New York Commission Issues Order Addressing Offshore Wind Energy Integration

The New York State Public Service Commission on Jan. 20 issued an order on recommendations related to offshore wind energy integration identified in the Power Grid Study released in January 2021. The order requires revisions to upcoming offshore wind procurements and establishes a technology working group to test and implement innovative transmission technologies. Further, the commission seeks comprehensive plans from Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc. for an interconnection hub for wind energy. The study is required by the 2020 Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act’s provisions concerning distribution and transmission upgrades and capital expenditures needed to meet the state’s clean energy goals including installing 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035.

The Power Grid Study identifies local transmission and distribution upgrades necessary to achieve the mandates under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which requires New York to achieve a carbon-free power system by 2040. The report includes a study of offshore and onshore bulk power transmission infrastructure scenarios and related environmental permitting considerations, to illustrate possible solutions to integrate the mandated 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035. A key concern addressed by the commission was the study’s critical proposals relating to the integration of offshore wind with the state’s onshore network.

The 2020 law directed various agencies, including the utilities and the New York Independent System Operator to initiate the Power Grid Study, in order to address grid planning efforts needed to meet the state’s ambitious clean energy mandates. The commission and utilities are tasked with developing and executing plans for electric transmission and distribution investments.

The order focuses on the study’s recommendation for offshore wind integration. The commission acknowledges the potential advantages of creating a “mesh” system to manage energy injections from multiple offshore wind generating projects. The order establishes a requirement that future systems be designed with the optional capability to interconnect with such a system if the commission were to later recommend such configurations.

The technology working group is tasked with evaluating advanced transmission technologies that can help reach the clean energy targets at reduced costs.  Utilities are required to identify pathways to implementing such technologies. A progress report is due in six months.