Sundial Energy Advances 5 MW Battery Storage Project in Riverhead, Bolstering Long Island's Grid Resilience
Key Insights
Sundial Energy LLC proposes a 5 MW/20 MWh battery energy storage system in Riverhead, New York, to enhance local grid stability and support state renewable energy goals.
The project is financially independent, relying on an interconnection agreement with PSEG rather than New York State retail storage incentives, signaling a viable market-driven approach.
The facility complies with Riverhead Town Code and New York State draft safety standards, including robust emergency response plans developed with local fire departments.
This development underscores the critical role of BESS in integrating renewable energy and modernizing the grid, contributing to Long Island's energy resilience.
Sundial Energy LLC, a Minnesota-based energy firm, is seeking approval from the Riverhead Town Board for a new 5 MW/20 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) facility within the Calverton Enterprise Park. The proposed project, located at 221 Scott Avenue on a 7.45-acre parcel, marks a crucial development for local grid stability and New York State’s broader renewable energy objectives.
The application for this BESS facility is the second of its kind before the Riverhead board, though it is considerably smaller than the 60 MW/120 MWh project proposed by Rhynland Energy nearby. Sundial Energy’s initiative is particularly notable for its financial structure; CEO Austin Schweek affirmed the project’s “very financeable” nature, emphasizing its independence from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) retail storage program incentive. Schweek stated the company’s intent to participate solely in the PSEG feeder program, having already secured an interconnection agreement, underscoring a robust, market-driven approach.
Riverhead Town Senior Planner Gary Charters confirmed that the project largely complies with local Town Code requirements for BESS facilities, which were adopted in April 2023. These regulations mandate a comprehensive decommissioning plan and bond to ensure full property restoration post-operation. The Suffolk County Planning Commission has already approved the application at its June 4 meeting, moving the project closer to a public hearing for special permit and site plan review by the Town Board.
Safety protocols are a paramount concern for such installations. Nick Patrakis, a safety consultant from Energy Safety Response Group, addressed inquiries from Council Member Ken Rothwell regarding emergency preparedness. Patrakis outlined that the emergency response plan, developed in coordination with the Manorville Fire Department, would focus on defensive measures, relying on the BESS’s integrated safety features. Regular training and an initial familiarization drill for local fire personnel are planned to ensure readiness.
Battery energy storage systems are vital for modernizing the grid, enabling the storage of electricity during off-peak hours for release during periods of high demand. This capability is instrumental in integrating intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind into the grid, thereby enhancing reliability and efficiency. New York State has actively promoted BESS development, with recent draft safety codes requiring enhanced emergency response coordination, which Sundial Energy’s project reportedly meets. The Town Board is set to assume lead agency status under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and schedule the public hearing, advancing a project critical to the region’s energy future.