NY-BEST Announces Energy Storage Partnerships Award Winners

The New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST) is proud to announce the recipients of its inaugural Energy Storage Partnerships Awards at their annual Capture the Energy conference, recognizing outstanding efforts to develop energy storage projects that align with community priorities and promote inclusive workforce development. 

Robust Community Partnerships Award

This award honors deep, sustained collaboration between clean energy developers and the communities they serve. The 2025 recipient is a multi-stakeholder collaboration centered around the East River Energy Storage Project, a 100-megawatt battery energy storage project in Astoria, Queens. The project is sponsored by 174 Power Global under contract with Con Edison, sited on property owned by the New York Power Authority (NYPA), with support from Strategic Management Group and Constantinople & Vallone. The project team developed what has become a five year, deep partnership with Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, exemplifying how community organizations and clean energy developers can co-create programs that deliver tangible local benefits. Together, the group supports year-round STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education, career mentoring, and environmental engagement activities for youth in the neighborhood.

Inclusive Energy Storage Workforce Award

NineDot Energy’s People Operations team are being recognized for its leadership in building a more inclusive clean energy workplace. Through initiatives such as equitable hiring practices, cultural heritage celebrations, innovative social programming, and strategic internships, the team has embedded inclusive practices in a variety of ways throughout NineDot’s daily operations. NineDot is also proud to participate in the NYSERDA Clean Energy Internship Program and the NYSERDA On-the-Job Training Program to support individuals from underrepresented groups.

Today, 44% of NineDot employees are women and 41% come from historically marginalized communities, well above industry norms. This award honors NineDot’s commitment to making clean energy careers more accessible and representative.

Community Partnerships and Inclusive Workforce Award

This award celebrated programs that integrate hiring, training, and community development to advance a just energy transition. The 2025 award was presented to Viridi and GreenForce Training Inc. for their impactful partnership in Western New York. Viridi, a battery energy storage manufacturer, employs a workforce in which over 50% of employees have come through GreenForce’s programs. These employees benefit from a comprehensive suite of wraparound services, including housing assistance, mental health counseling, childcare, legal support, and leadership development.

With an employee retention rate of 84%, and over 90% of Viridi’s entry-level workforce coming from disadvantaged communities, this model proves that energy storage can be a powerful engine for economic renewal and equity to set a precedent for replication across New York State.   

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