USA — Carrier Global Corp. has launched the largest field trial in its 123-year history, testing battery-enabled HVAC systems across diverse U.S. regions in partnership with utilities and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
The trial is designed to assess how combining variable-speed heat pumps with battery storage can transform residential HVAC systems from passive energy consumers into active grid resources. By shifting power consumption from peak to off-peak hours and supporting renewable integration, Carrier aims to demonstrate how HVAC systems can play a direct role in strengthening grid resilience.
How It Works
The next-generation Home Energy Management System (HEMS) integrates smart batteries with HVAC units to:
- Shift load: store energy during off-peak periods and use it during peak demand.
- Maintain comfort: deliver cooling even when grid stress is highest.
- Support renewables: optimize charging during periods of solar and wind availability.
- Enable demand response: provide flexible load capacity to help utilities avoid costly infrastructure upgrades.
Market Potential
Carrier estimates its U.S. residential installed base includes more than 30 million HVAC units, representing about 100 gigawatts of potential flexible load—roughly 10% of total U.S. peak demand. This scale, if harnessed, could substantially aid utilities in deferring capital expenditures while advancing the shift to clean energy.
Strategic Significance
With utilities under pressure to decarbonize and stabilize the grid, battery-integrated HVAC technology represents a new frontier in distributed energy resources. Carrier’s trial results, informed by EPRI data, will shape the company’s strategy for residential energy management and provide insights into the commercial viability of large-scale adoption.
The field trial underscores Carrier’s effort to position itself not only as a global HVAC leader but also as a partner in the energy transition, aligning heating and cooling technology with the future of smart grids and renewable integration.
