LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Center for Energy Research, in partnership with Pulte Homes and NV Energy, received approximately $7 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a demonstration project - a community of homes - that combine energy efficient features and smart grid technology to cut residential energy usage by more than half. The successful demonstration on a community-wide level will represent the future of sustainable communities in the Southwest.

Continued population growth in the Desert Southwest has led to a strain on the region's electrical grids, resulting in higher residential energy costs and in some cases electricity overloads and blackouts. Villa Trieste, a 185-home community in Las Vegas, aims to reduce this strain by more than 65 percent.

Reducing Peak Energy Demand

Energy demand in Southern Nevada peaks during the heat of the summer months. To reduce this peak energy demand, Villa Trieste features four model homes and five floor plans, each combining built and technological innovations.

Energy Efficient Construction

• Roof-integrated solar power system that blends seamlessly with roofing materials
• Energy Efficient lighting and appliances; LEED Residential Certification pending
• Certified by Environments For Living - a turnkey program that helps builders construct durable and efficient homes with improved ventilation, thermal systems, HVAC equipment, air pressure balancing, and water conservation measures

Advanced Metering and Distributed Generation

• Advanced meters provide real-time energy use data with communication between home, homeowner and utility - reducing meter errors, isolating outages and saving costs
• Centralized battery storage at the substation level will draw energy from homes during off-peak hours for use during peak periods, when grid is taxed
• Generated solar power will reduce electricity drawn from the electrical grid

Consumer Gateway

• Demand response encourages reduced energy use by allowing utilities to adjust energy output to the home and high-use appliances when needed during peak hours
• Improves electrical grid reliability and homeowners receive financial incentives relative to level of participation

Affordable Efficiency

Energy researchers, home builders and energy managers have combined to develop what will be both the most advanced approach to energy cost-saving in residences in the Desert Southwest as well as an affordable option for green-conscious consumers. Villa Trieste's approximately 185 homes, ranging from 1,487 to 1,960 sq. ft., are priced from the $200s and are currently under development. After the first homes are sold, research will continue with the goal to reduce peak energy consumption by more than 65 percent compared to a typical new development:

• UNLV Researchers will monitor home performance against simulation models and modify as necessary to achieve maximum efficiency
• Photovoltaic (solar) system performance will be monitored and adjusted to achieve peak demand offset
• Homes with varying technologies will be compared for performance characteristics

Project Partners

UNLV Center for Energy Research

Principal Investigator - Robert F. Boehm, Distinguished Professor of Engineering, UNLV
Media Contact - Tony Allen, UNLV Office of Public Affairs
(702) 895-0893; tony.allen@unlv.edu

Pulte Homes

Project Co-Director - Walter Cuculic, Director of Strategic Marketing, Pulte Homes
Media Contact: Jacque Petroulakis, Public Affairs/Corporate Communications, Pulte Homes
(480) 391-6169; Jacque.petroulakis@pulte.com

NV Energy

Project Co-Director - Michael Brown, Project Manager of Demand Response, NV Energy
Media Contact: Chelsie Campbell, Media Relations Representative, NV Energy
(702) 402-5252; ccampbell@nvenergy.com