Non-Wires Alternatives

Non-Wires Alternatives

Moving Toward the Interactive Grid of the Future

Non-Wires Alternatives

We are committed to considering innovative Non-Wires Alternatives (NWA) solutions to electric capital investments where they are appropriate and cost-effective. NWA solutions utilize third-party distributed energy resources (DERs) to defer or avoid certain traditional electric infrastructure projects and support achievement of the targets established by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

 

Strategy

Our strategy for NWA is to build a portfolio of NWA DER projects which are cost effective for customers, provide reliable alternatives to traditional capital investment projects, and provide full cost recovery and earnings opportunities for our companies, while we comply with regulatory directives and learn from and work cooperatively with other utilities and stakeholders.

 

Project Selection and Process
NWA solutions provide the opportunity to improve reliability, explore alternative infrastructure solutions, and contribute to New York’s energy vision. To determine upcoming distribution and transmission projects suitable for these solutions, several factors are considered. Traditional electric system construction projects that meet a need for decreased demand and/or increased reliability, with a minimum of 36 months until time of need and construction costs greater than $1,000,000 are reviewed as potential NWA projects. Projects are evaluated and ordered according to time of need. Requests for proposals (RFP) are then scheduled and responses are reviewed to determine the cost-effectiveness and technical viability of each project. Contracting with third party developers and project construction, measurement and verification follow.

 

Project Opportunities

Non-Wires Alternative to Liberty Area Substation Projects Request for Proposal (RFP)

 

Background:

NYSEG is issuing this RFP for Distributed Energy Resources (DER’s) to defer the project costs of planned Hilldale and/or Swan Lake substation upgrades.

Hilldale and Swan Lake substations serve a region that experiences a notable increase in electrical demand on Friday evenings starting with the July 4th holiday period, and continuing every Friday evening through Labor Day weekend. Analysis of historical and correlated load data indicates that each substation exhibits a distinct load profile characterized by a predictable and repeatable trend aligned with these seasonal usage patterns. There are no other overload concerns the remaining 10 months of the year.

 

Purpose:

NYSEG is issuing this RFP for resources to avoid the need for the proposed Hilldale and Swan Lake substation load reduction projects. To achieve the proposed traditional solution, a new 12.47kV bank and distribution bus at NYSEG’s Ferndale substation would need to be created along with new 12.47kV distribution circuits to transfer load off of the Hilldale and Swan Lake substations. This solution will relieve loading on Hilldale and Swan Lake substations and circuits, reduce loading on the Liberty substation, and create 12.47kV ties with the Grossinger and White Lake substations.

The proposed NWA solution(s) must address NYSEG’s responsibility to provide safe and reliable service at reasonable costs and in an environmentally sound manner.

To indicate your desire to participate in this RFP opportunity, please respond via email to Libertynwa@NYSEG.com at your earliest convenience. Upon NYSEG’s receipt of a respondent’s interest, NYSEG will provide the respondent with details regarding the RFP pre-bid teleconference, which is scheduled for December 10, 2025.

RFP responses will be due on February 19, 2026, by 5 p.m. EST.
 

RFP Documents:

 

Current Projects
Stillwater NWA Project

NYSEG’s Stillwater substation serves approximately 1,270 residential and small commercial customers via a substation and distribution circuit where overload conditions and power quality (i.e., low voltage) issues are identified system needs.

In July 2017, NYSEG issued the Stillwater Non-Wires Alternatives (NWA) Request for Proposals (RFP) which requested responses from qualified developers with the capability to deliver innovative solutions to defer or avoid the need for the construction of the traditional transformer upgrade project. Proposed NWA solution(s) were required to address NYSEG’s responsibility to provide safe and reliable service at reasonable costs and in an environmentally sound manner. NYSEG conducted an in-depth analysis of the proposals received, choosing to meet the identified project needs through a developer installed and operated 1 MW/2.9 MWh battery energy storage solution located roughly 1.8 miles from the Stillwater substation on the 4.8 kV distribution circuit.

NYSEG and the developer continue to progress toward a proposed in-service date in 2023. With the Stillwater NWA project, NYSEG plans to defer for 10 years the implementation of the traditional wires solution which would upgrade and replace the existing transformer and upgrade the distribution circuit.

Stillwater Non-Wires Alternatives Fact Sheet
 

Additional Questions?
Contact us nonwiresalternatives@avangrid.com.