Emera Inc. subsidiary Emera Technologies LLC launched its new utility-owned residential energy system called BlockEnergy.

BlockEnergy is a modular, turnkey power system that capitalizes on battery storage, power electronics and the lowering cost of renewables, according to an Oct. 22 news release. Combined, these innovations form the first utility-focused business model for rate-based, distributed energy to be owned and operated as a utility asset.

Operating as a mesh network, BlockEnergy puts new homes on resilient, renewable energy at the community level in loops of up to 50 homes at a time. As communities grow, BlockEnergy neighborhoods will be linked together, leaving no stranded assets, the company said.

"BlockEnergy is an innovative solution for utilities to drive the adoption of distributed energy resources to incorporate more renewables while optimizing system efficiency and managing affordability for customers," Emera Technologies CEO Rob Bennett said.

Emera Technologies has partnered with Lennar Homes LLC and Metro Development Group LLC for the Medley subdivision within the Southshore Bay master-planned community in Tampa, Fla. It consists of 40 new Lennar homes, all powered by BlockEnergy, marking the first residential deployment of its platform in the U.S.

Furthermore, BlockEnergy will be unveiled community-wide in the new Medley at Southshore Bay community in Florida in 2021.