Duke Energy Florida has started a new pilot program in the Hunter’s Creek neighborhood of Orlando, focusing on residential battery storage. The project involves installing battery energy storage systems in over 75 single-family homes to help manage electricity use and support the power grid during periods of high demand.
The pilot aims to study how home battery systems can contribute to demand response by releasing stored energy when electricity usage is at its peak. If there is extra stored energy, it may be sent back to the grid.
Each participating home receives a Generac battery system that serves both as backup power during outages and as an energy management device. Normally, the batteries stay idle or charge during off-peak times. In case of a power outage, they automatically supply electricity to the home. On days when energy demand is high, Duke Energy can activate these batteries so they discharge simultaneously for one to three hours, which helps reduce pressure on the electric grid.
“This pilot helps us better understand how home battery systems can support both our customers and the electric system during times of high demand,” said Melissa Seixas, president, Duke Energy Florida. “By learning from this project, we can explore practical ways to use energy more efficiently while continuing to provide reliable service to the communities we serve.”
The program will run for ten years and collect data that will inform future strategies for improving energy efficiency and reducing overall consumption. Homeowners who participate do not have to change their normal habits or worry about changes in their utility bills; the cost of using stored battery power remains the same as regular grid electricity.
Additionally, if there are service interruptions such as those caused by hurricanes, homeowners involved in the pilot will be able to use stored battery power for essential parts of their homes until regular service resumes.
Duke Energy Florida provides electricity across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida and serves 2 million customers with 12,500 megawatts of capacity. Its parent company, Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), supplies power and natural gas across several states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The company has set goals related to upgrading its electric grid and expanding clean generation options such as renewables and energy storage.
More information about Duke Energy’s projects and services can be found at duke-energy.com and through their official social media channels.
