Blackouts Are Becoming More Common in New York: Here's How Your Business Can Keep the Lights On

While the Empire State boasts an iconic brand and countless world-famous landmarks, it also has a reputation for something far less worthy of any fanfare: New York has a storied history regarding blackouts.

The outage that struck the Northeast in 2003 left New Yorkers (and neighboring states) in the dark for hours, even days, which led to an estimated $10 billion in economic loss. Of course, most blackouts don’t usually sweep multiple states at once, but that doesn’t make them less damaging for those affected. Power loss in any form can be costly, extremely inconvenient, and even put lives at risk.

Unfortunately, the state’s trend of consequential power losses is likely to continue in the future. New York meets several criteria that make blackouts likely, and as temperatures continue to rise throughout the region and across the country, these factors will be exacerbated.

Urban areas experience more heat waves than other regions because of the dense and heat-absorbent materials they employ. This leaves the country’s largest metropolitan area vulnerable to encountering levels of energy demand that outstrip supply. Beyond New York City, counties in the Hudson Valley are among the state’s most susceptible communities when outages arrive.

Ultimately, weaknesses in the power supply can have a heavy ripple effect no matter where they begin. A single institution (the New York Independent System Operator, NYISO) manages power flow throughout the entire state, so high temperatures and extreme demand in one area can have consequences for everyone, regardless of events happening in a specific location.

Another critical reality makes this predisposition for heat waves even more threatening: blackouts can often be a game of very small margins. As we’ve previously written, New York’s summer energy supply is expected to be sufficient under normal operating conditions. However, these baselines can easily be exceeded as temperatures spike across the state. An unexpected increase of even one or two degrees can quickly push the demand for power past available levels and end in catastrophe.

What Can You Do?

The bottom line is that blackouts are expensive, they create all kinds of headaches for businesses, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise if New York starts experiencing them more frequently.

But the good news is that you can make your own power supply more resilient, so when outages arrive in your area, you’ll have a source of energy that can continue to operate regardless of the larger grid’s status.

Here are three steps you can take to strengthen yourself against the next outage that comes your way.

1. Bring distributed energy to your property.

Establishing a source of on-site power generation can transform how you approach your energy supply. It’s affordable, easier than you think it is to get started, and more reliable than power drawn from the traditional grid—an essential factor in making it through your next blackout.

And you don’t have to take our word for it! The Department of Energy and many others have recognized microgrids and related solar resources as some of the most effective opportunities to become more energy resilient, addressing the grid’s weaknesses in the process.

Catalyst Power’s Connected Microgrid? solution is designed to meet this need seamlessly. It brings a source of solar power generation to your property by using your existing rooftop space (or, on the ground if you prefer and have the space). Plus, it’s a cost-effective approach from day one. We’ll install and maintain the necessary equipment at no cost to you so you can enjoy the benefits of a stronger energy system without any headaches or high expenditures.

2. Establish a reliable source of stored energy.

After connecting your business to a power source with the capacity to operate independently of the larger grid, you can make your operations even more resilient by adding battery storage. With this capability, you’re giving yourself a significant advantage during a power outage: You’re not competing with countless other energy users for a scarce supply. Instead, you’ll be able to draw upon your own dedicated source of stored power at a crucial moment.

It’s another tip that comes straight from the experts. In the same study identifying vulnerable regions across the state, researchers note the need for battery storage as an essential building block for more reliable power systems. The potent combination of on-site power generation and complementary battery storage is a surefire way to safeguard your business against the looming threat of blackouts.

3. Make your business a part of the solution.

Whether you bring on-site energy resources to your property, you can reduce the strain on the grid, which benefits everyone. If New York can reduce the demand for power from a single source, especially during extreme weather events, the region will be more successful in avoiding blackouts.

There are concrete steps your business can take right now to lower its power consumption in crucial moments. (While it’s both benevolent and a good PR move to support the region’s resilience, none of this is just a feel-good suggestion. These actions will also help you spend less on your energy bill.)

By subscribing to a Community Solar project in your area, you’ll support the growth of localized renewable energy projects and tap into a flow of clean, affordable power. A Rooftop Lease lets you monetize your existing infrastructure and develop a new power source for the surrounding community. At the same time, the decision to participate in a Demand Response program allows you to earn money by curtailing your own power use during periods of significant need. Each of these approaches can bolster a region’s energy supply during moments of high demand while delivering financial benefits directly to you along the way.

No matter which of these strategies you choose, you’ll put your business in a better place to respond when a power outage arrives. (You can also combine many of these solutions for an even greater impact!) Get started with our team and take action today—the next time a blackout strikes, you’ll be glad you did.