tech
February 12, 2026
‘People like cheap energy’: the bagel shop saving money and emissions with plug-in batteries
A pilot scheme in Brooklyn is giving businesses batteries to form an electricity storage network – part of a growing number of innovative DIY energy ideas around the world
TL;DR
- A pilot scheme in Brooklyn is giving businesses free batteries to form an electricity storage network.
- Businesses like Black Seed Bagels use batteries to reduce peak grid power usage, lowering demand charges on utility bills.
- David Energy's software platform controls when the batteries power appliances, aiming to reduce costs, especially during peak demand times.
- The program has the potential to save businesses significant money, with an estimated $80 saving per shop per month potentially adding up to $10,000 annually for Black Seed.
- This initiative is part of a global trend in DIY energy technologies, with similar ideas like plug-in balcony solar systems gaining popularity elsewhere.
- David Energy aims to recoup costs through customer savings and by participating in demand-response programs, contributing to their goal of running the grid on clean energy.
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