Innovative customized net-zero community, Green Key Village, selects Ekotrope for cost and energy efficiency planning
Green Key Village Florida community trusts MIT-developed construction analysis technology to maximize energy and cost efficiencies while meeting regulations and setting new standards for buyer-specified builds
Cambridge, MA and Lady Lake, FL – April 30, 2013
Ekotrope, a leading developer of software for analyzing and designing energy-efficient buildings, has been selected by Green Key Village, the developer of a fully-sustainable new Florida subdivision for the construction of 145 net-zero homes, each selected and customized to fit the specifications of the individual home buyer. The Green Key Village venture is creating a sustainable community in Lady Lake, Florida, comprising 145 eco-friendly homes available in ten customizable floor plans. Each home and design will be fully sustainable as defined and certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) and the Home Energy Rating System (HERS). Buildings will be unique to each homeowner, who will be able to choose all aspects of their home from the geometry and build upwards. All the homes will include the most energy efficient design and technology, considering the individual home’s build, geometry and design as well as specific location. Features include solar panels, sustainable materials and net-zero energy build.
Green Key Village’s biggest challenge was to find a means to understand and analyze every individual aspect of its 145 home community to ensure that each development could be customized, and result in a net-zero energy status at a cost-effective price. Ekotrope’s software suite is based on an advanced algorithm, developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that allows developers, builders and design-build firms to analyze energy-efficient and cost-effective configurations of different building envelopes, heating and cooling systems. By analyzing entire systems and comparing different configurations, the developers of Green Key Village can find the sweet spots that save maximum energy, lower operating costs, and provide the greatest returns on investment.Greg Thomas, Managing Member for Green Key Village, LLC, said: “When embarking on this new development it was crucial for us to fully understand all of the cost, energy and sustainability build options available to us in detail. For each individual design plan, this meant considering more than 10,000 unique variables. We also want our buyers to be able to choose from ten different, fully-sustainable designs.
That’s why we chose Ekotrope – the software is amazingly sophisticated but easy-to-use, enabling us to intuitively review and compare a wide array of build and material options.”CEO and founder of Ekotrope, Ziv Rozenblum, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Green Key Village on this unique building development, and know that our technology is the best fit for its exact need. We enable developers such as Green Key Village to design the best buildings in the most cost-efficient way. With Ekotrope, thousands of cost and energy-efficient design options can be evaluated in seconds, enabling developers to work within budget and to easily visualize and calculate the best sets of building components to meet their goals.”For more information regarding Ekotrope’s software product suite please visit www.ekotrope.com.
About Ekotrope Inc.
Ekotrope Inc. is the developer of Ekotrope (formerly HomeSEED), unique software for analyzing, managing and designing energy-efficient buildings while optimizing energy and cost analysis, adhering to strict regulations and meeting certifications.Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, Ekotrope’s optimization engine was designed by MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics Professor Edward F. Crawley, following his search for a solution that would provide practical help in designing an energy efficient home. In 2010, Crawley could not find an existing solution for his architect to easily analyze component trade-offs to find the best energy and investment combination. He drew on NASA technology and assembled a select group of industry experts to come up with the Ekotrope solution.Today, Ekotrope’s flagship software is trusted by architects, energy analysts, builders, subcontractors and consumers to visualize and compare opportunities to reduce energy costs.
About Green Key Village
Green Key Village, LLC, is the developer of a gated residential single family community featuring 145 planned home sites on 78 acres of beautiful Central Florida countryside. Green Key Village is committed to blending “Old Florida Charm” with “New Green Living” by providing the perfect combination of comfort, efficiency, and sustainability in their new homes. Situated just minutes from The Villages, Green Key Village offers a superior location with easy access to the best of Florida. Models will be available to view in late August. Please visit the Green Key Village website for a complete listing of lots and home plans.
Ekotrope is a trademark of Ekotrope, IncMedia contacts:Jackie Fraser or Brooke WenrickPrompt Communications on behalf of EkotropeTel: 617 401 2717 | ekotrope@prompt-communications.com