New York Power Authority to Pursue $1.5 Million in New Technology Solutions to Improve Energy Efficiency and Reduce Costs in New York’s Power Infrastructure

For Immediate Release:  8/15/2019

Contact: NYPA Media Inquiries | media.inquiries@nypa.gov | (914) 681-6770

Projects Supported by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to Lead to Increased Power System Efficiency

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is launching a series of research projects seeking to improve the efficiency of power systems and remove potential transmission obstacles that can be faced by New York State utilities. Such new collaborative solutions will support Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s nation-leading Green New Deal, which mandates new clean energy targets to modernize the electric grid and put New York on a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050.

 

More than $1.5 million in funding by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will go toward research focused on hardening underground cables, developing software for early identification of system issues, reducing transmission bottlenecks, and pursuing low frequency AC transmission lines to enhance power transfer capability.

“NYPA is leading the state in accelerating and innovating new technologies to improve energy generation and distribution, make energy use less costly, and predict potential system issues,” said Alan Ettlinger, NYPA’s director of Research, Technology Development & Innovation. “Partnering with NYSERDA allows us to develop timely alternative solutions to build smarter assets and improve the entire New York State grid.”

Mark Torpey, director, Technology and Business Innovation at NYSERDA, said, “These projects will enable the state to develop innovative solutions to support Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading clean energy targets while providing a more resilient energy system for consumers.  New York is committed to advancing smart technologies to combat climate change and provide a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations.”

NYPA’s Research, Technology Development & Innovation team will pursue the following projects:

• Underground Cable Advanced Monitoring and Diagnostic System Demonstration. In an effort to reduce the potential for underground cable leakage and prevent fault problems, this project will demonstrate and evaluate a real-time system that will monitor cathodic protection and assess dissolved gas analysis (DGA) of high pressure fluid-filled (HPFF) cables.  About 14 monitoring sensors will be installed in NYPA Westchester County manholes and the DGA analyzer will be installed at the Eastern Garden City substation on Long Island.  The project is funded by a $600,000 NYSERDA grant.
• Optimized Forecasting Solution for Advanced Overhead Line Demonstration. A new technology that predicts how much power a transmission line can carry will be demonstrated and evaluated for its potential in reducing transmission bottleneck challenges. About 15 weather sensors will be installed on NYPA lines along the 70-mile Moses-Wills-Plattsburgh transmission circuit and the WindSim Power Line Optimization Solution (WPLS) system will be demonstrated on a NYPA server. The project is supported by a $500,000 NYSERDA grant.
• DeepGrid: A Deep Learning Computing System for Resilient Grid Operations.  This project proposes to develop a Deep Learning (DL)-based tool capable of identifying and predicting system issues, alerting operators and recommending possible solutions. Working with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NYPA will combine model-based power system simulation with early warnings from data and applications to improve timely decision making. The project is being funded by a $350,000 NYSERDA award.
• Low Frequency Alternative Current Transmission Line. This project will investigate the possibility of deploying low frequency AC (LFAC) transmission lines to increase power transfer capability. LFAC significantly improves stability, reduces voltage drop along the line, and offers the possibility to reroute power from congested to underutilized transmission corridors. The approach also has competitive advantages for collection of energy from off-shore wind generators using an underground multi-terminal system with a single point of interface to the main grid. NYSERDA is supporting the project with $100,000 in funding.

For more information about research and technology ventures at NYPA, contact Alan Ettlinger at Alan.Ettlinger@nypa.gov or visit the Future of Energy webpage.

 

New York State's Green New Deal

Governor Cuomo's Green New Deal is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, putting the state on a path to being entirely carbon-neutral across all sectors of the economy and establishing a goal to achieve a zero-carbon emissions electricity sector by 2040, faster than any other state. It builds on New York's unprecedented ramp-up of clean energy including a $2.9 billion investment in 46 large-scale renewable projects across the state, the creation of more than 150,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector and 1,700 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2012.

 

The recently passed Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) mandates the Green New Deal’s national leading clean energy targets: nine gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035, six gigawatts of distributed solar by 2025, and three gigawatts of energy storage by 2030, while calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy. The CLCPA also directs New York State agencies and authorities to collaborate with stakeholders to develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 and aim to invest 40 percent of clean energy and energy efficiency program resources to benefit disadvantaged communities.

 

About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

About NYSERDA

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect the environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York State since 1975. To learn more about NYSERDA’s programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.