Innovation Center
The Innovation Center
This expansive facility features a variety of displays and working demonstrations for businesses and building operators, allowing you to discover energy saving solutions. The center is used to highlight the latest in electric technology using working models for classroom instruction and facility tours.
To sign up for classes and tours, visit www.sce.com/energycenters or call
Visit the Energy Center in Irwindale for demonstrations of these technologies:
- Compressed Air Systems and Compressors
- Variable Speed Drives
- Heat Pump Demonstrator
- Chilled Water and Variable Air Volume Systems
- Split System Trainer
- Indoor Street Light Display
- Solar Powered Street Light
- LED High Bay Lighting
- T-5 High Output Fluorescent Fixtures
- Water Pumping
- Daylight Tracking System
- Photovoltaics
- Energy Management System
- Thermal Energy Storage System
- High Volume – Low Speed Fan
- Fan Wheels
Compressed Air Systems and Compressors
Industrial customers can learn about the advantages and cost savings of operating efficient compressed air systems instead of typical less efficient systems. You can gain an understanding of how to use equipment properly and detect leaks. Take advantage of our Tool Lending Library by borrowing the proper equipment to help detect leaks, and learn about other devices to help you with energy efficiency.
This working display demonstrates the energy efficiencies associated with a variable-speed screw compressor. Normal screw compressors operate at fixed speeds. In contrast, the variable speed screw compressor accurately varies the compressor’s operating speed to reduce its capacity and its power consumption, so it uses only as much power as is needed to meet current air pressure demand. This delivers the right amount of air pressure, efficiently and economically.
Variable Speed Drives (VSD)
This display compares the energy usage of a standard fan with a motorized damper, to a fan with Variable Speed Drives. Power meters show that energy usage with a VSD is reduced by approximately 87%, while the air volume is reduced by half.
Heat Pump Demonstrator
The Heat Pump Demonstrator shows the principle of heat pump operation. Heat pumps use a refrigerant reversing valve to provide cooling in the summer and heating in the winter. The refrigerant in either vapor or liquid state can be seen inside glass tubes during cooling and heating modes. The Heat Pump Demonstrator is metered for volts, amps and watts, and has temperature and pressure gauges to determine proper operating values.
Chilled Water and Variable Air Volume (VAV) Systems
The Innovation Center houses a fully-operational, hands-on Chilled Water and VAV system. It includes a two-stage chiller, cooling tower, air handling unit, economizer with energy recovery heat pipe, variable air volume air distribution with re-heat, and water pumps with variable speed drives to demonstrate efficient operation.
Split System Trainer
The Split System Trainer is a heat pump training model that demonstrates how a split system heat pump and air conditioning system works. Heat pumps save money, since they are typically three times more energy-efficient than electric resistant heating systems.
Indoor Street Light Display
This hands-on working display demonstrates the latest energy-efficient street lighting technologies, and compares Light Emitting Diodes, Magnetic Induction Fluorescents, and High-Pressure Sodium.
Solar Powered Street Light
(located outdoors adjacent to the Innovation Center)
Solar panels absorb the sun’s rays, even on overcast days – converting them to electricity. The electricity is stored in batteries. At night, the energy is used to power the self-contained lighting system. This type of system can be installed wherever there is good sun exposure. Its’ operation not only saves energy and money by using solar technology, but it can also be less costly to install than traditionally-powered streetlights.
LED High Bay Lighting
Each LED fixture contains 120 LED lamps using a total of 162 watts – that’s 44% less energy usage than a metal halide with comparable light output. LEDs have an expected life of 60,000 plus hours of operation for optimal efficiency.
T-5 High Output Fluorescent Fixtures
T-5 High Output fluorescent fixtures have 95% fixture efficiency, with an instant start. Motion sensors can be attached for bi-level configuration capability. T-5s deliver 19,000 lumens from 228 watts per four-lamp fixture.
Water Pumping
The pumping display demonstrates efficient pumping systems, variable-speed drives (VSD), well testing, and effective water system management to maintain pumping system efficiency and minimize energy use.
Daylight Tracking System
The Daylight Tracking System uses solar tracking mirrors to increase the sunlight directed into the building in the early morning and late evening. This system enhances industrial skylights by reducing your daytime lighting energy usage for a longer period. The skylight also has a reflective light well that increases the amount of diffused light entering the room.
Photovoltaics
The photovoltaic system is a working model at the Irwindale Energy Center. It includes two four-kW solar panel arrays on the roof of the main building, and an inverter used to power the solar DC into usable AC power with a battery storage system for backup.
Energy Management System
This display is an actual working Energy Management System (EMS) for the Irwindale Energy Center. The EMS is a centralized, computer-based system that monitors and controls the building’s Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and energy use. This creates an intelligent building and reduces energy and maintenance costs.
Thermal Energy Storage System
(located outdoors adjacent to the Innovation Center)
The Thermal Energy Storage unit is part of a packaged air conditioning system that makes ice at night when energy demand is lower, and circulates refrigerant through the ice during the day to cool the area. Thermal Energy Storage can qualify for the Permanent Load Shift program and is applicable to customers who are on a time-of-use rate structure.
High Volume — Low Speed Fan
The High Volume/Low Speed fan is an efficient way to circulate air in large industrial and warehouse buildings, making the area much cooler. One
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