Base Power Launches Austin Energy Partnership to Provide Home Battery Backup During Outage
AUSTIN, Texas — Heavy rains triggered dangerous flooding across Central Texas this week, leaving some neighborhoods without electricity. As severe weather becomes more common, an Austin startup believes it has a better way to keep homes powered when the grid goes down.
Base Power has launched a new partnership with Austin Energy that combines home battery backup with technology designed to strengthen the electric grid.
For Austin homeowner David Young, the timing couldn’t be better.
“We lost power at least three of the last four ice storms,” Young said.
Rather than relying on a portable generator, Young became one of the first Austin Energy customers to install a Base Power home battery system.
“They came out, installed these two boxes, connected everything to our existing electrical panel, installed the battery, and turned it on,” Young explained.
Inspired by Winter Storm Uri
Base Power co-founder and CEO Zach Dell said the idea grew out of the widespread outages during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, when millions of Texans lost power, and some families went days without electricity.
“It’s a resiliency tool for homeowners and Austin Energy,” Dell said.
During an outage—whether it’s caused by severe weather, a fallen tree, a vehicle striking a utility pole, or even an animal damaging equipment—the battery automatically takes over in a fraction of a second, keeping the home powered without the noise or fuel requirements of a traditional generator.
The system can provide enough backup electricity to keep most homes running for roughly one to two days, depending on energy usage.
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More Than a Backup Battery
What makes Base Power different isn’t just the battery—it’s how it’s used every day.
Traditional home battery systems can cost homeowners $20,000 to $30,000 upfront. Instead, Base Power installs and owns the battery.
Homeowners pay $695 for installation and $19 per month.
While the electric grid is operating normally, Austin Energy can use thousands of connected Base Power batteries as a “virtual power plant.” By drawing small amounts of stored energy from participating homes, the utility can better manage electricity demand across the city.
If the power goes out, the battery immediately switches from supporting the grid to powering the home.
Peace of Mind
For Young, the biggest benefit isn’t the technology—it’s knowing his family can stay home during the next outage.
“We’ve had power outages from ice storms, trees falling—you name it,” Young said. “It gives me peace of mind. I can go to sleep at night without worrying about finding a hotel room for my wife and kids.”
With severe storms becoming a regular part of life in Central Texas, Base Power hopes its partnership with Austin Energy will help more homeowners keep the lights on when the next outage arrives.