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NYC Expands Pilot Letting Renters Power Window ACs With Plug‑In Batteries

Con Edison is backing a renter-first virtual power plant that shifts cooling load off the grid to lower costs and pollution.

Sonam Velani and Yan Sim plug unbox a battery from Every Electric to power an air conditioner as part of a pilot program with the city's energy company Con Edison to reduce pressure on the electrical grid Monday, April 27, 2026, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Alyssa Goodman)
Sonam Velani and Yan Sim plug in a battery from Every Electric to power an air conditioner as part of a pilot program with the city's energy company Con Edison to reduce pressure on the electrical grid Monday, April 27, 2026, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Alyssa Goodman)
Sonam Velani hooks up a battery from Every Electric to power an air conditioner as part of a pilot program with the city's energy company Con Edison to reduce pressure on the electrical grid Monday, April 27, 2026, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Alyssa Goodman)
A battery from Every Electric to power an air conditioner as part of a pilot program with the city's energy company Con Edison to reduce pressure on the electrical grid sits on an apartment floor Monday, April 27, 2026, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Alyssa Goodman)

Overview

  • Every Electric’s Con Edison–partnered pilot will reach more than 1,000 New York City homes this summer with cash rebates for participants.
  • The microwave‑sized battery plugs between a window AC and the wall, charges when demand is low, then runs the AC during peak hours like 1–4 p.m. or 4–8 p.m.
  • The company says flexible capacity is rising from about 200 kilowatts last year to roughly 2 megawatts this season, with plans to pursue other cities.
  • The program targets renters with window units and lowers grid demand rather than exporting power, offering a plug‑and‑play option for people without rooftop solar.
  • An RMI expert says reducing peak use can avoid dirtier backup plants and high costs, and Con Edison says batteries can boost reliability and delay new infrastructure.