Central Hudson, NRG Awarded Funds for Microgrid Feasibility Study at Stewart International Airport
July 09,2015
A microgrid project proposed by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation and NRG Energy, Inc. will be awarded funding for a full feasibility study by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) through the NY Prize community microgrid competition, the companies announced
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp, NRG Energy, Inc., the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Town of New Windsor, Orange County have partnered to evaluate the potential of a resilient microgrid at Stewart International Airport that would also benefit critical facilities in the Town of New Windsor.
NY Prize is a $40 million competition offered through the NYSERDA to help communities create microgrids (or, standalone energy systems) that can operate independently in the event of a power outage. The proposed project, under joint development by Central Hudson and NRG, will receive $100,000 to conduct a study to further evaluate its feasibility, benefits and cost. Through this competition, NYSERDA is providing funding for studies for a total of 83 projects throughout New York.
If the project study is approved, it may be eligible for up to $1 million for development of detailed designs, and if selected up to $7 million for construction.
The proposed microgrid at Stewart International Airport is expected to deploy an optimized mix of distributed resources including combined heat and power, solar, and battery/thermal storage; full reliable emergency generation; and an integrated control system and management platform. The objectives include increasing the airport’s ability to maintain full terminal operations and ensure the continuity of critical services in the event grid power is lost; promoting the use of clean and efficient energy sources at the airport and nearby Town of New Windsor facilities; and aggregating, coordinating, and optimizing new and existing resources during grid-tied and emergency conditions.
Other nearby beneficiaries include a municipal water pump station operated by the Town of New Windsor, and state and federal agencies providing law enforcement support, search and rescue operations and medical evacuation services.
Central Hudson and NRG are also named partners for other awarded studies through NY Prize. Central Hudson will be partnering with the City of Kingston, Town of New Paltz and Village of Wappingers Falls in evaluating proposed projects in these municipalities, while NRG will be partnering with the City of Long Beach, City of Yonkers and City of Oswego.