What's happening
This bill establishes a statewide program to promote the deployment of energy storage systems and sets targets for their installation through 2030.
Why it matters
Defines and prioritizes "qualified energy storage systems". the bill sets out specific criteria for what counts as energy storage, emphasizing technologies that help integrate renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gases, lower peak electricity demand, defer infrastructure costs, or improve grid reliability. This focus helps ensure public funds and incentives target the most impactful projects.
Creates a coordinated statewide deployment plan. by requiring the Public Service Commission to set installation targets and program designs in consultation with key state authorities, it ensures that efforts across agencies are unified, reducing duplication and maximizing effectiveness.
Requires annual tracking and public reporting. mandating annual reports on the program’s success brings transparency and accountability, which can help build public trust and ensure the program adapts to challenges and new opportunities over time.
Extends regulatory authority over energy storage. the bill clarifies that even entities like the Long Island Power Authority, which usually operate outside certain Public Service Commission regulations, must comply with new energy storage requirements. This means the program will have broad reach, covering most of the state’s electric grid.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Launch Energy Storage Program
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Substituted by A6571
- Ordered to third reading cal.1887
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Start Energy Storage Program
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5190
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 13, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, FUNKE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
AN ACT to amend the public service law and the public authorities law, in relation to establishing the energy storage deployment program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 74 to read as follows:
§ 74. Energy storage deployment program. 1. (a) As used in this section "qualified energy storage system" shall mean commercially available technology that is capable of absorbing energy, storing it for a period of time, and thereafter dispatching the energy. A qualified energy storage system shall be cost-effective and either assist the integration of variable energy resources, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, reduce demand for peak electrical generation, defer or substitute for an investment in generation, transmission, or distribution assets, or improve the reliable operation of the electrical transmission or distribution grid.
(b) A qualified energy storage system shall do one or more of the following: (i) use mechanical, chemical, or thermal processes to store energy that was generated at one time for use at a later time; (ii) store thermal energy for direct use for heating or cooling at a later time in a manner that avoids the need to use electricity at that later time; (iii) use mechanical, chemical, or thermal processes to store energy generated from renewable resources for use at a later time; or (iv) use mechanical, chemical, or thermal processes to store energy generated from mechanical processes that would otherwise be wasted for delivery at a later time.
2. Within ninety days of the effective date of this section, the commission shall commence a proceeding to establish the energy storage
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10350-01-7
S. 5190 2
deployment program to encourage the installation of qualified energy storage systems. No later than January first, two thousand eighteen, the commission shall make a determination establishing a target for the installation of qualified energy storage systems to be achieved through two thousand thirty and programs that will enable the state to meet such target. The commission shall consult with the New York state energy research and development authority and the Long Island power authority in the preparation of such determination. The determination shall include the following:
(a) The creation of the energy storage deployment program to be administered by the New York state energy research and development authority and the Long Island power authority;
(b) Estimated annual expenditures associated with the program for each year commencing with calendar year two thousand eighteen and continuing through calendar year two thousand thirty;
(c) Program designs that take the following into consideration:
(1) avoided or deferred costs associated with transmission, distribution, and/or capacity;
(2) minimization of peak load in constrained areas; and
(3) systems that are connected to customer facilities and systems that are directly connected to transmission and distribution facilities;
(d) Annual reports on the achievements and effectiveness of the program to be submitted to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly; and
(e) Such other issues deemed appropriate by the commission.
§ 2. Sections 1020-ii, 1020-jj and 1020-kk of the public authorities law, as renumbered by chapter 388 of the laws of 2011, are renumbered sections 1020-jj, 1020-kk and 1020-ll and a new section 1020-ii is added to read as follows:
§ 1020-ii. Energy storage deployment program. The authority shall encourage the installation of qualified energy storage systems in its service territory through implementation of the energy storage deployment program as set forth and defined in section seventy-four of the public service law.
§ 3. Subdivision 1 of section 1020-s of the public authorities law, as amended by section 9 of part A of chapter 173 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
1. The rates, services and practices relating to the electricity generated by facilities owned or operated by the authority shall not be subject to the provisions of the public service law or to regulation by, or the jurisdiction of, the public service commission, except to the extent (a) article seven of the public service law applies to the siting and operation of a major utility transmission facility as defined therein, (b) article ten of such law applies to the siting of a generating facility as defined therein, (c) section eighteen-a of such law provides for assessment for certain costs, property or operations, [and] (d) to the extent that the department of public service reviews and makes recommendations with respect to the operations and provision of services of, and rates and budgets established by, the authority pursuant to section three-b of such law, and (e) that section seventy-four of the public service law applies to qualified energy storage systems within the authority's jurisdiction.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public service law and the public authorities law, in relation to establishing the energy storage deployment program
Purpose
To promote the installation of qualified energy storage systems through the energy storage deployment program.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends the public service law by adding a new section 74, "Energy storage deployment program", which: i) defines a qualified energy storage system as technology that is capable of absorbing energy, storing it for a period of time, and thereafter dispatching the energy; ii) specifies that such storage systems can use mechanical, chemical or thermal processes to store energy that was generated from renewable resources or through mechanical processes; iii) provides that such storage system can store thermal energy for direct use for heating or cooling at a later time. Additionally, it provides that the Public Service Commission (PSC) shall establish 2030 targets for the installation of such systems. In doing so, the Commission will consult with the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority and with the Long Island Power Authority. The latter two entities will administer the Energy Storage Deployment Program starting in 2018, providing: a) estimates for the annual program expenditures until 2030, b) program designs related to the deferred or avoided costs and the reduction of peaks, c) performance reports and anything else the PSC deems appropriate.
Section two provides that sections 1020-ii, 1020-jj and 1020-kk of the public authorities law are renumbered sections 1020-jj, 1020-kk and 1020-11, and a new section 1020-ii is added. The latter states that the Authority shall encourage the installation of qualified storage systems in its service territory, by implementing an energy storage deployment program as defined in the new section 74 of the public service law.
Section three amends subdivision 1 of section 1020-s of the public authorities law to add that section 74 of public service law applies to qualified energy storage systems within the authority's jurisdiction.
Section four provides the effective date.
Justification
In an effort to combat climate change, renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are being used more extensively than in the past. This development is leading to a change in the energy supply and demand patterns.
The fact that solar and wind are intermittent has presented significant challenges. For example, solar produces power primarily during the day. Conversely, wind is stronger at night, leading to a higher production of energy at night than in the day.
Energy storage systems can efficiently solve the issues related to the timing mismatch between energy supply and demand. In fact, by absorbing and storing energy resources, storage systems are able to reduce demand for peak hours, boosting the resilience and reliability of the electric grid. This way, renewable energy can be available continuously, resulting in a reduced need for baseload generation.
This legislation defines qualified energy storage systems, and provides a regulatory framework for the PSC to start the energy storage deployment program. This will encourage the installation of such systems throughout New York State, leading to a more efficient and sustainable use of renewable energy sources.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.