staying within the State’s jurisdictional boundaries. "
As described in the order, the Renewable Energy Standard and ZEC components "are interrelated but the goals are additive," meaning efforts to comply with the RES will not count toward the ZEC requirement, even if the combination will "contribute toward the State's comprehensive greenhouse gas reduction goals."
August 9, 2010 - new nuclear, flywheel storage, China energy efficiency crackdown
Monday, August 9, 2010
Nuclear power is a hot topic -- specifically the construction of new nuclear plants, something that most countries in the world have been slow to do in recent years. Now the United Kingdom says it anticipates building its first new nuclear plant in 2018, most likely on-site at existing nuclear facilities.
Meanwhile, in midcoast Maine, where the spent fuel from the decommissioned Maine Yankee nuclear plant has been stored on-site in Wiscasset, an editorial in the Brunswick Times Record calls for the nuclear waste to be shipped away. The editorial notes that citizens were told that waste would be removed by 2010 -- and with Yucca Mountain no longer viable as a storage site, area residents see no prospect of the waste being taken away as promised.
Just as oil and natural gas tank storage capacity can be used to smooth out swings in the availability and market price of fuel, energy storage can play a major role in ensuring power service while dampening price swings. Frequency regulation -- keeping the alternating current at 60 Hz, which essentially requires smoothing out the gap between supply and demand on an instantaneous basis -- is an important service that all electric grids need. As more and more intermittent generation resources come online, like wind, grids need more and more frequency regulation. Massive mechanical flywheels can provide this service. In today's news, Beacon Power Corporation has closed on a $43 million DOE-backstopped loan, completing the financing for the 20 MW flywheel energy storage plant Beacon is building in Stephentown, New York. The plant, which is under construction and on budget, is projected to cost $69 million, about 80% of which represents direct facility costs. The Federal Financing Bank, part of the U.S. Treasury, provided the $43 million loan. NYSERDA provided a $2 million grant, with Beacon putting up the remaining $26 million in cash, in-kind assets, and project costs. Beacon is also planning two more 20 MW flywheel projects: one in Glenville, NY, and one in the PJM Interconnection.
Supporting renewable and energy efficiency projects through grant funding programs is one way to improve a state's energy efficiency and emissions. In China, the world's largest energy consumer, the government is taking a different approach: ordering 2,087 industrial manufacturers rated as having low energy efficiency to close. Affected facilities, which produce steel, concrete, paper, coke, and forest products, will lose their emissions licenses next month. Just to be sure, the government will order utilities and banks to cease dealings with the sanctioned businesses. The government's stated motivations include slippage on its five-year plan energy efficiency plan, as China's economic recovery and booming construction industry drive energy consumption up.
Maine is moving forward with PACE financing -- but municipalities need to take a bit of action to open the door to residential energy efficiency in their communities.
Two quick links to Lewiston Sun Journal pieces about wind. First, a story by Naomi Schalit critical of the results of Governor Baldacci's pro-wind efforts. Second, a letter from my friend and Leadership Maine classmate Paul Williamson providing a counterpoint to last month's Jonathan Carter column critical of Maine mountaintop wind. More to follow on these stories soon.
Meanwhile, in midcoast Maine, where the spent fuel from the decommissioned Maine Yankee nuclear plant has been stored on-site in Wiscasset, an editorial in the Brunswick Times Record calls for the nuclear waste to be shipped away. The editorial notes that citizens were told that waste would be removed by 2010 -- and with Yucca Mountain no longer viable as a storage site, area residents see no prospect of the waste being taken away as promised.
Just as oil and natural gas tank storage capacity can be used to smooth out swings in the availability and market price of fuel, energy storage can play a major role in ensuring power service while dampening price swings. Frequency regulation -- keeping the alternating current at 60 Hz, which essentially requires smoothing out the gap between supply and demand on an instantaneous basis -- is an important service that all electric grids need. As more and more intermittent generation resources come online, like wind, grids need more and more frequency regulation. Massive mechanical flywheels can provide this service. In today's news, Beacon Power Corporation has closed on a $43 million DOE-backstopped loan, completing the financing for the 20 MW flywheel energy storage plant Beacon is building in Stephentown, New York. The plant, which is under construction and on budget, is projected to cost $69 million, about 80% of which represents direct facility costs. The Federal Financing Bank, part of the U.S. Treasury, provided the $43 million loan. NYSERDA provided a $2 million grant, with Beacon putting up the remaining $26 million in cash, in-kind assets, and project costs. Beacon is also planning two more 20 MW flywheel projects: one in Glenville, NY, and one in the PJM Interconnection.
Supporting renewable and energy efficiency projects through grant funding programs is one way to improve a state's energy efficiency and emissions. In China, the world's largest energy consumer, the government is taking a different approach: ordering 2,087 industrial manufacturers rated as having low energy efficiency to close. Affected facilities, which produce steel, concrete, paper, coke, and forest products, will lose their emissions licenses next month. Just to be sure, the government will order utilities and banks to cease dealings with the sanctioned businesses. The government's stated motivations include slippage on its five-year plan energy efficiency plan, as China's economic recovery and booming construction industry drive energy consumption up.
Maine is moving forward with PACE financing -- but municipalities need to take a bit of action to open the door to residential energy efficiency in their communities.
Two quick links to Lewiston Sun Journal pieces about wind. First, a story by Naomi Schalit critical of the results of Governor Baldacci's pro-wind efforts. Second, a letter from my friend and Leadership Maine classmate Paul Williamson providing a counterpoint to last month's Jonathan Carter column critical of Maine mountaintop wind. More to follow on these stories soon.
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