Dive Brief:
- New York will provide funding to 53 combined heat and power projects aimed at bringing resilient on-site power to hospitals, schools and other buildings, while reducing demand on the state’s power grid.
- The projects will increase New York's total number of combined heat and power systems by approximately 10%.
- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is providing more than $41 million to the 53 new systems, while private investment for those systems totals more than $217 million.
Dive Insight:
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has undertaken a concerted effort to bolster the state's CHP resource, and has announced a round of funding that will result in a 10% increase to the overall number of systems.
“New York is committed to a clean energy grid that also reduces our electricity demand, saving money for taxpayers and businesses," Cuomo said in a statement. "These projects will help contribute to this goal, cutting existing energy consumption and working toward creating a sustainable and resilient community."
CHP systems are used in more than 500 buildings in New York. Once the 53 projects are complete, the total fleet of NYSERDA-supported CHP systems will offset more than 200 MW of grid power.
NYSERDA is providing more than $41 million through its CHP program to the 53 new systems, and private investment is contributing $217 million. NYSERDA said it would continue to offer assistance for combined heat and power under the proposed Clean Energy Fund.
“By improving a building’s energy efficiency, a combined heat and power system provides significant cost-savings to companies, while also reducing energy demands on the grid," New York Chair of Energy and Finance Richard Kauffman said. "Under the governor’s REV strategy, strengthening the resiliency of our energy systems is a key goal, and this technology will help ensure that public facilities like hospitals and schools will be able to maintain critical operations and provide vital services during major storms and power outages.”
