Catalyze Energy, which has a portfolio of solar electric generating facilities and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is proposing to install a BESS at 287 Bowman Ave. in Harrison. Catalyze has one of its regional offices in the office building at that location.
BESS facilities use lithium-ion batteries to store excess electricity that is being generated but not being used in an electric distribution grid. The battery installation feeds the stored electricity into the grid as it is needed. BESS facilities typically are used to store excess electricity generated by wind farms and solar farms until the power is needed.
The Catalyze application to Harrison was submitted on behalf of Purchase Microgrid LLC. The project involves the installation of a five megawatt battery storage facility. A megawatt is one million watts of electricity. The battery unit would be within an area of 82 feet by 68 feet encompassing 5,576 square feet. The property at 287 Bowman Ave. covers more than four acres.
A document prepared by Jeremy Smith of Waldron Engineering says that the BESS would be connected directly to Con Edison’s grid and would not affect the electric service for the office building at the site.
“These systems assist the public in many ways, supporting the electrical grid and removing voltage/frequency issues in the area. They ‘smooth’ the peaky production of renewable energy (wind, solar, water) and allow our society to continue its path towards increasing electrification, which should be a goal for all communities to reduce harmful emissions and clear the air we breathe,” Smith said.
Harrison officials raised questions about the proposal including whether the battery installation could be exposed to flooding, what the visual impacts of the installation might be and what plans would be prepared for decommissioning of the facility if and when that became necessary. The Planning Board was expected to continue reviewing the proposal at its July meeting.
