A renter-friendly pilot program in New York City is testing a novel approach to reduce strain on the power grid during heat waves while helping customers manage their electricity bills. Instead of asking residents to turn up their thermostats, the initiative uses plug-in batteries that power window air conditioning units offline during peak demand periods.
How the Battery Program Works
The devices, roughly the size of a microwave, charge when electricity demand is low and then run window AC units for several hours when demand spikes. Developed by Every Electric in partnership with Con Edison, the program is part of the utility's demand response initiatives, which compensate customers for reducing or shifting electricity use to support grid stability.
“It’s basically a souped up version of the power bank that you would use to charge your phone when you go out,” said Andrew Wang, CEO of Every Electric. The pilot is expanding to over 1,000 homes this summer, with participants receiving cash rebates.
Why Electricity Becomes Pricier During Heat Events
When electricity demand surges, utilities often rely on backup power plants that are less efficient and more polluting, according to Kevin Brehm, a manager at RMI, a nonprofit energy research organization. Over time, these spikes can force utilities to build additional power plants—frequently fossil-fuel based—with costs passed on to consumers. “There’s a question of emissions, and then there’s also a really important question around affordability,” Brehm said.
Traditional strategies like asking residents to conserve energy or setting higher peak-hour rates are unreliable because they depend on consumer behavior. Battery networks offer a more predictable solution.
Virtual Power Plants and Grid Management
The program reflects a broader shift toward virtual power plants, which coordinate thousands of small energy devices—such as home batteries or smart appliances—to send power back to the grid during peak demand. California, for instance, is developing one of the world's largest virtual power plants, paying participants to use stored energy during extreme climate events. However, most such programs are limited to homeowners with solar panels.
Every Electric’s solution is designed for renters with window AC units. It reduces demand by using stored battery power rather than exporting electricity to the grid. “I can’t put solar panels on my roof,” said Bianca Pasternack, a New York City renter enrolled in the program. “This is at least something that’s accessible and easy. It was very set-it-and-forget-it.”
Scaling the Pilot Program
The battery plugs into the AC unit and a wall outlet, connecting via a smartphone app that detects low-demand periods for charging. During peak times—typically 1 to 4 p.m. or 4 to 8 p.m. in summer—the battery powers the AC. Participants can earn roughly the equivalent of a July electric bill; Pasternack received a $100 gift card at the end of the season.
Every Electric’s pilot is growing from about 200 kilowatts of flexible capacity last year to roughly 2 megawatts this summer, with plans to expand to other cities. By comparison, California's virtual power plant exceeds 200 megawatts. Brehm noted that widespread adoption depends on ease of deployment and grid integration. “It’s plug-and-play and you don’t need a ton of permissions,” he said.
