- By NYSERDA
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Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, "Under Governor Cuomo's nation-leading commitment to deploying 3,000 MW of energy storage by 2030, New York is rapidly becoming one of the leading markets for energy storage development in the U.S., and this new Guidebook will be a critical tool for local governments, developers, and customers who seek to adopt energy storage solutions. Energy storage is a key resource in our ability to build the 100% clean electricity system of the future, and NYSERDA is committed to providing hands-on resources to communities all across New York as we build a cleaner, more cost-effective and more resilient energy system for the long term."
Developed by NYSERDA, the Guidebook represents the first comprehensive set of guidelines for reviewing and evaluating battery energy storage systems and is an important first step in protecting public and firefighter safety while promoting the safe deployment of battery energy storage. The Guidebook helps local government officials, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) and others understand and develop battery energy storage system permitting and inspection processes to ensure efficiency, transparency, and safety in their local communities.
In December 2018, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) adopted Cuomo's target for 1,500 megawatts of energy storage by 2025 and established a 3,000 megawatt target by 2030. Achieving these goals will serve many critical roles in supporting New York's clean energy future. As the grid becomes smarter and more decentralized, energy storage will enhance efficiency of the electric grid to better integrate renewable energy resources by deploying storage energy where it is needed most. Further, energy storage systems will allow New York to meet its peak power needs without relying on its oldest and dirtiest peak generating plants, many of which are approaching the end of their useful lives.
The Guidebook contains the following chapters:
- Battery Energy Storage System Model Law (Model Law): The Model Law is intended to help local government officials and AHJs adopt ordinances and legislation to responsibly accommodate battery energy storage systems in their communities. The Model Law lays out procedural frameworks and substantive requirements for residential, commercial, and utility-scale battery energy storage systems.
- Battery Energy Storage System Model Permit (Model Permit): The Model Permit provides an example of the minimum submittal requirements for electrical and structural plan review that are necessary when permitting residential and small commercial battery energy storage systems.
- Battery Energy Storage System Inspection Checklist: The Battery Energy Storage System Inspection Checklist is a guideline for field inspections of residential and small commercial battery energy storage systems. It can be used directly by local code enforcement officers or provided to a third-party inspection agency.
- When combined with all applicable provisions of the codes, regulations, and industry standards as referenced in the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, these resources create a comprehensive process to safely permit all types of battery energy storage systems. NYSERDA will continue to work with permitting authorities and the industry to test the processes outlined in the guide so they can be refined and updated as the codes and standards evolve, with additional chapters to be added in the future as needed.
Last April, NYSERDA worked with the City University of New York (CUNY) Smart Distributed Generation Hub, Fire Department of New York City (FDNY), the New York City Department of Buildings and technical consultant DNV GL to develop a guide for installing exterior lithium-ion batteries in New York City. The Guidebook announced today builds upon that work to present a comprehensive compilation of code and best practices to help municipalities across New York State understand and develop battery energy storage system permitting and inspection processes for both exterior and interior installations.
NYSERDA offers continuing free technical assistance to local governments help implement the resources outlined in the Guidebook.
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