Large, utility-scale battery installations are coming online quickly around the world. But there\u2019s been some pushback from communities\u2014especially population-dense ones like NYC\u2014because of concerns about relatively rare but high-profile battery fires.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe number-one challenge that large-scale centralized energy storage providers have is the fact that their benefits are abstract and their costs are concrete,\u201d said David Hammer, cofounder of PopWheels, at a New York Climate Week event on September 24.<\/p>\n
PopWheels built a battery-swapping system for delivery drivers who zip around the city on e-bikes. Drivers swap out depleted batteries for fresh ones at a cabinet, avoiding the need to stop and charge. There are about 50 cabinets across New York City, and about 2,500 batteries in circulation, Hammer says.<\/p>\n
The company recently started providing its batteries to food cart operators, allowing them to replace the gas generators they currently rely on. About four of its batteries can supply five kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to roughly cover a day\u2019s operation for many carts.<\/p>\n
Others are looking inside homes. Copper, for example, is a company building induction stoves with integrated batteries. The appliances allow residents to cook if the power goes out, and they could also help homeowners avoid expensive electrical upgrades, because the battery provides some of the power when the stove is in use. \u201cWe\u2019re not just selling a battery for resilience\u2014we\u2019re selling it for cost savings,\u201d Sam Calisch, cofounder and CEO of Copper, said at the event.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/wp.technologyreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Sept-2026-NolanCalischPhoto-9.jpg?w=840\")
<\/p>\nCOPPER<\/p>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n
Other companies, like Every Electric and David Energy are selling plug-in batteries for homes and businesses. Every\u2019s battery is designed to be plugged in to an air-conditioning unit. The company provides the batteries and pays customers to reduce use during high-stress times. David Energy has a similar business model, but focuses on businesses like laundromats, parking garages, and gyms.<\/p>\n
Because all these companies\u2019 batteries are small or even integrated into another device, they don\u2019t generally require grid upgrades or extensive permitting processes. Just plug them in and enjoy the benefits\u2014similar to the growing model of balcony solar, with small modules that plug in and help offset a home\u2019s or business\u2019s energy demand.<\/p>\n
The move toward more distributed batteries could be a huge change for the grid. \u201cThis is the biggest thing to happen in the power grid sector in the last 20 years,\u201d says James McGinniss, cofounder and CEO of David Energy.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
#smaller #distributed #batteries #grid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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