Innovation Project Portfolios
On October 3, 2024, Governor Hochul announced more than $24 million in awards for 26 innovation projects across New York State and various clean energy sectors. The awarded projects join a growing list of more than 200 innovation projects that are advancing new technologies in long duration energy storage, clean hydrogen, grid modernization, geothermal, and building electrification and efficiency.
The $24 million in awards was allocated between the following five focus areas:
- Renewable optimization and energy storage: $2.4 million
- Hydrogen and clean fuels: $8.1 million
- Grid modernization: $7.3 million
- Advanced buildings: $1.8 million
- Commercialization: $4.5 million
Learn more about these leading climate tech innovators and their projects below.
Green Hydrogen from Low Temperature Microchannel Ammonia Reformer for High-grade Industrial Heat
Hydrogen and Clean Fuels
Bettergy seeks to help decarbonize hard-to-electrify industrial processes. These processes require affordable clean fuels that can provide the necessary heat and/or serve as a process input, while remaining carbon-neutral and minimally impacting the manufacturing processes.
Funding Amount: $399,991
A Zinc H2 Battery Integrated with Solar Power
Hydrogen and Clean Fuels
BST Systems, Inc. has partnered will GTI Energy to conduct a feasibility and research study on the integration of solar power with a novel Zinc Hydrogen Battery (ZHB) for local hydrogen distribution applications. The project aims to demonstrate stability of hydrogen output.
Funding Amount: $398,523
Coordinated Grid Controllers and DERs to Enhance Distribution Grid Operation
Grid Modernization
In this project, Clarkson University aims to study the new model for the coordination of distributed energy resources (DERs) and existing grid controllers (e.g., voltage regulators, switched capacitors) to address the grid constraints (e.g., voltage and thermal constraints) and curtailment caused by interconnecting large-scale DERs.
Funding Amount: $399,910
Developing DLR Implementation Best Practices at Con Edison
Grid Modernization
In this project, the Electric Power Research Institute Inc. and its partner Con Edison will demonstrate three ambient air and dynamic line rating systems and validate three different types of advanced transmission line monitoring systems on Con Edison’s transmission lines to increase resiliency, reliability, reduce grid congestion, and provide real-time data that could aid in more renewable energy resources into the New York State electrical grid.
Funding Amount: $1,589,108
Bus Depot of the Future - Bus Depot of the Future: Providing Resiliency and Efficient Charging
Grid Modernization
In this project, Electric Power Research Institute Inc. plans to study the establishment of a microgrid, hybrid power plant at the bus depot. It involves the evaluation of ground-mounted PV along with expansion of the charging EV capability. Additionally, the study considers the construction of all-electric bus depots, in New Paltz and Kingston.
Funding Amount: $400,000
Deep Packet Inspection DPI Algorithms for DER Operational Situational Awareness
Grid Modernization
In this project, Electric Power Research Institute Inc. plans to develop deep packet inspection (DPI) algorithms for distributed energy resources (DER) operational situational awareness at the grid edge. The project also orchestrates preventive actions to protect the reliability of the utility grid from improper DER operations.
Funding Amount: $400,000
Multi-Family Split-Hybrid Cost Compression
Advanced Buildings
In this project, Energy Catalyst Technologies is developing and demonstrating a mini-split version of their existing Double Hybrid heat pump. The proposed geothermal system would allow a building to make use of its existing hydronic distribution system, rather than leaving it as a stranded asset, and avoid costly and invasive interior construction. Energy Catalyst Technologies is working in conjunction with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to develop and refine their system. Once the system is ready, units will be installed and evaluated in New York State.
Funding Amount: $972,669
Electrolyte Additives Development for Zinc Air Batteries
Renewable Optimization and Energy Storage
e-Zinc plans to develop, test and study electrolyte additives and their effects on the e-Zinc battery to help lead to the commercialization of the product. Comprehensive studies and analysis will assess their impact on efficiency, zinc morphology, reduction of self-discharge, as well as their durability and stability concerning shelf life and cycling. Standardized testing equipment and fundamental electrochemical procedures will be provided or jointly developed with Binghamton University and e-Zinc.
Funding Amount: $352,500
Clean Hydrogen Production in Harmony with Intermittent Renewable Energy
Hydrogen and Clean Fuels
Hydropore Technologies LLC and the University of Pennsylvania, will demonstrate the viability and scalability of the Hydropore's reusable metal fuels (zinc and iron) for clean hydrogen production by a two-step electrolysis process, during which hydrogen and oxygen evolution are decoupled.
Funding Amount: $400,000
Toolbox for Automated STudies in EMT Domain (TASTE)
Grid Modernization
Intelligent NRG Solutions LLC plan to develop and study a software platform (TASTE) service that automates clusters of electromagnetic transient (EMT) interconnection system studies. This tool comprises two primary functions 1) system model conversion automation and integration, and 2) automated studies and data post-processing.
Funding Amount: $399,974
Physics-Assisted Learning for Monitoring of Y49 Transmission (PALM49)
Grid Modernization
Intelligent NRG Solutions LLC, New York Power Authority (NYPA), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Clarkson University, plan to develop and deploy a hardware tool that originates from a physical model capable of performing analytics of deemed vital, operating parameters measured on the transmission cable. Once validated and tested off-line, the hardware tool (PALM49) shall be deployed to a NYPA sub-station housing one end of the new cables terminations, and be connected for viewing, analysis and education with another asset; NYPA’s Integrated Smart Operations Center (iSOC) facility.
Funding Amount: $598,824
Developing a NY Supply Chain and Workforce for 3D Printed Concrete Subsea LDES
Renewable Optimization and Energy Storage
JC Solutions LLC dba RCAM Technologies, aims to establish the first-ever marine pumped hydroelectric (MPH) pilot manufacturing facility in New York State, to assess, engage, and develop the New York workforce and supply chain for manufacturing MPH technology to prepare for East Coast pilot and commercial installations, and to advance the MPH manufacturing technology through large scale manufacturing trials, demonstrations, and planning of a pilot project.
Funding Amount: $1,000,000
EMF-Guided Fixed-Wing UAS for Long Range Transmission Inspection
Grid Modernization
Manifold Robotics aims to develop and demonstrate a novel technology for efficient and scalable transmission infrastructure inspections. It leverages fixed-wing unmanned aerial systems (UASs) guided by electromagnetic fields (EMF) to enhance the safety and cost-effectiveness of inspecting transmission lines.
Funding Amount: $457,500
Flexible Interconnection in NY: Use Cases, Cost-Benefit, and Implementation
Grid Modernization
In this study, the New York Solar Energy Industries Association will work with their partners, the Electrical Power Research Institute, and the New York Battery Energy Storage Technology Consortium to develop a comprehensive and systematic analysis to identify the use of software to monitor and control distributed energy resources in real-time.
Funding Amount: $399,928
Next Generation Membrane Separator for Advanced Liquid Alkaline Electrolyzer
Hydrogen and Clean Fuels
In this project, Orion Polymer Corp plans to develop highly conductive, chemically stable, anion exchange polymer ionomers for low-cost anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis.
Funding Amount: $400,000
Scaleup for Renewable Load Following Electrolysis
Hydrogen and Clean Fuels
Power to Hydrogen LLC plans to work with experienced New York partners to scale up its renewable load following electrolysis technology from 10kW to multi-MW systems. The end result will be an industrial scale hybrid liquid alkaline / membrane-based electrolyzer ready for mass-scale production.
Funding Amount: $974,606
Reliable Protection for Inverter Dominated Systems (RAPIDS)
Grid Modernization
Quanta Technology LLC will collaborate with National Grid and protective relay original equipment manufactures (OEMs) to assess emerging relay mitigation solutions and develop enhanced inverter-based resources (IBR) interconnection requirements for the future zero-emission NY State electric power system.
Funding Amount: $400,000
Development of High IBR Penetration New York Power System Models for Operators
Grid Modernization
The Research Foundation at SUNY Binghamton University aims to develop a library of inverter-based resources (IBR) plants and transmission grid models for system planning.
Funding Amount: $400,000
Long Duration Hydrogen Energy Storage in a Mixed Use Development
Renewable Optimization and Energy Storage
Standard Hydrogen Corporation plans to establish one of the first zero emission, economical hydrogen based long-duration electrical energy storage (EES) systems in a mixed-use redevelopment campus that has diverse EES needs. The project will utilize The Standard Hydrogen Corporation’s Energy Transfer System (ETS) to generate, store, and use hydrogen.
Funding Amount: $2,000,000
Cathode Manufacturing for Sodium-ion Batteries
Renewable Optimization and Energy Storage
Standard Potential Co. plans to develop precursor and cathode active material products for sodium-ion batteries, which have a distinct material abundance and availability advantage in the U.S. compared to lithium-ion.
Funding Amount: $100,000
Perovskite Solar Cell Powered Hydrogen Production Using Low-Cost Catalysts
Hydrogen and Clean Fuels
SUNY Research Foundation aims to develop a small-scale hydrogen production system powered by solar energy, with the potential to achieve a cost of $2 per kilogram of hydrogen in the next decade through Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. This process will be driven by a perovskite photovoltaic and earth-abundant electrocatalysts.
Funding Amount: $332,598
Expediting Adoption of EVs and Solar through Grid Flexibility with the Phase-EQ
Grid Modernization
Switched Source LLC aims to develop and demonstrate enhanced controls in conjunction with redesigning the power electronics and thermal management system of the Phase-EQ, to enable scale adoption of the technology.
Funding Amount: $1,806,000
CTV ClimateTech Expertise Net
Technology to Market
Columbia Technology Ventures plan to create a new program called the ClimateTech Expertise Network (CEN), which will support early- and growth-stage climate tech startup companies, researchers, and entrepreneurs that are developing and commercializing products or services that can benefit New York State (NYS) and help NYS reach its climate goals, primarily through the deployment of highly experienced mentors.
Funding Amount: $4,500,000
Electrolytic Hydrogen and Sulfuric Acid Production for Sustainable Metal Refining and Recycling in New York State
Hydrogen and Clean Fuels
Travertine Technologies Inc. aims to deploy a demonstration scale plant (Demo Plant) and an electrolyzer system in Rochester, NY. Operation of the Demo Plant will enable Travetine Technologies to progress the Travertine ProcessTM technology from the laboratory pilot stage to commercial operation.
Funding Amount: $3,170,033
Demonstration of Rechargeable Zinc Alkaline Batteries
Renewable Optimization and Energy Storage
Urban Electric Power, Inc. will deploy a battery energy storage system (BESS) using its patented rechargeable zinc alkaline battery technology. The BESS will be designed for long duration energy storage applications at commercial and industrial facilities. Specifically, the BESS will provide power resilience to end users, reducing the need for fossil fuel-based generators, allow for energy reduction through peak demand shaving, and support the electric grid by participating in demand response events.
Funding Amount: $993,944
Enabling Affordable Whole Home Electrification With Intelligent Load Flexibility
Advanced Buildings
NeoCharge, aims to tackle electric panel upgrade barriers for homeowners and renters with a low-cost, scalable solution. Utilizing their Smart Splitter hardware, CT clamps, and NeoCharge Connect software, they will make it possible for homes with existing 240V outlets to safely connect high-load devices like EV chargers, heat pumps, and electric water heaters without the need for costly rewiring or panel upgrades.
Funding Amount: $706,612