Fire chief raises concerns about yard-sized battery storage system proposed in Syracuse – Syracuse.com

Report on Proposed Battery Energy Storage System in Syracuse and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview and Contribution to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

A proposal has been submitted by renewable energy company New Leaf Energy for the installation of a 10-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) in Syracuse, N.Y. This project is designed to advance key objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 7 by enhancing the local energy infrastructure to support clean and reliable power.

• Developer: New Leaf Energy
• Capacity: 10-megawatt lithium-ion battery system
• Location: East Brighton Avenue, Syracuse
• Footprint: Approximately 20,000 square feet
• Function: The system will charge during off-peak hours when electricity demand is low and discharge into the grid during peak demand periods. This process helps stabilize the grid and reduces the need for inefficient, fossil-fuel-powered “peaker” plants.
• Community Impact: The stored electricity is sufficient to power between 6,000 and 7,000 households, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable energy supply for the community.

By facilitating the storage of energy, the project directly supports the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid, a core target of SDG 7, while improving energy efficiency.

Safety Concerns and Implications for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

While the project aligns with sustainability goals, significant safety concerns have been raised by local authorities, highlighting a conflict with SDG 11, which emphasizes the development of safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds has stated that the project, as currently designed, does not comply with the state fire code.

1. Code Non-Compliance: An informal review by the Syracuse Fire Department concluded that the proposed installation fails to meet current fire code requirements.
2. Insufficient Setback: The primary concern is that the proposed setback from adjacent structures is inadequate for the volume of flammable lithium-ion batteries to be stored on-site.
3. Precedent for Caution: These concerns are amplified by recent events, including three major fires at BESS facilities across New York State in 2023, which prompted the adoption of new state-level safety regulations for such installations.

Ensuring the safety and resilience of urban infrastructure is paramount. The resolution of these safety issues is critical for the project to positively contribute to the objectives of SDG 11.

Stakeholder Positions and Path Forward

Discussions are ongoing among key stakeholders to address the identified challenges and determine a viable path forward for the project.

• Syracuse Fire Department: Chief Monds has withheld support for the current proposal but affirmed the department’s willingness to continue working with the developer to achieve a design that meets all safety and code requirements.
• New Leaf Energy: Senior Project Developer Terrence Nolan expressed optimism that ongoing dialogue with fire officials will lead to a modified design that satisfies the fire code. The company has also engaged in four community meetings to discuss the project.
• Syracuse Common Council: Councilor Pat Hogan indicated that the council intends to conduct a more detailed study of the proposal in a future committee meeting.
• Community Residents: Public response has been mixed, with expressions of both support and opposition from local residents.

Broader Context: New York’s Energy Goals and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

The proposed Syracuse project is part of a larger statewide initiative to combat climate change, directly supporting SDG 13 (Climate Action). New York State is actively promoting the development of battery storage to build a more reliable and decarbonized electric grid.

• State-Level Incentives: New York has authorized financial incentives to encourage the development of BESS projects to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• Statewide Capacity Goals: New York currently has approximately 1.4 gigawatts of battery storage operational or under contract, with ambitious targets to increase this capacity to 6 gigawatts by 2030 and 12 gigawatts by 2035.

Successfully implementing projects like the one proposed in Syracuse is essential for the state to meet its climate targets and contribute meaningfully to global efforts under SDG 13. However, this progress must be balanced with the critical need to ensure public safety and build resilient community infrastructure as outlined in SDG 11.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  • The article’s central theme is a “10-megawatt battery storage system” designed to enhance the electricity grid. This project directly relates to providing clean and reliable energy by storing power during low demand and releasing it during peak demand, which supports the integration of clean energy sources.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  • The proposed battery system represents an investment in modern, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. The article notes its purpose is to “increase the reliability of the electric grid,” which aligns with the goal of developing quality and reliable infrastructure.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • The project is located in Syracuse and involves urban planning, safety regulations, and community engagement. The fire chief’s concerns about the system not complying with the “state fire code” and the need for proper setbacks from other structures highlight the challenges of integrating such infrastructure safely into a city. The article also mentions that the developer “has discussed the project with community residents at four meetings.”

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • The battery system is presented as a tool for climate action. The article states it would “help reduce the need to operate so-called ‘peaker’ plants – inefficient generating facilities typically fueled by natural gas.” This directly contributes to “decreasing the use of fossil fuels” and mitigating climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The battery storage system supports this by making the grid more stable, which is crucial for integrating intermittent renewable energy sources. The developer, “New Leaf Energy,” is identified as a “Renewable energy company.”
   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The project is a direct investment in clean energy technology (battery storage), supported by “a new round of financial incentives” from New York officials.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being. The project aims to “strengthen the electric grid” and “increase the reliability,” which directly corresponds to building resilient infrastructure.
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The battery system is a clean technology intended to upgrade the existing energy infrastructure by reducing reliance on inefficient fossil-fuel “peaker” plants.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.b: By 2030, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards… resilience [and] disaster risk reduction. The discussion around the project’s compliance with the “state fire code” and the development of “new safety regulations for lithium-ion battery installations” reflects the city’s process of implementing plans for resilient infrastructure while managing associated risks.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. New York State’s plan to have “6 gigawatts by 2030 and 12 GW by 2035” of battery storage is a clear example of integrating climate change mitigation measures into regional and state-level energy planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 7

   • Installed capacity of clean energy technology: The article provides specific figures that can be used as indicators, such as the proposed “10-megawatt” system, the state’s current “1.4 gigawatts of battery storage,” and the future goals of “6 gigawatts by 2030 and 12 GW by 2035.”
   • Investment in clean energy: The mention of “a new round of financial incentives” from New York officials implies a measurable financial commitment to clean energy infrastructure.

2. Indicators for SDG 9

   • Number of households served by resilient infrastructure: The article states the batteries “would store enough electricity to serve 6,000 to 7,000 households,” which is a direct measure of the infrastructure’s impact.

3. Indicators for SDG 11

   • Compliance with safety and building codes: The fire chief’s statement that the proposal “doesn’t meet the fire code” makes compliance with these regulations a key indicator for safe urban development. The article also refers to “new safety regulations for lithium-ion battery installations” approved by the state.
   • Public participation in urban planning: The mention of “four meetings” with “community residents” serves as an indicator of public engagement in the decision-making process for new infrastructure projects.

4. Indicators for SDG 13

   • Reduction in fossil fuel use: The project’s goal to “decrease the use of fossil fuels” by reducing the operation of “peaker’ plants… fueled by natural gas” is a direct, though not yet quantified, indicator of climate action.
   • Adoption of climate change strategies: The state’s official targets for battery storage capacity (“6 gigawatts by 2030”) serve as a concrete indicator of a climate change mitigation strategy being implemented.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: syracuse.com