New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the availability of $12 million to fund innovative electric grid technologies in the Empire State, a move meant to enhance the efficiency and reliability of clean energy delivery. According to the official statement from the governor's office, this financial boost looks to bolster the performance of the grid and simplify the incorporation of renewable sources like wind and solar power.
The Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) program, which is overseen by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), is actively seeking proposals that range from product development to demonstration projects or research studies that aim to transform energy delivery. With a July 15 proposal due date looming, NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris mentioned that “Ensuring New Yorkers can increasingly rely on renewable energy as part of an expanding electric grid requires us to develop new, innovative ways to transfer electricity to homes and businesses. With this funding, we will continue to foster public-private partnerships that drive toward the adoption of cutting-edge products and solutions that are essential to building a smarter, higher-performing electric grid.” These proposals, which demonstrate a clear action plan for adoption readiness, must meet specific cost-share requirements, with a 50 percent share for product development and demonstrations and a 25 percent share for studies, as noted by the governor's office.
Available funding goes up to $3 million per product development or demonstration project, while research studies can receive up to $400,000. Seeking to advance a suite of grid improvements, eligible proposals should touch on transmission utilization, modern infrastructure, stability, protection systems, operational awareness, and other key areas such as artificial intelligence for data analytics and improved maintenance methods.
As reported by Governor Hochul's office, the partnerships boosting the innovation are made in collaboration with the Joint Utilities of New York and the Advanced Technology Working Group. This cooperation aims to understand how renewable energy integrations impact transmission and distribution systems reaching over 13 million statewide households, businesses, and government facilities. New York's dedication to clean energy research and commercialization has already funneled more than $800 million into over 700 companies, enabling nearly 300 products to approach commercial availability, all part of ongoing efforts to transition towards an emissions-free economy by 2050.
Funding for this innovative grid technology initiative comes through the Clean Energy Fund (CEF), underscoring New York's commitment to a climate agenda that emphasizes an affordable, just transition to a clean energy economy. This agenda targets the creation of family-sustaining jobs and mandates that at least 35 percent of the benefits are directed to disadvantaged communities. The aforementioned funding and development strategies are essential elements in New York’s larger-scale plan to realize an emissions-free economy by the middle of the century, taking on challenges across the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.
