The $30 million funding provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), is for the third round in the Future Grid Challenge. This funding will be available to projects that solve the technical problems of integrating renewable energy into the electric grid. Single or team providers can apply for funding up to $3 million to develop, demonstrate or study innovative technologies to support modern transmission or distribution. These efforts support New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) goal to achieve 70% renewable electricity by 2030.
“With the release of this latest round of the Future Grid Challenge, we are seeking to support critical technology solutions that will allow the electric grid to continue to handle increasing amounts of renewable energy,” says Doreen M. Harris, NYSERDA’s president and CEO. “Investments in innovation are investments in a grid of the future that incorporates clean energy and allows for dynamic management and operation to ensure resilient and reliable transmission and distribution, even when factoring in the impacts of climate change.”
NYSERDA is looking for proposals to support the implementation of advanced technologies that can play an important role in ensuring reliability and distribution system. This will reduce cost and allow for faster integration of renewables. It will also help the state meet its ambitious climate goals. This challenge focuses on high-priority grid technologies, including power flow control devices; energy stock for transmission and distribution services; tools to improve operator situational awareness; transformer monitoring and advanced high-temperature and low sag conductors; compact Tower design; distribution energy management system; and grid impacts from off-shore wind interconnection.
Solicitation proposals must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. November 2, 2022.
“Supporting the development of new technology is critically important as we deal aggressively with the need to create a clean energy grid,” comments Rory M. Christian, CEO of the Department of Public Service. “The new technology that will be created will help ensure transmission and distribution system reliability, while speeding integration of renewables that will assist New York in meeting its nation-leading climate goals.”
The Future Grid Challenge is part of NYSERDA’s Smart Grid Program included in the State’s Clean Energy Fund (CEF) Grid Modernization Program, which is providing a total of $110 million through 2026 to further research, develop and provide funding for innovative solutions that support the advancement of a smart, modernized electric grid, remove barriers and enable the utility investments necessary for full deployment at scale of advanced technologies for the power grid. Since 2016, NYSERDA’s Smart Grid program has awarded approximately $57 million under 100 contracts to grid technology companies and research organizations for projects including low-cost, high-accuracy grid sensors, modeling and simulation tools, and advanced engineering solutions for more effective integration of renewable energy resources.
The Future Grid Challenge is administered by NYSERDA and provides funding for grid technology companies and research institutes that address problems such as the need to have more real-time data and incorporating smart technologies and energy storage in power grid planning and operation. Challenges are developed in partnership with the Joint Utilities of New York members Con Edison, Central Hudson Gas & Electric, National Grid, New York State Electric and Gas, Rochester Gas & Electric, and Orange & Rockland to accommodate renewable energy sources and understanding their impact on the transmission and distribution systems. Together, these utilities provide electric service for more than 13,000,000 households, businesses, and government buildings across the state.
Image: “Solar Panel” by redplanet89 is licensed under CC BY 2.0