This week, New York State announced that its new energy storage project that uses an innovation in lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology is online. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) helped fund the project.

The battery was developed by Connecticut-based Cadenza Innovation, using technology from the company’s UL-listed supercell battery architecture. Cadenza says its technology substantially reduces the risk of propagation of thermal runaway while packaging components to lower costs and increase safety, resulting in a design that improves energy density and advances the Li-ion battery industry.

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Under the project, NYPA, the largest state public power organization in the nation, will investigate the effectiveness of the energy storage system at reducing the peak load typical of a commercial building. Once demonstrated, the system could be replicated at other businesses throughout New York State and beyond.

“Safe battery storage paired with renewable energy sources will be necessary for New York to meet its nation-leading clean energy targets,” said NYPA President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones. “NYPA is pleased to collaborate with Cadenza Innovation and NYSERDA in investigating this unique proof-of-concept storage project, which could be a real game-changer in the promotion of safety and cost savings as we develop new, cleaner technologies to fight climate change and advance a safe, sustainable grid of the future.”

NYSERDA awarded Cadenza Innovation a grant to demonstrate to the technology at NYPA’s offices. Now in place following extensive development, testing and certification, the fully integrated, metal-enclosed and rack-mounted 250 kilowatt hour (kWh), 50 kilowatt (kW) battery storage unit will shave the Power Authority office’s peak electricity demand for up to five hours while delivering a cost-effective, high-​performance energy storage solution.

The total cost of the research and development project will be approximately $3 million. NYSERDA provided $1 million in support with Cadenza contributing the majority of remainder. NYPA contributed approximately $50,000 in addition to hosting the site, performing extensive research, and sharing its development and engineering expertise.

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“NYSERDA is proud to support Cadenza’s energy storage project through our Innovation program as part of our efforts to scale up solutions that will accelerate our transition to a 100 percent zero-emission electric grid under Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading clean energy goals,” said NYSERDA Acting President and CEO Doreen M. Harris.

“Li-ion batteries are the most readily available and widely deployed technology to enable energy storage deployments for commercial and industrial markets, the grid and other applications,” said Cadenza Innovation Founder and CEO Dr. Christina Lampe-Onnerud. “It’s vital that safety be as much of a priority as performance and affordability and our team has reinvented Li-ion batteries to deliver best-in-class capabilities in all three areas. By working closely with NYPA and Hitachi ABB Power Grids, we’re excited to showcase that our platform delivers on what it promises and is ready for wide-scale use to help drive the transformation to cleaner energy sources.”

“We are delighted to collaborate with Cadenza to implement this innovative solution to help demonstrate the security of power supplies and further support NYPA’s goals for integration of renewable energy,” said Helena Garriga, head of Global Product Group Power & Industry Components, Hitachi ABB Power Grids. “Energy storage solutions will be a key part of the future grid in order to efficiently utilize renewable energy.”