Battery-Powered Stoves May Be in Our Future

Cars that run on batteries are now pretty common. Don't be too surprised if the same shift eventually takes place with our kitchen stoves, which would double as mini power plants in the kitchen. In a Washington Post column, climate reporter Michael J. Coren looks at this emerging class of appliances, which primarily consist at the moment of induction stoves from startups such as Impulse Labs and Copper. "Yet, within a few years, water heaters, dryers, and heat pumps may all come with batteries included that store electricity and talk to the grid," writes Coren. If it all comes to be, the grid may be quietly supported by these everyday devices.

The stoves pack several kilowatt-hours of storage, drawing cheap, clean power when it's abundant and discharging when electricity is pricey or the grid is stressed. Because the batteries deliver extra oomph, the stoves can plug into standard 120-volt outlets, avoiding costly panel upgrades. Utilities could eventually pay to tap those batteries during peak demand. The catch: price (about $6,000-$7,000) and unproven brands, among other things. "For now, these new stovetops are still a novelty," writes Coren. "If the concept proves its worth, the idea of appliances that power themselves—and the rest of the grid—may just be the way homes work." Read the full piece.