The smart, sustainable neighborhood

Abstract

Study level/applicability Applicable to both undergraduate and graduate courses in managing technology or sustainability. Subject area Technology strategy. Business Model evaluation. Sustainable technologies. Case overview In this case study, gas and electric utility holding company Southern Company has embarked on an ambitious experiment to learn more about energy usage at a household level, as well as community scale microgrids. Every minute, 62 homes in Reynolds Landing upload appliance and electrical outlet level data to Southern Company. How can Southern Company use this vast amount of data to promote energy efficiency? Are microgrids a key to creating a more sustainable and resilient energy future? At a higher level, how can microgrids impact or change traditional power generation business models like those used by Southern Company? Expected learning outcomes 1. To explore why companies develop technologies that are counter to current business models. 2. To understand how new technology can lead to new business models for existing businesses. 3. To understand the drivers of company led R&D. 4. To discuss “technology push” applications. Where technology is developed and then a market or markets are sought. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Social implications Two parts here. The first is looking at sustainable energy solutions such as solar farms and micro-grids. The second is this case challenges students to ask how this research helps the 45% of consumers making less than $40,000/yr. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.