🗽 Responsible Grid Pilot NYC

How NYC Residents Are Powering a More Resilient Grid – One Home at a Time

June 1st 2025

This summer, something exciting is happening behind the scenes across New York City.

Just under a hundred households are participating in Responsible Grid — an initiative testing how residents can support the city’s power grid during extreme heat and high energy demand.

The goal? Help reduce emissions, relieve stress on the grid, and build a more climate-resilient NYC.

Snapshots of our battery systems paired with ACs to support the grid.

💡 The Idea Behind Responsible Grid

New York’s electric grid faces intense pressure on the hottest days of summer — when air conditioners crank up and energy use spikes. These moments strain infrastructure and often rely on the dirty sources of power.

The Responsible Grid pilot is exploring a simple idea: what if ordinary homes could become part of the solution?

Some households received portable batteries connected to their window air conditioners. These batteries automatically take over during key “grid events,” reducing household electricity draw without sacrificing comfort.

Since battery spots filled up quickly, many households joined as a control group — receiving short text prompts to reduce energy during peak hours. Their actions are just as valuable in helping us learn what works best.

🚚 By the Numbers (So Far)

Since the pilot launched, our team has:

Delivered 100+ batteries across ~70 households with more joining as control group
Driven 1,000 kilometers and walked up 60+ floors (who needs leg day?) for installations
Reached 32 unique Con Edison networks across NYC

Why It Matters & What’s Next

This pilot helps us test what works — and what’s scalable — as New York prepares for a future with more extreme weather and higher energy needs. Instead of building new infrastructure from scratch, programs like this can unlock smarter ways to use what we already have.

Throughout the summer, we’ll be sharing: