Energy Storage Project:
38 Cedar Lane

The project is a battery energy storage system proposed to be located on Cedar Lane that will store and provide energy to Highland Falls’ electricity grid. The project will contribute a critical piece of infrastructure that will help New York's ongoing transition towards renewable energy that will replace carbon-based energy sources. The project will store energy for use during peak demand periods, reducing the chance of rolling blackouts and “public safety power shutoffs,” as well as reducing the need for fossil fuel “peaker” plants that contribute to global warming and produce harmful air pollution in communities. 

The proposed site is in the industrial yard of 38 Cedar Lane in the Satterlee Grove neighborhood of the Village of Highland Falls.

Energy storage facilities are an important part of New York state’s long-term plan for modernizing cost-effective, reliable electricity services for residents and businesses. There is a statewide effort to expand energy storage projects to store renewable energy, such as wind and solar. This enables everyone—municipalities, energy companies, residents and businesses—to be more resilient during periods when energy is in high demand and prevents rolling blackouts. 

Absolutely. The project is being proposed through the Village of Highland Falls. Public input is vital to the process. In addition to New Leaf Energy’s direct outreach to neighbors, there will be other opportunities for community input as the project moves through the approval process. Ultimate authority in this process rests with the Village.

• New Leaf only works with manufacturers that have designed and extensively tested to demonstrate the safety of their product. In addition, New Leaf Energy works directly with local fire services to provide personnel training, an emergency response plan and on-call support should the need arise.

• The system at the Cedar Lane project will feature batteries housed in purpose-built, sealed, steel containers. Within each container, the batteries will be separated by airtight metal casings, which enables self-isolation and eliminates the need for human intervention even in a worst-case emergency scenario. 

• Each container will be equipped with its own on-board monitoring and climate controls. The monitoring system will continuously evaluate the voltage and temperature of each battery. The HVAC system will ensure a safe operating temperature is maintained. In the event a battery begins to exceed voltage or temperature parameters, its monitoring system maintains the ability to instantly stop operation and safely shut down the system. In such an instance, emergency services will be automatically notified and an on-call team will be available for fire department support.

Yes. As required by New York fire code, an Emergency Response Plan will be developed as part of the project submittal process, and in coordination with the Village Fire Department and other local First Responders. The plan will meet or exceed all relevant safety regulations. In addition to emergency response, the plan will address public notification, battery recycling/disposal and inspections. 

Yes. The project is being planned in collaboration with the Village Fire Department, with input from nearby fire protection agencies and industry safety experts, to ensure it meets or exceeds all relevant fire regulations. 

New Leaf Energy is a renewable energy development company for renewable energy infrastructure, leading the nation to a decarbonized future. New Leaf has operated in New York State for over a decade developing community battery energy storage, solar, and wind projects.

Please contact Corina Solis at csolis@newleafenergy.com.