ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that it has become a partner in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Better Buildings Combined Heat and Power Resiliency Accelerator, to help improve critical infrastructure in communities. As a partner, NYSERDA will work to support and expand the use of combined heat and power (CHP) technologies for improved efficiency and enhanced resiliency.
CHP is a technology that produces both electricity and heat on-site or near the point of use and, therefore, can continue to provide power and heat to a building when the utility grid is interrupted. The technology is proven to achieve greater energy efficiency.
NYSERDA will coordinate a partnership consisting of the Long Island Power Authority, PSEG-Long Island, and National Grid’s Keyspan Energy Delivery division. This team will conduct a pilot by reviewing the critical role CHP played in providing uninterrupted energy to facilities on Long Island in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee. The team will subsequently distribute the results of its review and a compilation of best practices to all regions of the state.
“New York applauds the U.S. Department of Energy for establishing this Accelerator to speed the strategic deployment of combined heat and power technologies,” said John B. Rhodes, NYSERDA president and CEO. “Faster and broader growth of CHP usage is key to Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading REV [Reforming the Energy Vision] strategy that is building a cleaner, more affordable and more resilient system for all New Yorkers.”
Also known as cogeneration, combined heat and power can shave 15 to 30 percent off a building’s existing energy consumption. It is currently employed in 570 buildings in New York state, approximately 13 percent of the 4,400 buildings nationwide that use the technology. These 570 CHP systems provide 5.7 gigawatts of power — enough to provide electricity to more than 4.2 million homes.
The Better Buildings Combined Heat and Power for Resiliency Accelerator has a goal of boosting investment in energy efficiency improvement projects across the country. The focus of the collaboration is to examine the perceptions and technology gaps of CHP among resiliency planners, and support the development of plans for communities to increase the adoption of CHP as a reliable, high efficiency, low emissions electricity and thermal energy source for critical infrastructure.
Better Buildings Accelerators were developed based on high priority issues that organizations and governments across the U.S. are actively working to solve, despite critical policy, financial, and technology challenges.
For more information on the various Better Buildings Accelerators, visit http://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/accelerators.
Publication date: 6/17/2016
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