Keeping NYC Cool Without Overloading the Grid: How Plug-In Batteries Helped Renters Beat the Heat

As record-breaking temperatures swept across New York City this summer, keeping homes cool became a matter of safety. At the same time, the city's electric grid faced enormous pressure as millions of air conditioners ran throughout the day. While residents were encouraged to reduce their energy use by raising their thermostat settings, a new pilot program showed there may be another way to protect the grid—without sacrificing comfort.

Every Electric, a New York-based startup, partnered with Con Edison to launch an innovative program that allows renters to power their window air conditioners with plug-in home batteries. The batteries charge when electricity demand is low and automatically provide power to the AC during peak demand periods. This simple technology reduces the amount of electricity drawn from the grid at its busiest times while allowing residents to keep their homes cool.

This approach addresses a unique challenge in New York City, where millions of people live in apartments without central air conditioning. On extremely hot days, window air conditioners can account for nearly 20% of the city's total electricity demand, making them a major contributor to peak energy use. During the July heat wave, the batteries helped shift electricity consumption away from these critical hours, easing stress on the grid while maintaining indoor comfort.

The pilot currently includes more than 1,000 batteries serving approximately 600 apartments, collectively providing about 2.5 megawatt-hours of distributed energy storage. While this represents only a small portion of the city's overall electricity demand, it demonstrates how distributed energy resources can make a meaningful impact when deployed at scale. Instead of building additional power infrastructure or relying on fossil fuel "peaker" plants during periods of high demand, utilities can use technologies like battery storage to better manage electricity use.

One of the most exciting aspects of this program is its accessibility. Many clean energy technologies, such as rooftop solar panels and traditional home battery systems, primarily benefit homeowners. Every Electric's plug-in batteries are designed specifically for renters, allowing apartment residents to participate in grid-support programs without making permanent upgrades to their homes. Participants can also earn up to $150 per battery through Con Edison's Smart Usage Rewards program for helping reduce electricity demand during peak events.

As extreme heat becomes more frequent due to climate change, innovative solutions like this could play an increasingly important role in strengthening grid reliability. By combining battery storage with demand response programs, utilities can reduce strain on the electric system, avoid costly infrastructure upgrades, and lower reliance on fossil fuel power plants during periods of peak demand.

With more than 10,000 window air conditioner owners already requesting batteries, the demand for renter-friendly energy solutions is clear. Programs like this demonstrate that improving grid resilience doesn't always require massive infrastructure projects—sometimes it starts with giving people simple tools that help them stay safe, comfortable, and connected while supporting a cleaner, more reliable energy future.

Read more here: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/batteries/every-electric-nyc-renters-ac-grid