The State of New York is going nuclear to address its needs to expand its clean energy options.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) recently released a draft “blueprint” for advanced nuclear power development. According to NYSERDA’s website, the draft blueprint will “advance issues and considerations for the potential deployment of advanced nuclear power generation and potentially leverage federal funding programs, including but not limited to, nuclear planning grants.”
The draft says that more compact advanced reactors “could offer attractive possibilities for New York, with scalability, economic development, low land use and potential applications of process heat... that can complement New York’s buildout of renewables.”
But the draft also cites hurdles such as “technological readiness, costs and environmental justice, among other factors.”
“Nuclear construction risks are real, even for small projects,” Marc Nichol, executive director of new nuclear at the Nuclear Energy Institute, told Engineering News-Record. “Firms want partnerships with government.”
The move comes as New York is facing concerns over its ability to meet the nation-leading energy goals set in its 2019 climate law. The state must reach 70% renewable power by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040 – goals that Gov. Kathy Hochul acknowledged as ambitious during her keynote address at the state-sponsored Future Energy Economy Summit in September.
Despite the hurdles yet to be tackled, Gov. Hochul said completed projects – such as the opening of nation’s first utility-scale offshore wind project last year – show her state is making progress.
“New York is furiously committed to the 2019 climate goals,” the governor said. “We can figure this out.”
But in its reporting, ENR noted that much of the transmission work completed so far has been in upstate regions already using clean energy. Costly upgrades are still needed in New York City and Long Island, which rely on an aging grid powered mostly by fossil fuels.
Cost and supply chain issues are slowing progress at the same time New York is pushing to attract high-tech manufacturing plants that will require extraordinary amounts of power.
“I am doing everything I humanly can to launch the economies of the future; it’s happening right now,” Hochul said in her address. “They all must be powered with sources and our capacity, my friends, is not there right now.”
The Challenges of Converting U.S. Cities and States to Clean Energy
New York isn’t the only state in the U.S. taking ambitious steps toward a future powered by clean energy.
Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower are at the heart of this transformation. However, the road to a sustainable energy future is fraught with challenges. From infrastructural limitations to regulatory hurdles and social equity concerns, achieving a clean energy transition requires thoughtful planning, innovative policy, and significant financial investment.
1. Infrastructure Overhaul
One of the most significant obstacles in the clean energy transition is modernizing the existing energy infrastructure. The current energy grid was designed for centralized, fossil-fuel-based power generation, not for the decentralized nature of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Integrating renewables into the grid requires upgrades to transmission and distribution systems to handle variable energy flows. Energy storage solutions, such as large-scale battery storage, are also critical to balance supply and demand when renewable generation fluctuates due to weather changes.
Many cities and states must also contend with aging infrastructure. Power lines, substations, and transformers often require replacement or retrofitting to accommodate new technology. These upgrades are costly and time-consuming, often requiring years of planning, permitting, and construction. Without modernized infrastructure, cities risk blackouts or service interruptions as they attempt to transition to clean energy.
2. Policy and Regulatory Barriers
Policy and regulation play a crucial role in shaping the clean energy landscape. However, inconsistent regulations at the federal, state, and local levels can complicate the shift to renewables. States have varying renewable energy standards (RES) and goals, with some aiming for 100% clean energy by specific target dates, while others have less ambitious or no targets at all. These differences create a patchwork of policies that complicate regional cooperation and slow progress.
Furthermore, the permitting process for renewable energy projects can be lengthy and bureaucratic. Local opposition, environmental reviews, and land use conflicts often delay solar and wind farm construction. In some cases, renewable energy projects are met with resistance from local communities concerned about aesthetics, noise, or environmental impact. Streamlining the permitting process while balancing community concerns is essential to expedite clean energy deployment.
3. Financial and Economic Constraints
Transitioning to clean energy requires substantial investment. While the cost of solar and wind technology has fallen dramatically over the past decade, the initial capital required for large-scale deployment remains a barrier. Public funding and private investment are both needed to finance the development of renewable energy facilities, battery storage, and grid upgrades.
State and municipal budgets are often constrained, and competition for funding with other priorities like healthcare, education, and infrastructure maintenance can limit the amount of money allocated to energy projects. Federal programs and incentives, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS Act have provided financial support, but there is still a substantial funding gap that needs to be addressed.
Moreover, there is the challenge of ensuring that the costs of the transition do not disproportionately impact low-income households. Renewable energy initiatives, such as community solar projects, aim to make clean energy accessible to all, but affordability remains a concern. Equitable financing mechanisms, such as on-bill financing and energy efficiency grants, are critical to ensure the benefits of clean energy are distributed fairly.
4. Technological Challenges
Technological innovation is a double-edged sword in the clean energy transition. On the one hand, advances in solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage have made renewable energy more cost-effective and efficient. On the other hand, the rapid pace of technological change poses challenges for cities and states trying to future-proof their investments.
Energy storage is a particularly critical challenge. Solar and wind energy are intermittent, meaning they are only available when the sun shines or the wind blows. To ensure a stable energy supply, cities must invest in energy storage systems that can store excess energy for use during periods of low generation. While battery technology is improving, large-scale energy storage solutions are still expensive and have limited capacity.
Another challenge is the development of smart grids and digital technologies to manage the flow of energy efficiently. Smart grids use sensors, automation, and data analytics to optimize energy distribution and predict demand. However, deploying these systems requires significant investment in software, hardware, and cybersecurity measures to protect against hacking and data breaches.
5. Workforce and Skill Development
The shift to clean energy is not just a technological transition but also a workforce transition. Fossil fuel jobs in coal, oil, and natural gas are being phased out, while new jobs in solar, wind, and energy efficiency are being created. However, the skills required for clean energy jobs are often different from those in traditional energy sectors.
Training and reskilling workers to meet the demands of the clean energy economy is essential to ensure a just transition. Workforce development programs and technical training initiatives can help displaced workers find new opportunities in the renewable energy sector. However, the speed at which this transition occurs can leave some workers behind, especially in regions where fossil fuel industries have historically been major employers.
6. Equity and Environmental Justice
Environmental justice is a crucial consideration in the shift to clean energy. Historically, low-income communities and communities of color have borne the brunt of pollution from fossil fuel power plants and industrial facilities. The clean energy transition provides an opportunity to rectify these injustices, but it also raises new equity challenges.
For instance, low-income households may face difficulties in accessing renewable energy options, like rooftop solar, due to high upfront costs or lack of homeownership. Community solar projects and energy efficiency programs aim to address these disparities, but more comprehensive policies are needed to ensure an equitable transition. Furthermore, the siting of renewable energy projects, such as wind farms or solar installations, must be done in a way that avoids displacing vulnerable communities or exacerbating existing inequalities.
7. Political and Public Support
The clean energy transition is inherently political. Policymakers at all levels of government must balance competing interests, from environmental advocates to fossil fuel industry lobbyists. Public opinion also plays a significant role in shaping energy policy. While most Americans support renewable energy development, there are still pockets of resistance fueled by misinformation, ideological opposition, or economic concerns.
Political leadership is critical to overcoming these barriers. Cities and states with strong political will, clear goals, and community engagement are more likely to achieve their clean energy targets. Building public support through education, transparent decision-making, and community involvement can help reduce opposition and accelerate progress.
How GPRS Assists with Clean Energy Projects
The transition to clean energy in U.S. cities and states is a monumental task. It requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors, from upgrading infrastructure to addressing equity issues. Policy reforms, technological advancements, workforce development, and public support all play critical roles in this transformation.
GPRS supports clean energy projects through our comprehensive suite of subsurface damage prevention, existing conditions documentation, and construction & facilities project management services. From precision concrete scanning and utility locating to 3D laser scanning and progress documentation, we Intelligently Visualize The Built World® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.
What can we help you visualize?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can GPRS locate PVC piping and other non-conductive utilities?
GPR scanning is exceptionally effective at locating all types of subsurface materials. There are times when PVC pipes do not provide an adequate signal to ground penetrating radar equipment and can’t be properly located by traditional methods. However, GPRS Project Managers are expertly trained at multiple methods of utility locating.
What is as-built 3D documentation?
As-built 3D documentation is an accurate set of drawings for a project. They reflect all changes made during the construction process and show the exact dimensions, geometry, and location of all elements of the work.
