Southern California Edison Unveils New Smart Energy Center

“The Smart Energy Experience is a valuable educational resource for customers,” said Theodore F. Craver Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Edison International. “Edison is an industry leader in developing advanced technologies, promoting electric transportation readiness and in providing power generated from renewable resources. With our 125-year history of innovation, we are committed to providing customers with safe, reliable and affordable electricity.”

“This exhibit demonstrates how new technology will help families keep their energy costs low,” said Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-Calif.), who represents the district in which the Smart Energy Experience is located. “The green economy is the future and I’m proud area businesses like Southern California Edison are leading the nation’s investment in it.”

The Smart Energy Experience features current and future technologies for energy distribution and consumption. The exhibit demonstrates smart grid technologies that have been researched and developed by SCE, which will improve the reliability of the electric grid. Animation of a neighborhood electric circuit visually depicts a power outage caused by a simulated lightning strike, showing how smart grid technology will reduce the length and number of customers affected by power outages in the future.

Other demonstrations at the center show how various components of smart grid technology will empower customers to more precisely manage their energy use and reduce their carbon footprint through the use of smart energy devices, plug-in electric vehicles and distributed energy resources at customers’ premises.

“The Smart Energy Experience is a hands-on exhibit that will enable our customers to learn about the new tools and technologies that we are developing and introducing,” said John R. Fielder, president of SCE. “We look forward to providing our customers with additional information and knowledge that will enable them to make choices that will help them save energy, money and the environment.”

Located in Irwindale, Calif., the Smart Energy Experience features 2,260-square-feet of exhibit space. 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.

www.sce.com/