When we talk about building the battery industry of the future in New York state, it’s companies like Viridi that bring the vision to life.
Headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., Viridi is leading the charge in commercializing battery energy storage systems that are failsafe, scalable and innovative. From developing low-cost backup systems for traffic intersections to powering microgrids at locations like West Point, N.Y., Viridi’s products are engineered to be safe, resilient and adaptable — solving real-time infrastructure challenges across the state.
At the heart of the company’s latest breakthrough is a pilot program with the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT). It has embarked on a one-year field demonstration in Hamburg, N.Y., where Viridi installed its Failsafe Backup Power System on traffic lights at the intersection of Southwestern Boulevard and Camp Road. According to Chief Sustainability Officer Evan Van Hook, the Viridi solution has an immediate impact on a longstanding safety issue.
“Failure of traffic lights is one of the most serious problems facing the DOT,” Van Hook said. “When the power goes out, it puts both the public and first responders at serious risk.”
In the event of a traffic light outage, the Viridi solution (a 5kWh lithium-ion battery pack system) can switch from grid to battery power in .02 seconds and provide up to 24 hours of reliable backup power. This gives crews ample time to respond before an intersection goes totally dark. The company’s advanced system monitors traffic units in real time and alerts both Viridi’s service team and the DOT.
Building community alongside innovation
What sets Viridi apart isn’t just its technology, but where and how it’s built. With the automation process at its Buffalo manufacturing site, Viridi’s products hold the Made in America designation.
“Being able to relocate automation from overseas and complete our build in Buffalo speaks to our belief in the strength of New York’s manufacturing ecosystem,” Van Hook said.
That commitment to local workforce development is evident across the company. Several team members have completed training through Battery Academy, New Energy New York’s free online program that equips potential job-seekers with the skills they need for success in the battery industry. Over half of Viridi’s workforce also comes through GreenForce Training Inc., which is a not-for-profit organization focused on building a sustainable workforce for the clean energy manufacturing industry.
“The burgeoning clean, green manufacturing industry in the United States presents an exciting opportunity for collaboration,” said Jeffrey M. Conrad, executive director of GreenForce. “We are delighted to partner with Viridi to implement a comprehensive training and support program that will facilitate access to well-paying jobs and enhance employee retention rates. We are optimistic about the future of this industry and eagerly anticipate expanding our work within the clean, green energy sector.”
Delivering safe energy for big crowds
Beyond its technology-improving intersection safety, Viridi’s Mobile Energy Storage System is powering microgrids at West Point, reducing energy costs and emissions during cadet training. Its system was also placed at the desert-based festival Burning Man in 2024 and helped cut diesel fuel use by an estimated $65,000, contributing to the festival’s principle of ‘Leaving No Trace’ by not burning fossil fuels. Finally, its units were also at the Rochester International Jazz Festival and are planned to be on site at the New York State Fair in 2025.
But besides cutting fossil fuel usage, Viridi’s Energy Storage Systems have multiple other potential applications. They could aid development sites for future housing and disaster areas where power is lost or unpredictable. Its solution could directly replace fuel-powered generators with technology to monitor and regulate energy distribution back into a power grid, while not running the risk of thermal runaway in extreme temperatures.
As Van Hook explained during his recent talk at ReTool in western N.Y., “It’s not just about energy — it’s about reliability, resilience and readiness.” Companies like Viridi are helping define what it means to build a sustainable company in New York’s battery industry, while showing the rest of the country what innovation rooted in solving human-centric problems can look like.