Learning with smart grids: an implementation proposal for Uruguay

The Uruguayan electric system will reach 1.160 MW of total power installed from wind farm and solar photo voltaic plants resulting in a penetration factor of 28% in solar and wind energy. Demand-response technology gives significant benefits in systems with high levels of penetration of renewable resources. We have developed a smart-grid concept adapted to the technology available in Uruguay —using the national deploy of One Laptop Per Child program—, in order to teach and implement demand-response system. We have developed a device that focuses on a smart-grid teaching concept that gives students the opportunity to choose when to consume power, suggesting that they do it when a renewable source is able to generate the energy in the grid. For a demand-response system to have significant impact on the electric grid system, citizens must behave responsibly, so teaching children (and their families) how the system works provides an opportunity to enhance the introduce of a national demand-response system. The didactic tool, named aty arandu, was developed as a plug-in for Turtle Bots software, allowing students to explore and learn about energy sources and the responsible use of them. We postulate that students who are in control of their learning are more effective learners [11].