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The BlockEnergy Smart Platform is a utility-focused, front-of-the-meter, DC, distributed renewable energy platform for new communities. It is comprised of a simple kit of parts, able to be installed by local utilities as a capital asset to deliver advanced, secure and resilient power.
Published November 24, 2020
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Updated January 30, 2023
Industrial Decarbonization
Power & Utilities
Distributed Energy Resources
Innovative Processes
Product Overview
Overview
BlockEnergy was founded in 2019 as part of Emera Technologies. The company provides residential microgrid solutions but is designed for utilities to have an active role in operations and management which is something not seen in other innovators in the space sometimes seen as direct competitors.
The company's product offering is a turnkey power system that leverages battery storage, power electronics and renewables. In combination, they provide a microgrid system for the residential sector that is one of the first utility-focused business models for rate-based and distributed energy to be owned and operated as a utility asset. The technology created results in a flexible, scalable, distributed power platform that's able to interoperate with the grid.
Each BlockEnergy BlockBox sits beside the home and will be custom color-matched to the main, exterior wall so it sits naturally within the residential neighborhood and when aggregating other nearby deployments can create a community microgrid.
Business Model
The BlockEnergy platform is designed to enable utilities to rate base renewables and resiliency at current rates.
Technology Innovations
Operating as a distributed energy platform, BlockEnergy provides resilient, renewable energy at the community level in loops of up to 50 homes at a time. As communities grow, BlockEnergy neighborhoods are linked together. An advanced control platform and algorithms are used to optimize the movement of energy around the system.
Distributed storage (at each home) results in ultimate resiliency and no single point of failure.
The entire system is owned by the utility, which results in a favorable return on assets, preventing grid erosion or customer defection.
Applications
BlockEnergy is an innovative solution that allows utilities to own DERs and incorporate more renewables while optimizing system efficiency and managing affordability for customers. This technology is an independent, community-level solution based primarily on solar energy.
The company goes beyond the needs of one home to a greater vision by serving the needs of a community, powered by a modular, highly renewable power platform.