O&R’s Exploring New Energy Storage Technology for Grid Support

Orange and Rockland (O&R) wants to help customers reduce the amount of electricity that they will need from the grid during peak summer hours through the installation of an innovative battery storage system.

To achieve that goal, O&R is asking prospective business partners to provide proposals to bring that technology to O&R’s Pomona service area.

O&R will take the best ideas and, coupled with an opportunity for incentives for customers who are willing to participate in the program, identify the best solution that fits O&R’s requirements.

Rather than adding infrastructure to provide more electricity, O&R wants to reduce the demand for electricity, cutting the peak load demand in this area by up to 6 megawatts.

“New technologies give us new options,” said O&R Vice President – Operations Francis W. Peverly. “Using those options, we can work with customers to help them manage their usage, get renewable energy and reduce their monthly bills.”

The reduction in the demand for electricity that battery storage technologies can provide will enable O&R to defer construction of a multi-million dollar substation — a cost that would be borne by customers.

It is an approach that saves money for customers, helps O&R maintain reliable service and reduces emissions from power plants.

This project is designed to support Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) goals of building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. REV aims to help consumers make more informed energy choices, develop new energy products and services, and protect the environment while creating new jobs and economic opportunity throughout the state.

O&R has identified other areas where the company can work with customers to reduce their need for grid power and plans to release additional requests for proposals. Click here www.oru.com/en/business-partners/non-wires-alternatives for more information about the concept.

Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, is a regulated utility. O&R provides electric service to approximately 300,000 customers in southeastern New York State (where its franchise name is Orange & Rockland) and northern New Jersey (where it’s Rockland Electric Company) and natural gas service to approximately 130,000 customers in New York.

For financial, operations and customer service information, visit oru.com. For energy efficiency information, visit www.oru.com/save.

O&R Press Release