The first all-electric community powered by a solar and battery microgrid launches in California
In November 2022, homebuilder KB Homes announced that it had established what it calls the first all-electric, solar-and-battery-powered microgridcommunity in California. KB partnered with the US Department of Energy (DOE), SunPower, Schneider Electric, and Kia, among others, to test the energy-efficient homes at several of its new communities. The all-electric, solar-and-battery-powered micro-communities are located at Oak Shade and Durango, part of KB Homes Shadow Mountain master plan in Menifee. The houses involved in these communities are equipped with backup battery storage, bidirectional electric vehicle chargingcapabilities, and perhaps most importantly, are interconnected, creating a resilient energy network. Combined, these technologies establish a self-supporting energy network capable of powering a neighborhood during a power outage.
Localizing the energy grid and energy production will be essential in making energy usage more stable and sustainable. California underwent a heat wave in September 2022, and only narrowly avoided rolling blackouts. The cause? Changing weather and demand patterns – these changes are likely here to stay.
Dan Bridleman, senior VP of sustainability at KB Homes, told Bloomberg Green, "we felt like there was probably an affordable way to build resiliency, not only at the house level but also into the community”. The model home of this new community has 2,906 square feet of living space and costs USD 577,990 – hardly affordable! But it could be a starting point for micro-grids becoming a standard and their implementation becoming more efficient and attainable for lower-income households.
Until that is possible, there's an opportunity for brands to help individual households become more energy resilient. We've already seen examples like the Sunne self-powering lamp, Tado's smart thermostat that heats a home when prices are lowest, or Ecowatt, who supply energy forecasts to France's national television channels.
Consumer tribes that may relate to this case study:
Digital Anthropology Bot
Digital Anthropology Bot
