Georgia Power, the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company, and homebuilding company PulteGroup announced the opening of what it claims to be Atlanta’s first Smart Neighborhood.
Leaders from Georgia Power, PulteGroup, the Georgia Public Service Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, City of Atlanta and the project’s technology partners joined together to officially open the neighborhood at PulteGroup’s development in Atlanta’s Upper West Side.
“The Smart Neighborhood will allow Georgia Power to continue to be at the forefront in offering innovative solutions that help our customers more efficiently manage their energy usage,” said Paul Bowers, chairman, president and CEO for Georgia Power. “The research, insights and learnings we receive from these homes will help us better understand the interactions between rooftop solar, in-home battery storage, energy efficiency measures and our electric grid – maximizing the value of renewable energy and shaping how we grow our smart home offerings for customers.”
The first 46 townhomes developed at Altus at the Quarter will be a part of the Georgia Power Smart Neighborhood, where each home will be served by Georgia Power and supplemented by rooftop solar installations and in-home battery energy storage.
The homes will feature Pulte’s Hutton and Summerford floor plans. The four-story townhomes span 2,800 sq. ft. and feature three to four bedrooms and a two-car garage. They will be equipped with energy technologies such as optimal insulation for maximum efficiency, advanced heating and cooling systems, LED lighting, electric vehicle chargers, and home automation featuring smart thermostats, smart locks, smart light switches, smart outlets, outdoor cameras and voice control.
“In developing Atlanta’s first Smart Neighborhood, we are further demonstrating our commitment to product innovation and sustainable building practices,” said PulteGroup President and Chief Executive Officer Ryan Marshall.
The main features in the Georgia Power Smart Neighborhood home include:
-Mini Split (Lennox) – This HVAC system features high efficiency heating and cooling for the smart homes.
-Puck, (Flair)– This smart thermostat integrates with the mini split to easily adjust the temperature of the top level of the homes.
-Water Heater, (A. O. Smith) – The Voltex heat pump water heater will be able to connect to the homeowner’s energy management platform to be used as a thermal energy storage device.
-Home Control Panel, (Vivint Smart Home) – The panel lets users control many of the connected products in a Smart Neighborhood home, including arming and disarming the security system.
-ecobee4 Thermostat, (ecobee)– With room sensors, homeowners can manage hot or cold spots, and with built-in Amazon Alexa Voice Service, homeowners can even ask it to order groceries or read the news.
-Video Doorbell, (Vivint Smart Home) – The video doorbell alerts you to visitors and lets you see and speak with anyone at your door from anywhere.
-Smart Locks, (Vivint Smart Home) – Smart locks can automatically lock up at night or when you leave and let you give keyless access to family and guests.
-Smart Outlets, (Vivint Smart Home) – Smart outlets allow you to remotely control and schedule your outlets from anywhere for added convenience and energy savings.
-Battery Energy Storage System, (LG Chem) – The two in-home battery storage systems store electric energy for later consumption.
-Battery and Solar Controller, (Delta Electronics) – The controller platform will enable the LG Chem battery energy storage system by forecasting and scheduling operations to automate energy bill savings.
-Solar Panels, (installed by Hannah Solar) – The rooftop solar panels will supplement the grid to power the homes. The panels will produce approximately one-third of the homeowner’s annual energy usage.
“The Georgia Power Smart Neighborhood at Altus at the Quarter is an example of the future of American energy and innovation. This project leverages the resources of the public sector with the ingenuity and nimbleness of the private sector. It relies on cutting-edge technology that enhances energy efficiency,” said Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes.
