Duke Energy Florida Installing Residential Battery Storage in 10-Year Grid Optimization Project

Duke Energy Florida is installing Generac battery systems in more than 75 Orlando homes as part of a pilot demand response and distributed energy project.

The utility is launching the battery storage pilot in the Hunter’s Creek neighborhood of Orlando. The participating single-family homes will use the batteries to manage energy use and support the Duke Energy grid during peak demand periods.

The Generac battery systems will serve as backup power deployed during power outages. Under normal conditions, the system remains idle and charges during off-peak hours. Generac Power Systems will be an exhibitor at the upcoming Microgrid Knowledge Conference May 4-6 in Orlando.

“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, in a statement. “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.”

Duke Energy Florida will conduct the pilot study over a 10-year period. Data collected will aid the utility in determining when and how residential battery systems are most effective in reducing grid energy use.

The backup power function can prove extremely useful during system interruptions such as hurricane seasons. The installed battery systems do not cost the homeowners nor impact their utility billing, Duke Energy says.

Duke Energy has experimented with microgrid technologies, as have other Florida utilities, to bolster grid edge resiliency during climate events such as Hurricanes. Duke Energy Florida, in fact, is host utility for the upcoming Microgrid Knowledge Conference in Orlando.

Microgrid Knowledge 2026 will be May 4-6 in the Renaissance Orlando at Seaworld. Registration is open and the conference program is linked here.