NY Prize is a part of a statewide initiative to modernize New York State’s electric grid, spurring innovation and community partnerships with utilities, local governments, and private sector. The mission is to enable the technological, operational, and business models that will help communities reduce costs, promote clean energy, and build reliability and resiliency into the grid.

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NY Prize is a first-in-the-nation competition to help communities create microgrids. Microgrids are local energy networks that are able to separate from the larger electrical grid during extreme weather events or emergencies, providing power to individual customers and crucial public services such as hospitals, first responders, and water treatment facilities in the event of a power outage.

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In 2016, the CNY RPDB completed one of 83 preliminary feasibility studies funded through Stage 1 of the NY Prize program with GE Energy as the consultant.  The project evaluated would provide electricity generated at OCRRA's waste-to-energy facility to Loretto, Community General Hospital, Van Dyun Nursing Home, Onondaga Community College, and other critical facilities.  Results of the Stage 1 study were among the most favorable in the state with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.6 and an internal rate of return of 222%. Click here to view the full Stage 1 Feasibility Study.

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This project is one of 11 entries that was awarded funding for a Stage 2 study, for a full engineering study being conducted by GE Energy, CHA, and Couch White.

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This article explains the Syracuse project in more detail, along with the next steps in the NY Prize program.

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This link contains more information, including presentation slides from CHA and GE regarding the project.

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