Southern California Edison Unveils New Smart Energy Center

As stated before, the purpose of this creative project is to present an educational pathway that is designed to promote an increase in energy literacy.  The outcomes of this project will serve as a reference for other educators who seek a way to increase energy literacy in others.  It is recognized, though, that knowledge, while powerful, does not necessarily illicit a change in attitude and/or behavior.  This creative project proposes the use of experiential learning activities as the primary avenue for promoting these desired changes.  Experiential learning is very different from traditional, didactic instruction; experiential learning differentiates itself from classical instruction (wherein the teacher is viewed as the source of all knowledge) by allowing students to learn through prescribed excises and experiences (Neill, J., 2005).  

A key element of this project is the field trips that we will be taking with the summer success academy students. From our location at the University of Redlands, there are several renewable energy sites that we will be visiting.  In addition, we are making a trip to Southern California Edison's site in Irwindale.  At this location, we will go on a tour of the "home of the future." 

From a recent press release, "Designed to look like a typical Southern California home, the center includes a full kitchen with smart, energy-efficient appliances, a living room with a smart thermostat, laundry area and garage with a plug-in electric vehicle. The residence is equipped with a home area network, demonstrating how smart appliances work with a home’s smart electric meter through secure, two-way wireless communications. The home also features smart energy devices that monitor real-time power usage, providing the ability for consumers to observe the immediate increase and decrease in power usage when certain appliances are turned on or off. The site includes a mock outdoor area with sidewalk, front lawn, smart electric meter, high-efficiency air conditioner condenser and a light-weight composite power pole" (Southern California Edison, 2012).  See the link below for more details on this site.

References:

Neill, J., (2005).   What is experiential learning?  Retrieved from http://www.wilderdom.com/experiential/ExperientialLearningWhatIs.html

Southern California Edison. (2012).  Southern California Edison Unveils New Smart Energy Center.  Retrieved from http://www.edison.com/pressroom/pr.asp?id=7441