Energy Storage Expansion Displaces Peaker Plants and Advances Urban Environmental Justice

Written by:

Rudi Davis

Date:

17 Sep 2025

Share

Share via Facebook

Share via Linkedin

Share via X

Copy to clipboard

Energy storage projects are becoming the frontline defense against environmental inequity in urban neighborhoods historically burdened by polluting power infrastructure, according to a senior executive at NineDot Energy.

Sam McGarvey, who leads origination and project development at NineDot Energy, argues that battery storage facilities play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable communities from harmful emissions. “Our batteries are a direct displacement of those really emissive peaker plants, many of which are located in low-income neighborhoods,” McGarvey says, referring to the highly-polluting power plants traditionally used to meet peak electricity demand.

The Hidden Health Impact of Power Infrastructure

According to McGarvey, the conventional approach to managing peak power demand, particularly during extreme weather events, has disproportionately affected certain communities. “These peaker plants emit particulate matter and cause high asthma rates,” McGarvey explains, highlighting the direct health consequences on nearby residents.

This impact was starkly illustrated during recent heat waves, McGarvey notes. “Parts of New York City three-four weeks ago, when the heat waves hit in late July, were experiencing brownouts or grid reliability issues – when people don’t think about that in a first-rate city like New York City,” he says.

From Theory to Practice: Building an Equitable Energy Network

NineDot Energy is actively working to address these disparities through strategic project placement. “We ensure that no neighborhood is left out of the equitable energy transition,” McGarvey states. The company currently operates seven projects across four locations in New York City, with 50 more in various stages of development.

McGarvey says the company’s approach involves careful consideration of community needs and grid requirements. “We are building where this load relief is often needed, which is in the outer boroughs, as dictated by Con Edison,” he explains. “They kind of send signals out, and they say, ‘We really need energy storage in this part of Brooklyn or Queens or Staten Island.'”

The Path Forward

While NineDot Energy’s current footprint is significant, McGarvey says the company’s ambitions extend much further. “Our publicly stated goal is to have 400 megawatts of projects operational in New York City in the next few years,” he reveals.

The company’s growth reflects broader support for energy storage solutions. McGarvey points to backing from multiple stakeholders, including city government through the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, state authorities, and utilities. This institutional support, he suggests, validates the critical role of energy storage in creating more equitable urban environments.

However, McGarvey acknowledges that public education remains crucial. “Energy storage sometimes is a bit misunderstood,” he says, comparing it to historical reactions to new technologies. “People feared the gas station in 1910 and 1920 because they’re used to horses. People in the 90s were very fearful of cell phone towers, and everyone wants a cell phone tower in their town now.”