A plan to turn the Ravenswood power plant into a clean energy hub
The Renewable Ravenswood plan is made up of five pieces.
Attentive Energy One and Offshore Wind
Our offshore wind project—is the first step to realizing Renewable Ravenswood! Wind energy is clean and renewable – it’s already used around the world to create jobs in many different fields including manufacturing, construction, operations and maintenance, finance, project management, and engineering.
We plan to deliver wind energy to New York through an underwater cable running below the East River called the Queensboro Renewable Express. The energy will travel across the North Atlantic to get to Ravenswood — this will be done with an underwater transmission site named the Queensboro Renewable Express. Just like subway tunnels and water lines, the cables will be safely buried beneath the bottom of the East River and New York Harbor. Building underwater will eliminate the need to cross private property, parks, and other public space!
North River Renewables and Upstate Sources
Wind and solar energy from Upstate New York will be connected to Ravenswood.
There’s not enough space to build enough solar panels and wind turbines in NYC for all the energy we need—that’s why many projects will be located in Upstate New York.
Large-Scale Battery Energy Storage
Large scale batteries will be built at Ravenswood to store the energy generated by renewable sources when they are not operating (e.g. when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining).
Thermal Energy Network
Thermal systems at Ravenswood (originally used to cool down generators) will be re-used to provide heating and cooling for nearby homes and businesses to replace oil and gas heating and hot water systems.
This will require an ongoing engineering study that is being funded jointly by New York State and Rise Light & Power.
Just Transition and Union Jobs
Rise is committed to making sure that the existing workforce (including the union members on site represented by Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2), along with the rest of the community, has access to clean energy training to help power the future.
Steps we’re taking to make the vision a reality
Our transition to a clean energy hub will take many years, but we are dedicated to making Renewable Ravenswood a reality. Here are some of the steps we’ve already taken, and the ones we plan to take in the future.
Developed the Renewable Ravenswood plan to help us replace all three large steam generators built in the 1960s.
Performed detailed surveys, compiled engineering studies, and built partnerships to make this project a reality.
Permanently retired 17 small gas generators, also known as “peakers”.
We are here: Our application for an Article VII Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (CECPN) is currently under review by various New York State agencies.
The energy will travel across the North Atlantic to get to Ravenswood—this will be done with an underwater transmission site named the Queensboro Renewable Express. Just like subway tunnels and water lines, the cables will be safely buried beneath the bottom of the East River and New York Harbor. Building underwater will eliminate the need to cross private property, parks, and other public space!
After all the checkpoints are passed, we will complete design and begin construction in the early 2030s.
Rise will continue to engage with the community to give updates on the project’s progress.
Define what community investments look like.
Rise and its Ravenswood neighbors explore how a Thermal Energy Network would work to provide heating and cooling for nearby homes and businesses, including NYCHA, by replacing oil and gas heating and hot water systems.
Together with Ravenswood communities, create a vision for the transformation of the Ravenswood Generating Station site.
[language about the long-term vision of Renewable Ravenswood]
Construction of the Ravenswood Generating Station site begins according to the project and community visions.