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Exploring New Technologies – Technology Test Centers

At SCE’s Technology Test Centers, engineers and technical specialists lead innovative technology evaluations to support SCE’s Clean Power and Electrification Pathway.

We test a variety of technologies in versatile, controlled environments that mirror real-world conditions and customer experiences. This generates comprehensive performance data and innovative test methods. Our findings are used by SCE customers, policymakers, and utility programs to make informed decisions regarding the investment and application of cleaner technologies.

The results of our technology evaluations and studies can be found at the Emerging Technologies Coordinating Council, Energy Code Ace, and Energy Education Center Classes and Workshops.

 

Technology Test Center History

1996 – Refrigeration Technology Test Center

2002 – Enhanced HVAC Test Capabilities as Refrigeration and Thermal Test Center

2005 – Partnered with UC Davis to form Southern California Lighting Technology Center

Today – Facilities Join Forces as Technology Test Center

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Thermal Suite

Our 3,200 square-foot thermal suite consists of five test chambers, each served by independent heating, cooling, and humidification systems for performing evaluations on supermarket, foodservice, and cold storage refrigeration, packaged and split air conditioning, and more.

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Air Conditioning Test Center

The 292 square-foot indoor test chamber provides thermal conditions typically found in air-conditioned spaces of residential and commercial buildings. In our 250 square-foot outdoor test chamber, we replicate outdoor weather conditions to evaluate how air-conditioning units respond under realistic climatic conditions, at temperatures as high as 130ºF.

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Refrigeration Test Center

We use a 300 square-foot controlled environment to test refrigeration equipment. Our 90 square-foot test chamber can maintain temperatures as low as -40ºF, and our 120 square-foot calorimetric test chamber evaluates appliances and refrigeration equipment.

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Lighting Test Center

The lighting area is equipped with two integrating spheres for measuring the photometric, electrical, and thermal characteristics of lamps and lighting fixtures. Our dark room is a low-light, low-reflectance environment for isolated photometric, electrical, and thermal evaluation of lighting fixtures, signs, menu boards, and displays.

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Appliance and Plug-Load Laboratory

This area is for testing appliances, plug loads, and electronics devices, with a focus on measuring plug load energy consumption, power quality, and controllability. These evaluations quantify the energy efficiency and demand reduction potential of new technologies and measures.

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Demand Response Laboratory

In this laboratory, we evaluate demand-responsive end-use technologies – thermostats, advanced lighting controls, pool pumps, and more. We test these strategies in a low-risk setting, in response to utility demand response signals for balancing grid energy supply and demand.

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