The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and New York State Electric & Gas have completed a $120 million transmission project that will enable more electricity from renewable sources including hydropower to flow from upstate to meet energy demand in more-populated downstate regions without having to build new power lines.
The project, known as the Marcy South Series Compensation Project, is a cornerstone of the State Governor's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to build an energy system that is more efficient, resilient and affordable for all New Yorkers. A key goal of REV and New York State is ensuring 50% of all electricity used in the state come from renewable sources by 2030.
"The power grid is in the midst of a digital revolution that is dramatically transforming how we provide electricity statewide," said Richard Kauffman, Chair of Energy and Finance, Office of the Governor "Marcy South is a prime example of how we can do more with existing assets. Not only is it more efficient, this approach will ultimately save electric ratepayers money."
The Marcy South project, a joint venture of NYPA and NYSEG, is expected to provide up to 440MW of additional transmission capacity. It will help relieve transmission congestion, or bottlenecks, that affect the ability to deliver surplus upstate electricity - from predominantly wind and hydropower source -to the downstate region, which accounts for the majority of the state's energy use.
A video of how the project works can be viewed here.
The project involves the installation of three capacitor banks - small facilities each about 30ft wide, 60ft long and two stories high, which contain equipment that offers greater control of power movement. Series capacitors raise voltage and keep it at a constant level, which enhances transmission efficiency. Two capacitor banks were installed by NYPA, the other by NYSEG.
They are the first series capacitor banks to be installed in New York State.
