Carrier undertakes HVAC battery test

USA: Carrier has launched the largest field trial in its 123-year history to test battery-enabled HVAC systems across the US.

Carrier is collaborating with multiple utilities and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), an independent, non-profit energy R&D institute, to measure real-world load shifting, demand response, and emissions reduction potential. 

With data delivered from EPRI, the trials – now underway with select homeowners in diverse US climates – are seen as a critical step in evaluating Carrier’s next-generation Home Energy Management System (HEMS). 

By pairing more efficient variable speed heat pumps with battery storage, the technology is designed to transform a home’s HVAC system from a passive energy consumer into an active grid resource.  This would include shifting HVAC energy use from peak to off-peak periods by storing power while energy demand is low and using it when demand increases, maintaining cooling comfort during peak demand in tested conditions, supporting renewable integration by aligning and optimising charging of the battery during periods when renewables are more available, and providing flexible load capacity to help utilities meet demand response needs and help defer costly infrastructure upgrades.

Carrier estimates that its residential footprint comprises more than 30 million HVAC units, creating around 100GW of potential flexible load — equivalent to more than 10% of total US peak demand — which could help utilities defer costly infrastructure upgrades and support renewable integration.