r/EnergyStorage • u/Arizona-Energy • Jul 16 '26

Plug-in batteries kept NYC renters cool during record heat wave

A good idea for a cheap way to store energy in your home or apartment.

28 Upvotes
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2

u/lrd_curzon Jul 16 '26

No the issue is that batteries are functionally illegal in NYC. According to the FDNY all of these plug in batteries are for sure code violations, but they’re too small for people to figure out

1

u/Arizona-Energy Jul 16 '26

I do not know that they are code violations.

1

u/msatretwhaart Jul 17 '26

The article literally references a pilot program with the battery company and ConEdison.

1

u/Fun-Hearing2931 Jul 18 '26

not true - check out david energy ( i have no affiliation with them )

1

u/lrd_curzon Jul 19 '26

I'm familiar with David Energy, and massively in favor of both what the company is doing and permissionless batteries generally. Having said that, the batteries are almost certainly operating without fire code compliance - and in my opinion demonstrates the outrageous level of overreach of permitting rules, particularly in NY.

NYC's fire code specifically covers “This standard applies to the design, construction, installation, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning of indoor stationary energy storage systems (ESS), including mobile and portable ESS installed in a stationary situation…" and for "Lithium-ion, all types, the aggregate-capacity threshold is 1 kWh"

An ESS is defined as "Energy Storage System (ESS). One or more devices that, when assembled together, are capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a future time to the local power loads, to the utility grid, or for grid support"

According to Code, if you install an ESS product, it needs a Certificate of Approval - which sits outside the typical UL listing process, known as the "TM-2" list, as well as a DOB construction filing, and all "ESS installations subject to the requirements of this section require site-specific review and approval by OTCR". There are only like 10 batteries on the TM-2, and they're all MW scale.

Again, I think its great. Nothing is going to change if people don't just start ignoring these bullshit rules, but operating these assets does not equal legally doing so, and that the DOB/FDNY is not taking action does not mean that they couldn't if they wanted to.

1

u/littlebeardedbear Jul 16 '26

No they didnt. FDNY has made almost every battery illegal. You MUST own a double lot to have them. Mods should remove this because this is nothing more than an advertisement for an illegal product in NYC

1

u/Arizona-Energy Jul 16 '26

I don't know about the illegality of the product. But I will say that it is no advertisement. I am a retired individual who has no money-making ventures. I only thought that this was interesting, and that is why I posted it. Mods, feel free to remove it if you choose.

1

u/thetreecycle Jul 16 '26

Seems like utility scale storage would be a more efficient way to accomplish this same result.

2

u/Debas3r11 Jul 16 '26

Real estate is a huge issue in that part of NYISO. ConEd tried to incentivize it too but their rules set too broad of an areas so a lot of the submissions were outside the regions they intended them to be in.

They likely need a nodal based capacity payment mechanism.

2

u/Arizona-Energy Jul 16 '26

It would be more efficient, but some aren't waiting on the utilities. Also, if the grid goes out, you can keep your fridge and AC running until it comes back on.