New York is making $27 million available for alternative-fuel projects while awarding nearly $10 million to five efforts involving aviation fuel, hydrogen transportation and emergency-response training.
The new competitive funding will support technologies for sectors that are difficult to electrify, including aviation, heavy-duty freight, maritime transportation and rail, as well as backup power for the electric grid, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement Thursday.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, or NYSERDA, is administering the money through its Advanced Fuels & Thermal Energy Research program. Funding comes from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the Clean Energy Fund.
What the $27 million can support
Developers, technology firms, manufacturers and research organizations may apply through the Drop-in Alternative Fuels Innovation Projects solicitation. Eligible finished fuels include sustainable aviation fuel, renewable natural gas, renewable diesel, low-carbon methanol and renewable propane.
Ammonia, raw biogas, biodiesel and hydrogen are not eligible finished fuel products under this particular solicitation. The separate awards announced Thursday include hydrogen projects.
Applicants can seek funding in three categories, each involving a New York site. The pilot category supports field validation of an integrated alternative-fuel system as it moves from laboratory work to engineering scale.
The demonstration category supports systems operating at a scale representative of a commercial facility. The first-of-a-kind commercial development category funds development work needed to move an initial commercial project toward construction and operation.
Proposals must demonstrate expertise in conversion technology, engineering and feedstock supply. They also must identify a host site and a prospective buyer or end-use partner for the fuel.
Eligible expenses can cover production from the initial feedstock through the finished fuel’s transfer point. Funding also can pay for third-party analysis or certification testing to establish whether a fuel meets specifications or regulatory limits.
Projects must provide at least a 50% cost share from sources other than NYSERDA.
The agency strongly encourages applicants to submit a letter of intent as early as possible. NYSERDA will respond within three weeks of receiving a letter to indicate whether the project is eligible.
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until 3 p.m. Eastern on Dec. 31, 2029, or until all money is committed.
Five projects receive separate awards
The nearly $10 million already awarded will go to New York companies and projects being developed or demonstrated in the state.
Noblehurst Green Energy received more than $4 million to build and operate a pilot plant at Noblehurst Farms in Pavilion. The plant will turn waste biogas into sustainable aviation fuel using NGV Earth’s patented conversion process.
SWITCH Maritime LLC received more than $2.5 million to design, assemble and demonstrate a tug-propelled barge platform. It would carry hydrogen from suppliers outside New York City to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Hydroplane Ltd. received nearly $2 million to design and build a prototype hydrogen fuel cell-electric cargo watercraft for bulk hydrogen transport on New York’s inland waterways. The state described the planned vessel as emission-free.
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ Center for Hydrogen Safety received $850,000 to develop hydrogen safety training modules for first responders and permitting officials in New York and elsewhere.
The Fire Department of the City of New York received $200,000 for hydrogen-emergency response capability, including monitoring equipment and curriculum for its existing training programs.
Research program targets difficult energy uses
The broader advanced-fuels program supports technologies intended to reduce emissions in hard-to-electrify sectors, improve grid resilience and reduce pollution, including in underserved communities.
NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris said moving promising fuels from concept into real-world use is necessary to evaluate their potential and speed deployment.
The work is part of NYSERDA’s Innovation & Research program, which invests more than $96 million annually. The agency says that program attracts $15 in additional investment for each dollar spent and has worked with more than 900 companies that helped bring more than 300 products to market.
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