http://www.energyefficiencynews.com <p><a rel="external" href="http://www.ge.com">GE</a> has unveiled plans to develop a portfolio of products allowing homeowners and builders to construct zero energy homes.</p> <p>The multinational giant already has a range of products from energy-efficient lighting and appliances to demand response technology, currently under development.</p> <p>But now GE says its plans to add residential power generation technologies like solar photovoltaics and wind turbines.</p> <p>&ldquo;We have a long, trusted relationship with consumers, strong presence with home builders, demand response appliance technology and, the extremely critical, smart grid technology leadership,&rdquo; says James Campbell.</p> <p>The GE net zero energy home range of offerings will cover energy efficient products, energy management products and energy generation/storage products.</p> <p>The company says it wants to be the &ldquo;first manufacturer to offer a full suite of demand response appliances that will work with utility smart meters&rdquo;. Appliances will work with smart metering systems to reduce energy usage and save costs without impacting performance.</p> <p>In the US, appliances, lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) make up over 80% of the electricity consumption of a typical home. According to US federal figures, managing demand better could reduce peak demand 7% in the US.</p> <p>Next year, GE will launch its Home Energy Manager to coordinate all the other technologies in the home to optimise energy usage.</p> <p>The final part of the zero homes jigsaw, microgeneration, will follow after that, in conjunction with GE Energy.</p> <p>For further information:<br /> <a rel="external" href="http://www.ge.com">www.ge.com</a></p> http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/2262/ 2009-07-15T00:00:00-00:00 Bulding, construction, refurbishment, lighting, heating & ventilation, smart meters, regulation & control, zero energy homes, microgeneration, photovoltaics, solar, wind