NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin Driscoll Tours Cadenza Battery Storage System Demonstration Site Outside White Plains Office

Interim NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll recently toured the innovative Cadenza Battery Storage System located outside the Authority’s White Plains Office.

The tour, led by Alan Ettlinger, Senior Director of Research, Technology and Innovation, and Steven Wilkie, Senior Research and Technology Engineer II, featured a walkthrough of the 50kW/250kWh battery storage system. The installation uses Cadenza Innovation’s (out of Danbury, CT) "supercell" lithium-ion technology. It is specifically designed to prevent the spreading of a thermal runaway event, which results from internal short circuits that could lead to a fire.

The Cadenza Battery Storage System is a first of its kind unit that can propel alternative lithium-ion technology into the future, while helping the Authority meet its VISION2030 strategic plan goals and other aggressive energy storage goals established in the Governor's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Following the battery fire at Arizona Public Service’s McMicken site in Surprise, AZ, many states, including New York State, adopted stringent requirements when it comes to lithium-ion battery installations. The architecture of Cadenza’s “supercell” is a fundamental building block of the battery. It is produced with funding assistance from NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) and is specifically designed with fire safety as a priority. It’s design leads to a host of new possibilities for lithium-ion battery installation and energy storage in urban areas.

 “This technology prevents a 'thermal runaway,' meaning that if there is an incident or an issue with one of the battery cells, it will be contained in that one cell and is not expected to propagate to surrounding cells that make up the battery system. This inherent safety feature will enable energy storage systems that rely on this type of technology to be installed in urban areas. It has been a challenge for utilities around the world, and we are evaluating it right here in White Plains,” Alan said. 

"We have been evaluating energy storage solutions and the concerns of lithium-ion thermal runaway for a while, and the Cadenza BESS has the potential to really deliver. To get it installed and working over the last few years, through COVID and other challenges, is truly gratifying, and the future of lithium-ion battery technology in urban areas looks fantastic," commented Steve.

“Projects like the Cadenza BESS clearly show how groups like Operations, Research & Technology Development and Information Technology can come together to produce effective, highly beneficial, real-world results. Collaborative projects like this show NYPA embracing its core VISION2030 strategic plan values and boldly leading the energy sector into a great, sustainable, future,” said Rob Piascik, Senior Vice President, Chief Information and Technology Officer. 

“To meet New York State’s clean energy targets, we need a multifaceted approach that includes creative solutions such as battery storage and innovative adaptation of our current infrastructure to meet the energy demands of tomorrow in a cleaner way, and the Cadenza BESS shows NYPA leading the way,” commented Interim President Driscoll as the tour ended.