What Clean Power Means to Energy Security
When you think about fossil-fuel free energy, you might consider impacts like protecting wildlife habitat and public health. We explore a less familiar notion: that where and how our power is generated matters to our independence.
“Energy efficiency reduces the likelihood of supply interruptions; the only energy source that cannot be interrupted is the energy that is not used.”
—International Energy Agency
Call it energy security or energy independence, but we’re more aware than ever that the sources of our power matter. The good news? A combination of locally produced and clean electricity put Western New York in a position to seize a more secure future.
The war in Ukraine and the resulting efforts to reduce reliance on Russian gas and coal have brought questions about energy security and dependency into focus for governments and businesses worldwide. And with prices at the pump jumping, a lot of everyday drivers may be asking for the first time where our fuel and its costs actually come from.
When we look at New York, nearly 25% of the state’s power needs are met by our own resources, according to the New York Power Authority (NYPA), which is the largest state public power utility in the country. Having a significant portion of generation in-state can help lower fuel transportation and energy transmission costs, and in theory should reduce dependencies on outside sources and potential shocks to the system. Some experts suggest that localized energy provides protection from macrotrends like international supply issues and climate change, and can also be life-saving during emergencies, like during Hurricane Sandy where a handful of microgids kept the only power on in storm-struck areas.
But while producing locally is important, perhaps even more critical is how that energy is generated and used. Energy efficiency can significantly strengthen energy security at both the regional and national levels. According to the International Energy Agency, “By reducing overall energy demand, efficiency can reduce reliance on imports of oil, gas and coal. Energy efficiency can therefore play a crucial role in ensuring both long- and short-term energy security in a cost-effective manner.”
That’s where we in New York State, and especially in the Genesee/Finger Lakes region, already have an advantage. More than 80% of the power generated in-state is clean hydropower, according to NYPA. And the portion of the grid that includes Upstate NY is the cleanest in the nation—91% fossil fuel free according to the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO).
Source: New York ISO
In regions that rely heavily on fossil fuels for power, the move to more carbon-free electricity sources as a baseline for efficiency and security can be a tremendous investment in time and resources. But here in Western New York, we can already turn our focus to more ambitious, future-focused goals, such as conversion to electric vehicles and heat pumps, while increasing our carbon-free sources of electricity to meet new demand.
Right in our backyard, the Niagara Power Project is New York State’s biggest electricity producer, putting out
2.6 million kilowatts of clean electricity. Source: nypa.gov
The economic benefits of these kinds of innovation are their own kind of security. Across member countries and other major economies, the IEA recorded efficiency gains between 2000 and 2017 that avoided 20% in fossil fuel imports, saving over $30 billion, and found that those efficiencies also strengthened economic competitiveness. The IEA looked at countries, but regionally, energy security could provide advantages for us here as we grow our Genesee/Finger Lakes economy and brand.
Whether you’re choosing EV for your business fleet or powering your building with clean electric energy, you’re contributing to a more secure, economically successful, and healthy Western New York. Stay in touch and discover the financial incentives that make it a smart business decision too.
