Tampa Electric Pilots a “World-Changing Idea”

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How boxes of sunshine will power a local neighborhood.

While residents of Medley at Southshore Bay soak up the sun at their community’s 5.5-acre lagoon, a portion of homes in the neighborhood will also catch some very beneficial rays. The south Hillsborough County community is the first in the country to pilot the revolutionary BlockEnergy system in a residential setting. BlockEnergy serves up safe, clean and reliable energy, powered by the bright Florida sunshine.

We’re proud to say that Emera Technologies, sister company to Tampa Electric, developed the innovative system that was recognized as a “world-changing idea” in the Fast Company magazine’s 2021 World Changing Idea Awards. BlockEnergy was a finalist in the Energy category and received an honorable mention in the Best World Changing Idea North America category.

“The projects we honor in the Worl Changing Ideas Awards are more important than ever,” said Stephanie Mehta, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “We’re proud to support the bold ideas you’re working on.”

The BlockEnergy system consists of solar and energy storage at each home, and additional energy storage and generation located at a community energy park, called a microgrid. Homeowners will benefit from several layers of energy assurance – no back-up home generators needed. The system requires no homeowner maintenance or additional fees.

The result? A smart, solar-powered energy solution that is future-ready and can grow as our communities grow. The Medley Bay pilot program includes 37 Lennar homes, some of which are still in the sales or construction phase.

UPDATE:
In November 2021, the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies – the electric utility industry’s longest-serving and pre-eminent association of leading operations experts – awarded Tampa Electric its 2021 Top 10 Achievement Award for the microgrid pilot project.

“BlockEnergy exemplifies the innovative thinking we need as an industry to achieve a modern grid,” said the association’s CEO.

Learn more at www.tampaelectric.com/microgrid or www.blockenergy.com

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