Albany, NY – 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. More information here.
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. More information here.
Statements from Leaders
“NY-BEST remains steadfast in its mission to advance energy storage through innovation and collaboration,” said Dr. William Acker, Executive Director of NY-BEST. “The Variety Boys & Girls Club’s partnership with the East River Energy Storage team, NineDot Energy’s inclusive workplace, and Viridi’s partnership with GreenForce Training exemplify the values needed to ensure energy storage delivers on New York’s vision for a just energy transition.”
“This year’s awardees demonstrate the transformative power of energy storage when it’s rooted in equity, partnership, and local impact,” said Eva Gardow, Chair of the NY-BEST Board of Directors. “We are proud to celebrate their leadership and appreciate their recognition of the community’s role in embracing new energy projects.”
“We are proud to share in this award, which reflects the East River Energy Storage Project team’s commitment to partnering with our organization to create meaningful opportunities for local youth,” said Costa Constantinides, CEO of the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens. “As construction begins on the largest energy storage project in New York, we look forward to building a long-term alliance.”
“174 Power Global is honored to be recognized by NY-BEST for the Robust Community Partnerships Award,” said Joo Yoon, CEO of 174 Power Global. “As we begin construction of the
East River Energy Storage project to improve the resiliency of our grid, let us also continue to invest in the resiliency of our youth. Our partnership with the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens has been extremely rewarding and entire 174 Power Global East River project team, including Constantinople and Vallone and Strategic Management Group, is proud to be part of this collaborative effort.”
“The New York Power Authority thanks NY-BEST for recognizing the East River Storage Project as a Robust Community Partnership that will support renewable energy growth, reduce greenhouse gases and improve grid reliability,” said Justin E. Driscoll, New York Power Authority President and CEO. “Creative community connections, like those formed through this project with Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, ConEdison, Strategic Management Group and Constantinople & Vallone, foster the tangible, local engagement that drives our state’s clean energy transition.”
"Con Edison is proud to be honored for strengthening our communities as we build a more reliable and sustainable energy grid," said Matthew Ketschke, president of Con Edison. “We are grateful for our collaboration with the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, and we thank the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium for this recognition.”
“Successful battery projects are the result of shared beliefs including the benefits of resiliency while addressing the long-term stewardship themes that resonate in communities, including local jobs and career mentoring, education while demonstrating commitment to creating relationships that build trust and connectivity,” said CEO Kelly Sarber of Strategic Management Group.
“We are proud that Constantinople & Vallone Consulting LLC has been recognized with the Robust Community Partnerships Award by NY-Best in recognition of our role supporting the East River Energy Storage System in Queens,” said Anthony Constantinople, Partner. “The project represents the culmination of the decades of work by the Vallone family to retire the oil and gas plant formally on the Poletti site and so it is gratifying to see a clean energy project for battery storage re-purpose this brownfield site.”
“We’re honored to receive this award and are proud of the culture we’re building at NineDot. Inclusion is a commitment we live every day through our hiring, training, and engagement practices,” said Fred Polirer, Vice President, People & Culture at NineDot Energy. “We believe that a diverse, empowered team, representative of the communities we serve, is essential to driving innovation and equity in the clean energy transition.”
“This partnership between GreenForce and Viridi shows what’s possible when workforce development is rooted in trust, support, and real opportunity,” said Reverend James E. (Pastor) Giles, Head of Personnel at Viridi. “GreenForce graduates aren’t just finding jobs; they’re building careers in their own communities, with the resources they need to thrive. We’re proud to help set a new standard for inclusive hiring in New York’s energy economy.”
The Award Ceremony was held during NY-BEST’s 15th annual Capture the Energy Conference, a premier event for professionals in the energy storage sector. The Capture the Energy Conference brings together leaders from the energy storage and renewable energy sectors, New York State government, utilities and regulators to explore how energy storage can accelerate progress toward climate goals, modernize the grid, and fuel the clean energy economy.