James McGinniss, CEO and co-founder of David Energy and the DER Task Force, is pioneering the use of plug-in distributed energy resources (DERs) to combat rising electricity prices. He believes these small-scale, easy-to-install batteries and solar units, which don't require permits or complex interconnection, are poised to revolutionize the energy grid, potentially scaling to a size even larger than traditional, more complex DERs. The accessibility and affordability of these plug-in options are key to their appeal, especially for small businesses.
David Energy is actively deploying these plug-in batteries to small businesses in New York City. The primary motivation for these businesses is not environmental concerns or resilience, but simply to reduce their electricity bills. McGinniss emphasizes that this business model is booming, proving the market demand for cost-effective energy solutions. This approach challenges the traditional perception of clean energy as a premium product, making it accessible through affordability.
McGinniss's work with plug-in DERs is part of a broader movement towards "permissionless DERs." These systems offer a direct solution to the slow and bureaucratic processes that hinder larger utility-scale and even more complex customer-side renewable projects, which are often bogged down by interconnection queues, permitting hassles, and environmental reviews. By bypassing these obstacles, plug-in DERs offer a faster and more democratic path to energy independence and savings for consumers. This surge in smaller-scale, grid-edge solutions comes as U.S. homeowners also set a record in the first quarter of 2026 for installing 673 megawatts of battery storage, driven by high electricity prices and state incentives, further illustrating a growing trend towards decentralized energy solutions.
