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MTA & NYPA Offically Launch NYS’ First BESS System

Posted by
on January 9th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

Yesterday I posted an entry for those in the Garden City area who wanted to be witness to the unveiling of a new project between the MTA & NYPA. The special ceremony has concluded & the MTA issued a press release via e-mail just a short while ago with the details:

GARDEN CITY, N.Y.—Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Elliot G. Sander, President of MTA Long Island Bus Joseph J. Smith, and New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Kessel today announced the successful installation of the first advanced sodium sulfur battery energy storage system (BESS) in New York State. The BESS is used at an MTA LI Bus depot here for storing electricity to reduce refueling costs for over 220 natural gas-powered buses by about $246,500 a year.

As the primary benefits of the BESS are reducing costs for energy and operating, this project is expected to save about $26,500 a year in utility bills and an additional $220,000 annual savings in labor costs. Additional benefits of the BESS are that it is virtually noiseless, produces no emissions and requires minimal maintenance.

“The MTA is leaving no stone unturned in its search for ways to reduce controllable costs,” said Elliot G. Sander, executive director and chief executive officer, Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “Through this advanced battery technology, we have reduced our energy expenses by shifting our electricity purchases to low-demand periods when it is inexpensive. We appreciate the expertise and financing assistance from NYPA that made this trial possible.”

“This is the first use of this type of advanced battery energy storage technology on the customer-side of the electric meter in New York and anywhere in the United States. It has wide-ranging possibilities including expanding renewable energy resources, which is a key element of Governor Paterson’s plans to encourage greater energy independence in New York,” said Richard M. Kessel, president and chief executive officer, New York Power Authority. “Storing energy based on this process has the potential to capture intermittent sources such as wind or tidal power and then provide this clean energy when it is needed most.”

“LI Bus is pleased to be an active participant with NYPA in developing this innovative technology,” said Joseph J. Smith, senior vice president – NYCT Department of Buses, president – MTA Bus, president – LI Bus. “This advanced battery storage system allows LI Bus to improve its energy efficiency, reduce costs and provide emergency backup power while utilizing an environmentally responsible technology. We look forward to additional opportunities to leverage other technologies to reduce our expenses in an environmentally-friendly way.”

“NYSERDA’s interest in sodium sulfur battery electric storage development and testing dates back to 2001. This $1 million investment, along with our $3.6 million for Long Island Bus natural gas-powered bus purchases, brings our total interest to about $5 million. This project, a direct synthesis of those early efforts, refuels mass-transit vehicles in an innovative, cost-cutting way and cuts air pollution,” noted Robert G. Callender, vice president for Programs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). “These are key tenets in Gov. Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force reforms for the future of the Empire State.”

“Advanced energy storage will be a vital component of our renewable and traditional energy strategies to meet our future goals of a diversified portfolio and is consistent with Governor Paterson’s 45 X 15 initiative announced just this week in his State of the State message,” said Kevin S. Law, president and chief executive officer of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). “LIPA remains committed to working with NYPA to advance battery storage technology and other energy projects to help meet future demand in our region.”

“The NYPA NAS battery demonstration project is the first U.S. use of this technology in a utility-customer application,” said Arshad Mansoor, vice president of EPRI’s Power Delivery and Utilization sector. “The project is expected to provide the customer with improved reliability and energy efficiency. EPRI provided assistance to NYPA in two major areas of this project. We obtained collaborative participation with a diverse group of utility companies representing all regions of the country with different business objectives for energy storage, and we provided technical assistance at several important project junctures, including support for factory testing and development of a long-term maintenance strategy.”

“Offering technological solutions that reduce environmental impact while lowering energy costs is one of our key focuses,” said Mike Wallin, North American vice president and general manager, Power Electronics, ABB, Inc. “ABB is proud to have been selected to contribute to the success of this important project.”

“Con Edison recognizes the long- term importance of energy storage to improve asset utilization and make effective use of future renewable capacity that may not be available coincident with peak demand. Energy storage technologies, such as the NAS battery demonstrated by this project, are essential to fully integrate and maximize t he reliability of the future grid,” said Pat Duggan, R&D Project Manager, Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, Inc. “In the tradition of Thomas Edison, we appreciate the opportunity to learn more about these devices, their interconnection requirements, and how they might benefit the Con Edison system and the electric power industry throughout the country.”

“CPS Energy (San Antonio, Texas) is excited by the success of NYPA’s and MTA LI Bus’ energy storage project,” stated Al Lujan, executive vice president for Energy Delivery, CPS Energy. “As one of the participants in the funding collaborative with other EPRI members, we have observed with great interest as the BESS project advanced. CPS Energy’s Research and Technology Initiatives department is currently developing our company’s energy storage pilot project, the first of its kind in the State of Texas, and is incorporating into the project plan the information and experiences that NYPA has shared with its research partners. It is clear to us that energy storage is the key to full and reliable integration of renewable resources into the power grid and that public/private partnerships are the most efficient and effective methods for developing and implementing new energy-focused technologies. CPS Energy is pleased to have been a partner in this game-changing endeavor.”

NYSERDA and several partners helped fund the installation and demonstration of the BESS which powers the electric motors for three compressors used to refuel natural gas busses, owned and operated by MTA LI Bus, during the day. The BESS then automatically recharges itself, using power from the electric grid at night when rates are lower, creating energy savings. Previously, to take advantage of night rates, MTA LI Bus limited compressor operations for
fueling to nighttime requiring a third shift with full maintenance staffing. With the BESS, MTA LI Bus is able to move fueling to the day and reduce the third shift to save operating costs.

The BESS consists of a sodium sulfur (NaS) battery system; power controls and other related systems. When fully charged the BESS is capable of providing one megawatt (mw) of power to the compressors for up to seven hours a day. It can operate seven days a week.

In order to demonstrate the commercial viability for the BESS, NYPA originated the concept for this project to help save energy costs for its customer the MTA, the parent company of MTA LI Bus. NYPA proposed the BESS to MTA LI Bus and provided overall project management including assistance with financing.

For the total project cost of $4.3 million, NYPA helped to attract $2.4 million in funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the United States Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories, the Electric Power Research Institute, the Long Island Power Authority, the American Public Power Association, the Canadian Energy Association, Natural Resources Canada and several other partners. Included in this funding was $300,000 provided from Petroleum Overcharge Restitution funds administered by NYPA.

The NaS battery system was supplied by NGK Insulators, Ltd of Japan. The Power Electronics division, located in Wis., of ABB, Inc., an international technology company headquartered in Switzerland, supplied the power controls for charging and discharging the batteries, and did the installation.

A data acquisition system for long-term performance monitoring was provided by Sandia National Laboratories, of N.M., and EnerNex Corporation, based in Tenn.
In addition to BESS, the MTA and NYPA have been partners on almost 70 energy services projects at 75 MTA facilities resulting in energy savings totaling of over $5.5 million per year for commuters and taxpayers. These projects also annually save almost 8.5 megawatts of electricity (enough to power about 6,800 to 8,500 homes using average national home sizes) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 42 tons.
Since the early 1990’s NYPA has also worked with other entities including municipalities and school districts all over Nassau and Suffolk Counties to advance the use energy technologies and energy efficiency projects. There have been a total of almost 125 projects at over 380 facilities saving taxpayers annually over $14.5 million and reducing greenhouse gases by more than 71 tons per year.
Complete List of Project Funders and Partners:

American Public Power Association’s DEED program
CEATI International Inc.
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
CPS Energy
Electric Power Research Institute
FirstEnergy Corp.
Hydro One
Hydro-Quebec
Long Island Power Authority
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Bus
Natural Resources Canada
New York Power Authority
New York Independent System Operator
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Public Service Electric and Gas Company
San Diego Gas & Electric
Sandia National Laboratories
Southern Company
Tennessee Valley Authority
United States Department of Energy

I hope some of you were able to attend the ceremony. If so, let me know how it went.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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LIRR Ronkonkoma Service Changes

Posted by
on January 8th, 2009 at 4:36 pm

Earlier today a New York & Atlantic Railway freight train derailed near Deer Park. Due to this, the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Ronkonkoma branch will undergo service changes for the rest of the day & into tomorrow morning prior to the A.M. rush. The LIRR sent out a media alert via e-mail a short time ago & here are the details:

FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, LIRR RONKONKOMA BRANCH CUSTOMERS ARE ADVISED TO EXPECT:

• REGULARLY SCHEDULED EASTBOUND RONKONKOMA BRANCH EVENING RUSH HOUR SERVICE WITH SOME DELAYS;

• WESTBOUND REVERSE PEAK TRAINS REPLACED BY BUSES BETWEEN RONKONKOMA AND WYANDANCH;

• REGULARLY SCHEDULED WESTBOUND REVERSE PEAK TRAIN SERVICE FROM FARMINGDALE WEST;

• LATE NIGHT/OVERNIGHT RONKONKOMA BRANCH TRAINS REPLACED WITH BUSES

MTA Long Island Rail Road Ronkonkoma Branch customers are advised to anticipate service adjustments on Thursday evening, January 8, as a result of the New York & Atlantic Railway freight train derailment that occurred earlier today.

Thursday PM Rush Service:

All regularly scheduled eastbound evening rush hour Ronkonkoma Branch trains will operate on Thursday, January 8; however customers should anticipate delays of 5 to 10 minutes.
Note: Eastbound evening rush hour trains will platform on the south side platform at Deer Park and Brentwood, rather than the regular north side platform. Customers at these stations should exercise caution when using the pedestrian overpasses or railroad crossings when getting to the north side.

Thursday PM Reverse Peak Service:

Due to the derailment of a New York & Atlantic Railway freight train, buses will replace the following evening reverse peak westbound trains on Thursday, January 8:

• The 4:48 PM train from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station, will be canceled between Ronkonkoma and Wyandanch and will originate from Farmingdale at 5:14 PM.

• The 7:13 PM train from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station, will be canceled between Ronkonkoma and Wyandanch and will originate from Farmingdale at 7:40 PM.

• The 7:58 PM train from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station, will be canceled between Ronkonkoma and Wyandanch and will originate from Farmingdale at 8:28 PM.

Bus service will be provided in place of these three westbound trains at the following stations: Ronkonkoma, Central Islip, Brentwood, Deer Park and Wyandanch, transporting customers to Hicksville for transfer to train service. Customers receiving this bus service can expect additional travel time of up to 30 minutes.

Note: The LIRR will provide regular westbound reverse peak service from Farmingdale and points west.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Buses replace all Ronkonkoma Branch trains after 9 PM on Thursday, January 8:

After 9 PM on Thursday, January 8, buses will replace all Ronkonkoma Branch trains, in both directions, between Ronkonkoma and Farmingdale while the re-railing of the freight train is performed.

Note:

• The 8:15 PM train from Penn Station, scheduled to arrive at Ronkonkoma at 9:37 PM will be the last eastbound train to operate on Thursday evening.

• The 9:11 PM train from Ronkonkoma, schedule to arrive Penn Station at 10:35 PM will be the last westbound train to operate on Thursday evening.

Station waiting rooms at Ronkonkoma, Central Islip, Brentwood, Deer Park, Wyandanch and Farmingdale will remain open throughout the night.

Eastbound customers will exit trains at Farmingdale for bus service through Ronkonkoma. The following eastbound trains will not operate east of Farmingdale:

• The 9:16 PM from Penn Station will terminate at Farmingdale. At Farmingdale customers will receive bus service to Wyandanch, Deer Park, Brentwood, Central Islip and Ronkonkoma.

• The 10:16 PM from Penn Station will terminate at Farmingdale. At Farmingdale customers will receive bus service to Wyandanch, Deer Park, Brentwood, Central Islip and Ronkonkoma.

• The 10:43 PM from Penn Station will terminate at Farmingdale. At Farmingdale customers will receive bus service to Wyandanch, Deer Park, Brentwood, Central Islip and Ronkonkoma.

• The 11:14 PM from Penn Station will terminate at Farmingdale. At Farmingdale customers will receive bus service to Wyandanch, Deer Park, Brentwood, Central Islip and Ronkonkoma.

• The 12:14 AM from Penn Station will terminate at Farmingdale. At Farmingdale customers will receive bus service to Wyandanch, Deer Park, Brentwood, Central Islip and Ronkonkoma.

• The 1:11 AM from Penn Station will terminate at Farmingdale. At Farmingdale customers will receive bus service to Wyandanch, Deer Park, Brentwood, Central Islip and Ronkonkoma.

Westbound customers will board buses at stations Ronkonkoma through Wyandanch for Farmingdale. At Farmingdale, customers can transfer for train service to points west. The following westbound trains will not operate east of Farmingdale:

• The 10:11 PM from Ronkonkoma will originate at Farmingdale at 10:39 PM. Customers at Ronkonkoma, Central Islip, Brentwood, Deer Park and Wyandanch will receive bus service to Farmingdale and transfer to a train.

• The 11:13 PM from Ronkonkoma will originate at Farmingdale at 10:40 PM. Customers at Ronkonkoma, Central Islip, Brentwood, Deer Park and Wyandanch will receive bus service to Farmingdale and transfer to a train.

• The 12:44 AM from Ronkonkoma will originate at Farmingdale at 1:10 AM. Customers at Ronkonkoma, Central Islip, Brentwood, Deer Park and Wyandanch will receive bus service to Farmingdale and transfer to a train.

• The 1:46 AM from Ronkonkoma will originate at Farmingdale at 2:12 AM. Customers at Ronkonkoma, Central Islip, Brentwood, Deer Park and Wyandanch will receive bus service to Farmingdale and transfer to a train.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Friday AM Rush Service, January 9:

The LIRR expects to return to near-normal morning rush service on Friday morning. Westbound AM rush train service will resume with the 4:06 AM train from Ronkonkoma, scheduled to arrive Penn Station 5:29 AM.

Friday AM Reverse Peak Service :

The LIRR anticipates that there may be some effect on Friday morning’s eastbound AM reverse peak service on the Ronkonkoma Branch by the New York & Atlantic derailment. The LIRR will advise customers of that service plan through service advisories on our website, customer e-mail notifications and service advisories to the media.

Service Updates:

The LIRR will continue to update this Service Advisory as the re-railing process progresses. Customers should monitor news media reports and the LIRR’s website (at www.mta.info/lirr) for updates.

The LIRR would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during this period.

I advise people to use the Babylon line as much as possible while these changes are in effect.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Mr. Jags Free Pass Is Over & Rightfully So!

Posted by
on January 8th, 2009 at 4:17 pm

Last June, the biggest story on this blog was the free perks scandal that rocked the MTA Board. The scandal started with MTA Board Vice Chairman David S. Mack who said he only rode the Long Island Rail Road because it was free. Let me quickly refresh you on some of his statements from last June:

1. Why should I ride and inconvenience myself when I can ride in a car?

2. If you saw something and called it in, it goes right there (he refers to a trash can). When the normal public calls it in, you know what happens with the bureaucracy — they don’t get the response that a board member would get.

These comments helped start the revelation of just how much perks current & former MTA Board members had the chance to abuse. When this information became public knowledge, the outrage was shared by many from the public to New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo who threatened to sue MTA Board Members.

Eventually the MTA Board approved a measure to revoke the travel perks. They also called for the items to be turned in which some took forever to do. However it turns out a former MTA Board Member has continued to live off a perk, this time it being a police-issued parking permit. Former MTA Board Member Alan Friedberg continued to use his pass to illegally park his $76K Jaguar. New York Daily News transit reporter Pete Donohue along with Andew Theodorakis first exposed this in a report filed yesterday:

Alan Friedberg left the MTA board six years ago, but he’s still tooling around town in his snazzy red Jaguar with a police-issued parking permit.

Friedberg defied an order from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to return an MTA police-issued permit that lets him park just about anywhere.

On Sunday, Friedberg took full advantage of the perk – stowing the $76,000 luxury vehicle in a restricted zone on 43rd St. near Broadway theaters. His traveling party Sunday included his wife, wrapped in a full-length fur coat, and another couple.

“This vehicle is on official police business,” states the MTA Police Department placard displayed prominently inside the 2008 Jag.

Last year, the MTA directed 13 former board members, including Friedberg, 75, to return the coveted parking permits after Daily News reports on the perk. Two other past transit honchos have also not turned in their placards, MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said, declining to give their names.

Click here for the complete report.

Now a day later, Mr. Friedberg has officially turned his parking permit according to MTA Spokesman Kevin Ortiz. Once again New York Daily News transit reporter Pete Donohue has the scoop in this report:

Another perk bites the dust.

Former MTA board member Alan Friedberg surrendered his police-issued parking permit on Wednesday, the same day the Daily News reported that the Jaguar-driving developer was improperly using the priceless perk.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority last year told Friedberg and other former board members to return the coveted permits.

The placards bear the seal of the MTA Police Department and allow parking just about anywhere.

The News photographed Friedberg’s 2008 snazzy red car parked in a restricted midtown zone Sunday with the permit displayed on the windshield.

He returned the permit early yesterday afternoon, MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said.

Click here for the complete report.

I applaud Pete for once again exposing the wreckless abuse of power by some currently & formerly with the MTA. It is a shame that it takes public embarrassment for people such as David Mack or Mr. Jag himself Alan Friedberg to do what is right.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Elliot Passes On A Raise

Posted by
on January 8th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

Almost 7 months ago the New York Daily News revealed that MTA CEO/Executive Director Elliot Sander was approved for a $10,000 raise. Many transit advocates & bloggers (myself included) expressed outrage since the timing for one was completely ridiculous. Now fast forward to the present day & with the MTA’s finances in an even bigger hole as compared to then, Elliot has decided to take a pass on the raise. New York Daily News transit reporter Pete Donohue has more in this report:

MTA chief Elliot Sander – who raised eyebrows and tempers after snagging a raise last year – will take a pass on extra cash this year, the Daily News has learned.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s agency heads also agreed to forgo their contractually set raises this year, but might take them next year, officials said.

“I think it’s a symbolic move but an appropriate move given where the MTA is,” Sander said.

“We need to make the point to the Legislature that we’re prepared to sacrifice, and that’s what we’re doing here.”

The MTA wants Albany to approve a transit bailout with new – and more stable – revenue sources to help close massive operating and capital budget gaps, avert major service cuts and mitigate fare hikes next summer.

Click here for the complete report.

I am glad Elliot & the rest of the MTA learned from last year’s public relations blunder. However in the bigger scope of things, it clearly was the correct & only move that Elliot could make. While transit advocates & bloggers understand the need for our government to adequately fund our transit infrastructure, it would not have looked good if he took a raise. It is hard to cry poverty when giving someone who already earns 6 figures a raise.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA & NYPA To Start New Advanced Battery System Project

Posted by
on January 8th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

Tomorrow the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) & New York Power Authority (NYPA) will announce the successful start of a new advanced battery system project. For those in the Garden City area who might be interested in attending, here are the details:

In 2006, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, MTA Long Island Bus, and the New York Power Authority embarked on the first real-world trial conducted outside of utility companies of an advanced system of sodium-sulfur batteries used for industrial purposes.

Tomorrow, agency officials will reconvene to announce the successful implementation of that project, initiated through NYPA’s work with new energy technologies, and describes how it helps the MTA reduce costs while powering MTA Long Island Bus’ fleet of clean, compressed natural gas buses.

WHO: Elliot G. Sander, Executive Director and CEO of the MTA; Richard M. Kessel, President and CEO of the New York Power Authority, Joseph J. Smith, Sr. Vice President – NYCT Department of Buses, President – MTA Bus, President – LI Bus.

WHAT: Officials celebrate successful implementation of sodium-sulfur battery energy storage system project for reducing energy costs

WHEN: Tomorrow, Friday, January 9, 2009 – 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: MTA Long Island Bus Mitchel Field Depot, 700 Commercial Avenue, Garden City, N.Y. (LIRR to Mineola Station, transfer to the N24 bus to Mitchel Field Depot)

xoxo Transit Blogger

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