The New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST) announced their inaugural Equitable Energy Storage Systems Award acknowledging exceptional efforts to gain community support for utility scale, energy storage systems by creating lasting relationships in communities where battery projects are located. More information here.
NY-BEST selected the collaboration between the Astoria-based Variety Boys & Girls Club, and the team developing the East River Energy Storage Project, a 100 megawatt-battery project developed by 174 Power Global (174PG) under contract with Con Edison (Con Ed) on property owned by the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
The award recognizes teams that prioritize the establishment of strong, trust-based, long-term partnerships with their local community, with 174PG, Con Ed, NYPA, Strategic Management, and Constantinople & Vallone funding and staffing annual programs with Variety Boys & Girls Club to support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) education, career mentoring and environmental engagement through hands on activities occurring throughout the calendar year.
NY-BEST selected the collaboration between the Astoria-based Variety Boys & Girls Club, and the team developing the East River Energy Storage Project, a 100 megawatt-battery project developed by 174 Power Global (174PG) under contract with Con Edison (Con Ed) on property owned by the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
The award recognizes teams that prioritize the establishment of strong, trust-based, long-term partnerships with their local community, with 174PG, Con Ed, NYPA, Strategic Management, and Constantinople & Vallone funding and staffing annual programs with Variety Boys & Girls Club to support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) education, career mentoring and environmental engagement through hands on activities occurring throughout the calendar year.
"NY-BEST remains steadfast in its mission to advance battery and energy storage technology through collaboration and innovation. Variety Boys & Girls Club and their partnership with the East River Energy Storage team exemplify the values and leadership essential for fostering enduring relationships that propel equitable energy storage initiatives forward," said Dr. William Acker, Executive Director of NY-BEST. He continued, "Their unwavering commitment to community engagement and partnership has set a commendable benchmark for others in the industry."
"We are proud to share in this honor that is a testimony to these firms' commitment from the start to partner with our local organization, to create lasting benefits for our students and to cement strong relationships in the community," said Costa Constantinides, CEO of Variety Boys & Girls Club. "Seeing construction start on the largest energy storage project in New York State is very rewarding and we look forward to a long-term alliance," he said.
"174 Power Global is honored to be recognized by NY-BEST for the Robust Community Partnerships Award," said Joo Yoon, CEO of 174 Power Global. "As we begin construction of the East River Energy Storage project to improve the resiliency of our grid, let us also continue to invest in the resiliency of our youth. Our partnership with the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens has been extremely rewarding. The entire 174 Power Global East River project team, including Constantinople and Vallone and Strategic Management Group, is proud to be part of this collaborative effort."
"Con Edison is proud to be honored for strengthening our communities as we build a more reliable and sustainable energy grid," said Matthew Ketschke, president of Con Edison. "We are grateful for our collaboration with the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, and we thank the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium for this recognition."
"The New York Power Authority thanks NY-BEST for recognizing the East River Energy Storage System as a Robust Community Partnership that will support renewable energy growth, reduce greenhouse gases and improve grid reliability," said Justin Driscoll, New York Power Authority President and CEO. "Creative community connections, like those formed with Variety Boys & Girls Club, Con Edison, 174PG, Strategic Management and Constantinople & Vallone, foster the tangible, local engagement that drive's our state's clean energy transition."
The Award Ceremony was held during NY-BEST's annual Capture the Energy Conference, a premier event for professionals in the energy storage sector.
About the Organizations
Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens
The Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens serves over 4,000 young people each year, and the facility is open to the community 7 days a week. The space includes an indoor swimming pool, makerspace lab, computer room, teaching kitchen, gym, auditorium, art studio, dance studio, film studio, and outdoor playground. Programming serves all children (ages 6-18) including homework help, swimming and sports, coding, engineering, gourmet cooking, drama, dance, media production and so much more.
The New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY-BEST) Consortium was created in 2010 to position New York State as a global leader in energy storage technology, including applications in transportation, grid storage, and power electronics. The membership is diverse and includes manufacturers, academic institutions, utilities, technology and materials developers, start-ups, government entities, engineering firms, systems integrators, and end-users. NY-BEST serves as an expert resource to energy storage-related companies and organizations seeking assistance to grow their businesses and includes access to financing, research capabilities, potential partners, technology developers, manufacturers, and other private sector and government resources.
174 Power Global is a leading solar and energy storage project developer focused on utility scale clean energy projects that support decarbonization goals while meeting customer and grid needs.
The New York Power Authority is the largest state public power organization in the United States operating 17 generating facility and 1,550 circuit miles of transmission lines. NYPA plays a critical role in advancing New York's clean energy transition through investments in energy infrastructure, energy innovation and statewide decarbonization initiatives.
Con Edison is one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, providing electric, gas and steam services to over 10 million people in New York City and Westchester County. The Company is committed to building a resilient, sustainable energy future through grid modernization and clean energy investments.
Strategic Management Group
SMG is an environmental consulting developer with a reputation managing complex environmental projects from greenfield to operations with proven expertise driving billions of dollars of value creation in sectors including renewable energy, energy storage, waste to energy, biogas and wastewater.
Constantinople & Vallone is a strategic consulting firm specializing in government relations, public affairs, and community engagement. With deep experience navigating New York's regulatory and political landscape, the firm helps clients advance impactful projects and build strong, lasting relationships with stakeholders and communities.
Contacts:
William Acker, Executive Director, NY-BEST: acker@ny-best.org
Costa Constantinides, Variety Boys & Girls Club: 917.716.4540
Brad King, 174 Power Global: 331.801.0185
Kelly Sarber, Strategic Management Group: 760.613.5994
Con Ed Media Relations: 212.460.4111
Lynne Smith, NYPA: 914.346.4656
