I pride myself on striving to think systems-of-systems, seeking to understand co-benefits and multi-solving along with potential negative impacts. Sometimes, however, I find myself strikingly (and, even, pleasantly) surprised when I fail to do so as was the case when first reading of induction stove-tops with built-in battery systems (about Impulse Labs‘ stovetop). Honestly, as written in a comment there, I found this “quite interesting and innovative” but wondered about the cubic space implications in high-value kitchen real estate (thinking of that very high traffic utensil drawer under my induction stove-top) and the complications of integrating the stove’s battery into a household and, more broadly, into grid and grid services. Legit “systems-of-systems” questions but, even with the evidence staring me in the face, I missed some of the really intriguing reasons why this is a power systems-of-systems approach.
In a Volts interview, Channing Street Copper Company‘s chief scientist, Sam Calisch, spoke of how having the battery made their induction stove and oven a plug-and-play into any 110 outlet without a requirement for an electrician for wiring a 220 plug (and, likely, do electrical panel work). One of the core principles of Energy Smart action is “make the better option the easier option”. Even without considering the reality that electricians are seemingly in short supply in every community across the country, removing rewiring from the path toward kitchen electrification is one less barrier to going with an induction stovetop. That this could save $1,000s isn’t insignificant either. And, speaking dollars and cents, that battery is eligible for tax credits above and beyond those the IRA offers for induction stovetops.
Calish highlighted how the ease of installation is playing out in the commercial market. Channing Street, in its initial sales, is selling their stove-top/oven for $6000 (final cost $4200 after battery tax credit + $780 if switching from a gas stove + additional benefits if income qualified). DC’s housing authority has, according to Calish, told them that these — in a systems-of-systems cost analysis — will be price competitive if they can be delivered for $5000 (not sure before or after potential IRA benefits). In other words, for the same price as other options, residents of those units would get a quality induction stove-top along with a four kilowatt hour battery.
That battery is critical to enabling the 110, rather than higher power, plug-in as the battery will supply power for peak loads (such as the few minutes to bring water to a boil or multiple burners on high power at once). That battery will also allow (limited?) cooking amid power outages and, with an outlet on it, allow plugging in other devices (phone/computer charging, lighting, …) during the outage.