New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Nov. 5 that $27 million is now available through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to advance innovative alternative-fuel solutions in New York state.

The governor also announced that nearly $10 million has been awarded to five projects to develop, pilot and enhance the safety of alternative-fuel technologies.

By funding innovative energy solutions, Hochul’s office said she is helping to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors of the economy such as aviation, heavy-duty freight, maritime and the rail industry, and providing much needed back-up power.

The funding is available through NYSERDA’s advanced fuels and thermal energy research program.

“As New York confronts energy challenges no generation has faced before, these grants will help develop innovative fuel solutions that not only strengthen our energy independence but do so while reducing emissions, holding down costs and preserving grid reliability,” Hochul said. “By investing in emerging technologies and the infrastructure needed to bring them to market, we are building a cleaner, more resilient economy and making sure New Yorkers benefit from these advancements.”

Doreen Harris, the president and CEO of NYSERDA, added, “Advancing promising alternative fuels from concept to real-world application is critical to understanding their potential and accelerating deployment that can deliver meaningful benefits to New York’s economy. NYSERDA commends Gov. Hochul’s commitment to an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy and looks forward to working with these partners to pilot viable solutions and create a foundation for broader adoption across the state.”

Alternative-fuels funding

Administered by NYSERDA, the competitive drop-in alternative-fuels innovation projects solicitation seeks eligible proposals from developers, technology firms, manufacturers and research organizations to develop projects that produce an eligible fuel product including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable natural gas, renewable diesel, low-carbon methanol and renewable propane.

Ammonia, raw biogas, biodiesel and hydrogen are not considered eligible as the finished fuel product for this solicitation.

NYSERDA will accept proposals in one of three categories:

• Category A—pilot: Funding to validate an integrated alternative-fuel system in the field, moving from laboratory to engineering scale, at a specific New York state site.

• Category B—demonstration: Funding to demonstrate an integrated alternative-fuel system at a scale representative of a commercial facility, at a specific New York state site.

• Category C—first-of-a-kind commercial development: Development-stage activity funding to advance a first-of-its-kind commercial project in New York state toward construction and commercial operation.

Proposals must demonstrate expertise in conversion technology, engineering and feedstock supply, along with a host-site and a prospective offtake or end-use partner.

Funding can be applied to fuel production—from the initial feedstock to the finished-fuel transfer point.

It can also cover third-party analysis or certification testing to verify that the finished fuel meets specifications or regulatory limits.

Projects must meet a minimum 50 percent cost-share requirement from non-NYSERDA funding sources.

Proposers are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of intent to propose as early as possible.

NYSERDA will respond within three weeks of receipt as to the eligibility of the project under this solicitation.

Rolling submissions are now being accepted until Dec. 31, 2029, or until all funds are committed.

For additional details and associated documents, visit NYSERDA’s website.

Alternative-fuel projects awarded

In addition, NYSERDA has awarded approximately $10 million to five SAF and clean-hydrogen projects to help decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors.

All projects are awarded to New York companies and/or for development and demonstrations in New York.

The awarded projects include:

• American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ Center for Hydrogen Safety: Awarded $850,000 to develop hydrogen safety-training modules for first responders and permitting officials in New York and beyond.

• Fire Department of the City of New York: Awarded $200,000 to build department-wide capability to respond safely to hydrogen emergencies, covering monitoring equipment, and curriculum for existing department-training programs.

• Hydroplane Ltd.: Awarded nearly $2 million to design and build a prototype emission-free, hydrogen fuel cell-electric cargo watercraft for bulk-hydrogen transport on New York’s inland waterways.

• Noblehurst Green Energy: Awarded more than $4 million to build and operate a pilot plant at Noblehurst Farms in Pavilion, New York, that turns waste biogas into SAF using NGV Earth’s patented conversion process.

• Switch Maritime LLC: Awarded more than $2.5 million to design, assemble and demonstrate a tug-propelled barge platform to carry hydrogen from suppliers outside New York City to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

“Commercializing novel emerging technologies is essential to meeting New York’s grid reliability and affordability challenges,” said Rory Christian, chair of the Public Service Commission. “The Public Service Commission applauds the forward-looking leadership of Gov. Hochul and NYSERDA to support investments that give promising technologies a shot to realize their potential as clean solutions within the state’s all-of-the-above energy strategy. This process will allow these technologies to demonstrate their ability to enhance our economy and create new opportunities throughout the state.”

Funding for these initiatives is provided through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the Clean Energy Fund.