Battery Backup Systems

Erie County has implemented a battery energy storage system (BESS) at a wastewater pumping station in Erie County Sewer District No. 2, Town of Hamburg, as part of a broader effort to modernize critical infrastructure and reduce environmental impact. The transition from diesel-based backup generation to battery storage represents a shift toward lower-emission, cleaner energy solutions for essential municipal services.

Traditional diesel generators used at wastewater facilities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, local air pollutants, and fuel-related environmental risks. They also require ongoing fuel storage and treatment, which carry additional ecological considerations. By replacing diesel backup with a 150 kWh RPSLink BESS, the county eliminates on-site fuel combustion and associated emissions during outages.

The system delivers 32 to 90 hours of backup power, depending on pump demand, ensuring uninterrupted wastewater operations while reducing carbon output, minimizing air pollution, and supporting broader municipal sustainability and climate resilience objectives.

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