Viridi and Good Carbon Deploy 3.75 MWh Indoor Battery Storage at Buffalo Affordable Housing

Viridi and Good Carbon Co. have deployed a 3.75 megawatt-hour (MWh) lithium-ion battery energy storage system at Peace Bridge Place, a 105-unit affordable housing building in Buffalo, New York. Announced on 20 October 2026, the installation is described by the companies as one of the largest indoor lithium-ion battery systems operating within an occupied residential building in the United States. The project is designed to provide backup electricity, reduce peak energy demand and help the property participate in programmes that support the local electricity grid.

The installation forms part of a broader energy modernisation strategy at Peace Bridge Place, which includes geothermal heating and cooling, domestic hot water systems and energy-efficient building envelope improvements. Viridi's RPSLinkIN battery system is distributed across seven battery rooms and operates through an intelligent Energy Management System (EMS). The project is also supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and forms part of a National Grid pilot exploring how buildings can provide flexible electricity resources.

 

Indoor Battery Safety Enables Larger Residential Installations

 

Deploying large lithium-ion battery systems inside occupied residential buildings presents significant safety challenges, particularly the risk of thermal runaway. This occurs when a battery cell experiences uncontrolled heating that can spread to neighbouring cells, potentially causing fires or releasing hazardous gases. These risks have historically limited the locations and scale of indoor battery storage installations.

Viridi's RPSLinkIN system incorporates a proprietary Fail-Safe Anti-Propagation architecture designed to prevent thermal runaway from spreading between battery cells. According to the company, UL 9540A testing demonstrated that an intentionally induced cell failure did not propagate to surrounding cells, with no detectable release of heat, sparks, smoke, gas or flames during the test. The system has also received UL 9540 Listing from TÜV Rheinland, providing third-party certification of the energy storage equipment. These results support its safety case, although testing does not eliminate the need for appropriate installation standards, monitoring and emergency procedures.

 

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Battery Storage Supports Peak Demand Management and Grid Flexibility

 

The 3.75 MWh installation uses Viridi's energy management technology to coordinate electricity storage and discharge according to the building's needs and local grid conditions. One function is peak shaving, where the battery automatically supplies electricity when the property's grid demand approaches a predetermined threshold. By limiting peak consumption, the system is intended to reduce demand charges, which can account for a substantial portion of electricity costs at larger buildings.

The system also participates in seasonal demand response through National Grid's distribution network. Utility signals are transmitted through EnergyHub's Edge Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) to Viridi's energy management platform, which coordinates the building's response. During high-demand events, participating residents' smart thermostats can adjust temperatures in advance, allowing heating or cooling demand to fall while the battery supplies electricity. Residents retain the ability to opt out of individual events, providing flexibility while allowing the building to contribute to grid demand management.

 

Affordable Housing Project Targets Energy Cost Savings and Resilience

 

For affordable housing operators, electricity costs can create financial pressure that affects long-term building maintenance and operating budgets. Good Carbon Co. selected Viridi's technology to reduce exposure to peak electricity prices, improve energy management and generate potential revenue through utility demand response programmes. The battery is also designed to provide extended backup power during outages, helping maintain electricity supply for a fully electrified residential property.

Adam Serbert, CEO of Good Carbon Co., said, "Energy is one of the biggest operating costs in multifamily housing, and how you manage it directly affects the long-term performance of a property." He added that the project could create a model for future multifamily developments by combining lower operating costs with stronger energy resilience. However, the companies have not disclosed quantified annual electricity savings, expected demand response revenues or the duration for which the battery can provide backup power. These results will be important in evaluating the project's financial performance and benefits for residents.

 

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New York Pilot Could Support Wider Adoption of Building Energy Storage

 

NYSERDA is supporting Good Carbon through its Future Grid Challenge, while National Grid is using Peace Bridge Place as a pilot for integrating flexible energy technologies into its electricity distribution system. The project will help demonstrate how batteries, building controls and connected heating and cooling equipment can respond to utility signals. Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA, said projects such as Peace Bridge Place demonstrate how energy storage can meet residents' electricity needs while supporting "a more reliable and resilient electric grid."

Viridi also sees the project as a foundation for expanding indoor battery storage across occupied commercial and residential buildings. Its Buffalo manufacturing facility currently has annual production capacity of approximately 400 MWh of battery systems, with space available for future expansion. Jon M. Williams, CEO of Viridi, said, "The bigger opportunity is proving that large-scale lithium-ion storage can be safely integrated into the places where people actually live and work." The deployment provides an example of integrating battery storage into affordable housing, but its wider commercial potential will depend on verified operating savings, long-term safety performance and the ability to replicate the model across other properties.