New York Approves $300 Million Battery Energy Storage Facility

A battery-based energy storage facility in New York City was approved Tuesday for construction and operation by the New York State Public Service Commission.

The $300 million Luyster Creek Energy Storage facility in Astoria, Queens, will have capacity up to 135 megawatts and is expected to be operational by 2024.

• The commission said the project won’t result in significant adverse environmental impacts and will reduce reliance on older oil- and natural gas-fired peaker plants.
• “The Luyster Creek project advances New York State’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction and renewable energy goals as outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), including 3,000 MW of statewide energy storage capacity by 2030,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian in a statement.
• The project fits within New York City’s goals of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, 70% renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality, the commission said in a statement.