Viridi Replaces New York Municipal Diesel Generator with Battery

Why It Matters

The switch cuts operational costs and greenhouse‑gas emissions while boosting reliability for critical public‑health infrastructure, signaling broader municipal adoption of clean backup power.

Key Takeaways

• 150‑kWh BESS replaces diesel at Erie County pump
• Backup power lasts 32‑90 hours depending on demand
• Eliminates fuel use, cuts emissions and maintenance costs
• Real‑time monitoring reduces truck rolls and downtime
• Model for 100 similar pump stations regionally

Pulse Analysis

Municipal wastewater facilities have long relied on diesel generators for emergency power, a practice that incurs fuel costs, regular maintenance, and significant greenhouse‑gas emissions. As cities pursue climate‑resilient strategies, battery energy storage systems (BESS) emerge as a cleaner alternative that can deliver instant power without the logistical burden of fuel deliveries. The transition also aligns with broader grid‑modernization efforts, allowing utilities to integrate stored renewable energy and improve overall system reliability during outages. These systems also reduce noise pollution, improving community livability.

Viridi’s 150‑kWh RPSLink BESS, installed at Erie County Sewer District No. 2 in Hamburg, New York, replaces a legacy diesel generator and provides 32 to 90 hours of backup power depending on pump load. The system’s modular, IP55‑rated containers deliver near‑instantaneous start‑up, eliminating fuel handling and reducing emissions by an estimated 15 tonnes per year. Integrated real‑time monitoring alerts operators to performance anomalies, cutting truck rolls and maintenance labor. Early observations indicate lower operating expenses and heightened resilience, positioning the site as a template for the county’s roughly 100 similar pump stations. The installation was completed within six weeks, minimizing disruption.

The Erie County deployment signals a growing appetite among municipalities for battery‑backed resilience solutions that dovetail with state climate mandates and funding incentives. By demonstrating cost savings, emissions reductions, and operational reliability, the project can accelerate BESS adoption across the nation’s aging water and wastewater infrastructure. Vendors like Viridi are likely to see increased demand for scalable, pre‑engineered storage kits, while utilities may partner to provide grid services such as demand response, creating new revenue streams and further justifying the capital outlay. Cities can leverage federal resilience grants to offset upfront costs.

Viridi replaces New York municipal diesel generator with battery

By Billy Ludt, Managing Editor, Solar Power World

Viridi deployed a battery energy storage system (BESS) at a wastewater pumping station in Erie County Sewer District No. 2 in Hamburg, New York. The project strengthens public infrastructure while reducing operational costs and diesel emissions, and replaces traditional backup generators.

The RPSLink BESS installed to replace a diesel generator at Erie County Sewer District No. 2 in Hamburg, New York. Viridi

Wastewater pumping stations are critical to public health, but typically rely on diesel generators that require frequent testing, fuel treatments and ongoing maintenance, despite infrequent use.

Viridi’s solution provides a safer, more cost‑effective and more sustainable alternative. The newly installed 150‑kWh RPSLink BESS delivers 32 to 90 hours of dependable backup power depending on pump demand, providing continuous operation through outages without the fuel consumption, emissions or maintenance of diesel generators.

“By replacing the outdated diesel generator with a Viridi battery energy storage system, we eliminate fuel dependency, expect reductions in maintenance costs and achieve near‑instant backup power, and dovetails neatly with Erie County’s ongoing climate and energy goals,” said Angela M. Horton, P.E., senior sanitary engineer for Erie County Division of Sewerage Management. “This transition not only cuts our emissions, but we expect improvements in reliability and resilience for these critical wastewater pumping operations. While the Viridi system was only recently installed, we are very optimistic about its future impacts.”

The Viridi BESS is supported by real‑time monitoring designed to reduce truck rolls, detect system issues and increase reliability for wastewater operations. Erie County’s deployment will serve as a model for future installations in a region with nearly 100 similar pump stations.

“This project shows what’s possible when public infrastructure embraces safer, smarter, and more sustainable energy technologies,” said Jon M. Williams, CEO of Viridi. “Wastewater pumping stations are essential to community health, yet they’ve been powered by the same diesel‑based systems for decades. Our fail‑safe BESS offers municipalities a cleaner, more reliable and more economical path forward — one that protects both residents and the environment.”

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