Gas-Fired NYC Power Plant converting to Renewable Energy Hub for Wind, Solar, Storage

July 13, 2022
The ‘Renewable Ravenswood’ solution will reposition the 27-acre waterfront industrial site as a central hub for integrating clean energy sources, such as offshore wind, upstate wind and solar, into the city’s electric grid

Independent power generator Rise Light & Power intends to redevelop its Ravenswood Generating Station as a renewable energy hub to help New York achieve its climate goals.

The ‘Renewable Ravenswood’ solution will reposition the 27-acre waterfront industrial site as a central hub for integrating clean energy sources, such as offshore wind, upstate wind and solar, into the city’s electric grid. Ravenswood is a nearly 60-year-old unit historically powered by fuel oil and natural gas.

“New York City has for too long relied almost exclusively on fossil fuels to power the city. Our future demands innovative and reliable clean energy solutions, and we will deliver just that with our bold move to retire Ravenswood’s 1960s-era fossil fuel units and transition to a Renewable Ravenswood in its place,” said Clint Plummer, Chief Executive Officer of Rise Light & Power. “Rise Light & Power’s vision for a Renewable Ravenswood will transform New York’s energy system and help the state achieve its ambitious climate targets.”

A total of five programs will be covered under Renewable Ravenswood, namely:

·        The repurposing of the existing infrastructure to connect thousands of megawatts of clean energy to the New York City grid

·         Connecting wind, solar, and other clean energy resources from the electric grid to ensure reliable power supply throughout the year

·         Repurposing the river water intake system to supply zero-emission thermal energy to communities in the vicinity

·         Deploying a large-scale battery energy storage at the site

·         Keeping and creating family-sustaining, good paying jobs and providing training

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The project, if approved, will power over 2 million New York homes with renewable energy and provide clean heating and cooling for as many as 15,000 residents.

Several years ago, New York regulators approved a plan to build a 316-MW battery storage facility at Ravenswood. The energy storage project would be utilized for grid support and peak demand services at the time, according to earlier reports.

 Rise LIght & Power gained support for its transition to carbon-free energy from New York state officials in May 2021.