Critical Infrastructure:
Battery Energy Storage in New York
Battery energy storage is critical to improving grid reliability, harnessing the full power of renewable energy, reducing New York’s reliance on fossil fuels, and transitioning to a modernized electric grid. It is critical to plan for the future, today.
Battery energy storage will be increasingly necessary to store power from renewable energy, like wind and solar, over the coming years to create a more reliable electric grid that delivers clean energy to New Yorkers when they need it most.
How Does It Work?
The Benefits of Battery Energy Storage
Grid Reliability
Battery energy storage will ensure that New York’s electric grid is reliable and resilient, even in the face of extreme weather events.
Battery energy storage systems store energy from renewable energy sources and deliver it when electricity demand is greatest.
Safety
Fire incidents at energy storage facilities are extremely rare and remain isolated. In fact, there has been less than 20 incidents at operating energy storage facilities in the U.S. in the last decade. Nonetheless, the industry is continuous in its proactive approach to work with policymakers and fire officials to promote safety and ensure that best-in-class standards are adhered to.
New York has among the most stringent fire safety codes in relation to battery storage in the nation with updated codes adopted in 2025.
After the codes were adopted, a group of former FDNY leadership released the following statement.
Environmental Benefits
Battery energy storage systems will improve air quality and help support the state’s clean energy transition. Battery energy storage offers a clean, reliable solution to meeting peak demand by replacing fossil fuel-emitting peaker plants. Renewable energy also benefits our water resources.
Battery energy storage systems also have a small footprint and are typically developed alongside existing solar, wind, and other industrial sites.
Economic Benefits
Battery energy storage can stabilize electricity costs for consumers, generate economic investment for local communities, and create good-paying clean energy jobs for New Yorkers.
Battery energy storage paired with transmission infrastructure will be cheaper and more efficient than building new transmission lines to integrate renewable energy.
NYSERDA reported nearly 171,000 clean energy jobs in the state in 2022, with grid modernization and storage jobs accounting for 10% of new jobs. By 2030, the battery storage industry could create approximately 30,000 jobs in New York.
Current Battery Energy Storage Projects in New York
There are 5,000+ existing battery energy storage projects in New York, storing 340.70 MW of clean energy that has bolstered grid resiliency for local communities. (Source: NYSERDA)
Read on about the great improvements battery energy storage facilities are making to our electricity grids.
Newsday: Battery storage is essential; recent fires show that safety is, too
Scientific American: As Heat Waves Roast Texas, Batteries Keep Power Grid Humming
Click to View and Download this Handy FAQ Flyer
Battery Energy Storage in the News
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Newsday
Battery storage can help keep Long Island accessible
By Dan LloydGuest essay
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Times Union
Fire code update targets industrial, utility-scale battery arrays
Article by Rick Karlin
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Lohud
We have to embrace battery energy storage. It can benefit all New Yorkers and our climate
Article by Marguerite Wells and Julie Tighe
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Newsday
Battery storage is essential; recent fires show that safety is, too
Guest Essay by Julie Tighe
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Long Island Business News
Kelleher: New York’s strategic approach to battery storage & safety
Guest Essay by Deb Peck Kelleher