Download American Public Power Association

American Public Power Association
Demonstration of Energy Efficient Developments
(DEED)
Project Final Report
Project Title
Power Bandit TM Safety and Energy Conservation Program
General Overview
The goal of this project is to provide students with information pertaining to the basics of
electricity and natural gas, electrical and natural gas safety and energy conservation in the
form of an animated, interactive CD in an effort to eliminate avoidable safety accidents.
Hence, the problems that the Power Bandit will attempt to solve are the unsafe practices of
students in hazardous situations and the negligent, wasteful usage of our limited
resources.
The need for a safety and energy conservation program is validated and magnified by
information that attributes accidents by the general public relating to utilities and
negligence of our resources to lack of knowledge and awareness of our actions. This
program bridges that gap by providing an interactive CD with a super heroic animated
character, Power Bandit what will educate young students (third through seventh graders)
about the basics of electricity, natural gas and electrical safety, energy conservation and
renewable energy. The CD has flexibility to be used in conjunction with the science
curriculum currently established at schools.
The Power Bandit Interactive CD utilizes a new cartoon like character to teach students
about the basics of electricity and natural gas, electrical safety, natural gas safety and
energy conservation. The goal of this project is achieved through the CD and the printable
supplementary materials available on the CD for teachers.
Purpose
The Power Bandit’s purpose is to provide students with information pertaining to the basics
of electricity and natural gas, electrical and natural gas safety and energy conservation.
This will be accomplished through the utilization of a cartoon-like character that will travel
in the Power Bandit Tracker 2.0. The CD introduction introduces the students to the
Power Bandit, who steals energy through waste and inefficiency. The students are
encouraged to learn about energy – its sources, distribution and safety. Then, through
conservation, the students are encouraged to ‘beat the bandit’ and make the world a more
energy efficient place.
Utility Name and Address
Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division
220 S. Main Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103-3917
Utility Description
Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division (MLGW) provides electricity, water and natural
gas to the City of Memphis and several surrounding counties.
MLGW data for electric customers only as of December 31, 2003.
Residential: Sales: $53,079,412
Customers: 353,721
Commercial: Sales: $45,530,902
Customers: 50,700
Industrial:
Sales: $4,578,116
Customers: 234
Other:
Customers: 16,755
Street Lighting:
# of street lights in service: 90,170
# of leased outdoor lights in service: 37,291
Key Personnel and Contact Information
Juanita Ford
Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division
901.528.4433
Pam Moore
Moore Syndication
205.871.8819
Description
Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division (MLGW) and Moore Syndication (Moore) worked
jointly to develop a new educational compact disc (CD) ‘Power BanditTM Safety and Energy
Conservation Program’ that will teach students about the basics of electricity and natural gas,
electrical safety, natural gas safety and energy conservation. This interactive CD features the
character, Power Bandit. The Power Bandit is strong and bold with the power to steal energy
through waste and inefficiency. Because the Power Bandit is a negative character, it is
preferable that everyone can identify with energy waste or energy hazards and learn to avoid
following the character’s bad behavior.
The CD includes an opening page
(introduction), four applications (games) and
a minimum of four transitional pages. Also
included on the CD will be a Teacher
Resource Guide, Certification of Completion
and supplementary letter for each student’s
caregiver. After the introduction of the Power
Bandit and the student’s mission, the
students will be inside the Power Bandit
Tracker 2.0. To progress pass this point, a
message ‘To Tracker Control’ is displayed.
The students must click on the tracker
located in the middle of console.
Inside Power Bandit Tracker 2.0
After clicking on the console, the students will be able to navigate the Power Bandit Tracker
Control. The Power Bandit Tracker Control screen (see below) has four quadrants. The
quadrants are labeled ‘Get the Basics,’ ‘Use Caution,’ Beat the Bandit’ and ‘Get the Power.’
The students can move the cursor and click on the appropriate quadrant or button to navigate
to the desired area. There are also ‘Info’ and ‘Glossary’ buttons at the bottom of the tracker
control. Clicking on the Info button provides copyright information and access to the Power
Bandit Teacher Resource, a Certificate of Completion for the students and a letter for the
students’ caregiver detailing information conveyed to the students through this project.
Get the Basics
After clicking on the Get the Basics quadrant, the students are given the choice of choosing
five buttons – four launch short movies (‘Basics of Natural Gas,’ ‘Basics of Electrons,’ Basics of
Magnetism,’ and ‘Electricity: Moving Electrons’) and one launches a Basics Quiz. The ‘Play
Basics Quiz’ reviews the information presented in the movies. The movies are narrated by
Professor C, who explains the mysteries of each form of energy in that respective movie. The
movies can be stopped at any time by clicking on the red square. It can be started again by
clicking on the green triangle. The students can quit the movie and go back to ‘Get the Basics’
by clicking on the ‘X’ in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
 Basics of Natural Gas Movie –
Content of this movie include: Natural gas is an important form of energy. It is a fossil fuel
formed from decaying plant and animal life. Natural gas forms deep inside the Earth as
animal and plants were covered by sediments. Coal and petroleum are other types of
fossil fuels. Natural gas is extracted from the ground by drilling deep into the Earth. Once
it is removed, impurities are removed. Natural gas is a flammable and odorless gas called
methane. An odorant, ethyl mercaptan, is added to natural gas so that is can be detected
by smell. Ethyl mercaptan smells like rotten eggs or a skunk. Natural gas is distributed to
the places it is burned through a series of pipes and tanks.
 Basics of Electrons Movie –
Content of this movie include: Ancient Greeks believed that everything was made of tiny
particles which could not be divided. They called these particles atoms. Today, we know
that every element is made of a different type of atom. Atoms can combine to form
everything in the universe – solids, gasses and liquids. Atoms are composed of smaller
particles called protons, neutrons and electrons. Every atom has a center, or nucleus,
composed of at least one proton and often neutrons. All atoms have at least one electron
which orbits the nucleus. Electricity is the movement of electrons. Atoms of some
materials allow electrons to move from the orbit of one atom to the orbit of a second, and
so on. These types of orbits are said to be loosely held. Materials whose atoms are
loosely held are called conductors. A stream of moving electrons is called electricity.
 Basics of Magnetism
Contents of the movie include: Magnetism is a force essential to understanding electricity.
Magnets can attract or repel other magnets and attract certain other materials like iron. All
magnets have poles at the ends, a north pole and a south pole. The north and south poles
of different magnets will attract each other. Opposite poles attract. Two north poles or two
south poles will repel from each other. No matter how many times you split a magnet, it
will always have a north and south pole. The Earth acts like a giant bar magnet. This
magnet is buried through the center of the planet. The south pole of the Earth’s magnet
lies under the north pole of the Earth. A compass needle always points north. The needle
is really a magnet. It is attracted toward the Earth magnet’s south pole, which lies near the
north pole. (Recall opposite poles attract.) A compass needle can be moved if another
magnet or piece of iron is near. This is because the magnetic attraction of these objects is
greater than the Earth’s magnet. Objects containing iron-like a paper clip – will not attract
another object containing iron on its own. However, if the paper clip touches a magnet
first, it becomes magnetized and will then attract a second paper clip. When the magnet is
removed from the first clip, its magnetic properties vanish. This is because the iron objects
contain tiny magnetic particles, called domains, which are arranged in a random pattern.
When the object comes into contact with a magnet, the domains line up, and the iron
object temporarily becomes a magnet. When the magnet is removed, the domains return
to their random pattern and the magnetic properties go away. Magnets have an area
around then where their magnetic forces work. This area is known as a magnetic field. A
magnetic field can pass through other materials like paper, glass, water, etc.
 Electricity: Moving Electrons
Contents of this movie include: The electricity that we use is made by a machine and sent
to us by wires. The key to making electricity is magnetism. Danish scientist Hans
Christian Oerstead discovered that a magnetic field exists around wire carrying electricity.
This was followed by a discovery by French scientist Andre Ampere that a loop of wire
carrying an electrical current acts like a magnet with a north pole and a south pole.
Increasing the number of loops increased the strength of the magnetic field. A coil of wire
(many loops) carrying electricity is known as a solenoid. William Sturgeon found that the
strength of a solenoid magnetic field can be greatly increased by placing an iron core
inside the coil. A coil carrying an electrical current with an iron core is called an
electromagnet. Michael Faraday discovered the mechanical properties of a wire carrying
an electrical current. He found that a wire stretched between the poles of a horseshoe
magnet moved when current was switched on. Reversing the flow of current through the
wire reversed the direction the wire moved. This discovery led to the invention of the
electric motor. Faraday’s subsequent experiments showed that a magnetic field can move
electrons inside a conductor. This process is called induction. An electric generator
produces an electrical current through the process of induction. Alternating current is a
stream of electrons moving in two different directions in a wire.
 Play Basics Quiz
This quiz reviews information presented in the Basics movies. To play, the student first
chooses a player by clicking on one of the three individuals at the bottom of the screen.
The next screen asks the player to type in his or her name. At this point the student then
clicks the “Start Game” button. Round 1 will ask nine questions. Point values for each
question appear on a grid on the right side of the screen. Players click on a point value to
receive each question. They must type answers in the field on the screen. To do this,
click inside the answer field and a blinking cursor will appear. The next step is to click the
‘Submit’ button. Some of the answers require a word to be typed in the field, while others
require a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Students are congratulated if their answers are correct and points
are added to their total. If incorrect, the correct answer is indicated and points are
subtracted. (A negative score is possible.) When Round 1 is completed, players can
move on to Round 2. The final score is indicated at the end of Round 2. At any time,
players can begin playing the game again by clicking on the “Reset Game” button.
Use Caution
Clicking on the Use Caution quadrant brings up the Use Caution (safety) screen. The screen
displays nine graphic symbols for electrical safety rules. Nine additional symbols representing
natural gas safety rules will appear when the ‘Gas’ button is selected. An ‘Electric’ button can
take students to the electrical safety graphics. As a student moves the cursor over a graphic, a
safety rule appears.
Electrical Safety Rules: Avoid contact with overhead lines. Stay away from padmount
transformers bases. Don’t use electrical appliances near water. Stay away from
downed power lines. Stay away from substations. Don’t stick metal objects into a
toaster. Don’t climb transmission towers. Replace worn or frayed appliance cords.
Don’t stick foreign objects into electrical outlets.
Natural Gas Safety Rules: Beware of carbon monoxide produced by faulty appliances. A
blue flame indicates that a gas appliance is operating properly; report and correct
appliances displaying orange or discolored flame. Turning a burner’s flame so high that
it comes up around the side of a pot is dangerous and wastes energy. Never use a gas
oven as a clothes dryer. Keep toys and flammable objects away from a gas stove.
Don’t turn on an electrical switch if you smell natural gas (mercaptan). Children should
never operate gas fireplaces. Call before you dig to locate buried gas lines.
 Power Bandit Feud
The Power Bandit Feud tests students’ knowledge of safety. It is an electronic game
where point values are given for choosing the most likely answers to the questions. There
are three rounds to the game. Running point totals are kept. Start the game by clicking on
the button, “Press Here to Begin Round.” The students can then click in the answer box
and type answers. Second and third rounds are initiated in the same manner. The
answers to the game are listed in the Power Bandit Teacher Resource PDF file under
Power Bandit Feud.
Beat the Bandit
This section teaches energy conservation. Clicking to the Beat the Bandit quadrant takes the
student to the Tracker radar. Blips on the radar screen represent the locations of the Power
Bandit as he wastes electricity. Clicking on each different radar blip takes the student to a
different location of energy waste. Once a location is chosen, a picture of the location appears
on the left hand side of the screen. A description of the energy waste and steps to reduce the
waste are listed on the right.
The Power Bandit locations are the refrigerator, bathroom shower, light switches, exterior
doors, bathroom sink, water faucets and the trash can.
After viewing the recycling page, there is a “More Energy Saving Tips” button. This energy
savings tips button lists 24 additional energy saving suggestions.
Clicking on the “Match the Objects” launches a memory game. The control buttons are listed
on the right of the screen. “Start” begins the game, and “stop” pauses the game. The
students’ time, number of attempts and number of objects found are tracked and listed in the
appropriate box. “High Score” ranks scores of previous games played. Twelve images of the
Power Bandit appear on the game board. Clicking on a bandit image reveals a hidden picture
underneath. Pictures are the locations of energy waste discussed in the Tracker Radar.
Students attempt to match pairs of pictures. They are scored based on elapsed time and the
number of attempts it takes to solve the puzzle.
Get the Power
Clicking on this quadrant of the Power Bandit Tracker takes the student to the Get the Power
Screen. This section discusses how electricity is generated and distributed. Three buttons at
the top of the section are labeled “Generation,” “Distribution” and “Solve the Puzzle.”
Selecting “Generation” takes students to a screen containing general information about
electricity and pictures depicting three different energy sources for generating electricity –
wind, water and steam. Clicking on each picture displays an explanation of how these different
generating plants operate.
Content included in the generation section includes: Energy is produced by converting some
form of energy into electricity. Three things are needed for this – a coil of wire, a magnetic field
and a source of mechanical energy. A generator is a machine that uses magnetic fields and
coils of wire to convert mechanical energy into electricity. A wind powered generating plant
has a large fan attached to the generator shaft. Blowing wind turns the fan and the generator
shaft. Hydroelectric generating plants use the weight of falling water to turn a fan (turbine) and
the generator. Steam plants heat water to produce steam. Then the steam blows a fan which
spins the generator. There are two primary heat sources that steam plants use to heat the
water: fossil fuels and nuclear fuels.
Clicking on the “Distribution” button reveals a diagram of the electrical distribution system.
Students can click on the shaded portions of the system diagram and an explanation appears
that describes each element of the system. System components described include step up
substation, transmission lines, step down substation, distribution lines, pole mount
transformers, padmount transformers and the electric meter.
Selecting the “Solve the Puzzle” button launches an electronic jigsaw puzzle. Pieces are
dragged into proper position by clicking and moving the mouse. The completed puzzle is a
picture of the Power Bandit.
After the completion of all of these activities, the teacher can go to the Info button located in
the center of the tracker console at the bottom of the screen and print an “I’ve Beaten the
Bandit” certificate for each of the students along with a letter to their caregiver discussing the
Power Bandit’s lessons. The “I’ve Beaten the Bandit” Certificate is illustrated below.
Diagram
Below is a flow chart of the Power Bandit CD.
Flash Introduction
Front Page
Inside Power
Bandit Tracker
(Console)
Info.
Dates
Basics of
Natural Gas
Basics of
Magnetism
Get the Basics
Basics of
Electrons
Beat the Bandit
Electricity:
Moving
Electrons
Play
Basics
Quiz
Match the
Objects
Glossary of
Terms
Use Caution
Electric
Natural
Gas
Get the Power
Power
Bandit Fued
Generation
Distribution
Solve the
Puzzle
The original grant application listed 04/04 as the proposed start date and 08/04 as the
completion date. The contract was not executed until December 8, 2004 thereby commencing
the grant. In a letter dated January 13, 2004, based on the contract execution date, a new
completion date of May 30, 2005 was requested. Therefore, the dates for the project were
December 8, 2004 through May 30, 2005.
Alternatives
Supplementary materials in the form of workbooks and activity handouts could also provide
educational basis for electrical and natural gas awareness and education.
Results to Date
First Quarter
Activities during the first reporting quarter included:
 Conducting relevant research and gathering information for inclusion on the CD
 Preparing the CD introduction and project scope and
 Preparing task management schedule.
Second Quarter
During the second quarter, activities completed included:
 Establishing creative direction for project, including the introduction animation and
main interface design, and
 Conceptual design process including main interface design, key layout, graphic
design and illustration of Power Bandit’s character along with the key scenes, and
 Developing verbiage content to be used in games and transitional pages.
Third Quarter
Activities completed during the third reporting quarter included:
 Acquiring graphic files and preparing the structural organization of all files,
 Producing/designing graphics and artwork,
 Creating sub-pages,
 Integrating graphic user interface,
 Creating interactive games,
 Flash programming,
 Optimization, including testing on multiple applications to verify functionality on
various platforms,
 Performing final testing on available platforms, and
 Performing final check for accuracy of information.
Status
This project is complete.
Applicability
The Power Bandit Safety and Energy Conservation Program can be used by all publicly
owned utilities due to the focus of the program. This program focuses on safety and
energy conservation, which are priorities of publicly owned utilities. Publicly owned utilities
have a responsibility to educating their customers (the public) about safety as it pertains to
their services, as well as energy conservation, which, in essence, teaches our customers
to lower their utility bills.
Future Plans
We hope to distribute at minimum of one CD to each school located within our service
area.
Equipment
The Power Bandit CD will utilize Flash animations and will be compatible with most
computers. The contractor (Moore Syndication) will supply all hardware and software
required for the development and completion of this project.
Budget
Funding
Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division
APPA/DEED
Moore Syndication (in-kind)
TOTAL FUNDING
$10,015
$15,000
$ 3,684
$28,699
Cost
Phase I
Phase II
Phase III
Phase IV
Deliverables
TOTAL COST
$ 4,167
$11,791
$ 7,500
$ 2,751*
$ 2,490
$28,699
* Phase IV cost exceeded the budgeted amount as a result of enhancements (videos
instead of dialogue) that were made to the Power Bandit CD.
Additional Notes & References
In the original grant application, it was proposed that the project would include an
interactive CD, teacher’s guide and lesson plan. In an effort to minimize cost, the teacher’s
guide, lesson plan and a certificate of completion for the students were included on the
CD. The aforementioned modification was noted in a letter dated January 10, 2004,
which accompanied the first quarterly report for this project.