Dive Summary:

• Commonwealth Edison Company announced Monday that it will roll out four new grid modernization games with the intent of using them to encourage customers to engage with the smart grid.
• ComEd is making the new games available via ComEd.com and Facebook, and the announcement calls the games "a great preview for what's possible with the new smart grid technology and the smart home" as the utility begins installing 4 million new smart meters over the next 10 years.
• The games, several of which will be playable on Android tablets and iPads, are titled "Energy Efficiency 101," "Fast Fridge," "Smart Home" and "Power On!"

From the press release:

ComEd helps customers put their energy efficiency knowledge to the test with the launch of four new digital games. Unveiled today, these interactive games will entertain and teach players about how to manage their energy use and save money, as well as demonstrate the work involved in modernizing the electric grid.
The four games, called "Energy Efficiency 101," "Fast Fridge," "Smart Home," and "Power On!" are playable through ComEd.com and ComEd's Facebook page (Facebook.com/ComEd), and select games will be available on Android Tablets and Apple's iPad.

In "Energy 101," players are faced with a timed, multiple-choice quiz that poses questions about programmable thermostats, energy efficient appliances, compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and other efficiency-related topics, while providing them with energy-saving tips that can be implemented at home to manage energy use. "Fast Fridge" tests players' memory skills by challenging them to remove specific items from an open refrigerator before all the cold air can escape. The "Smart Home" game displays common household appliances and teaches players about the energy required to power such devices, rewarding players for turning off higher wattage items before they disappear, while also managing their family's comfort level through a visible happiness meter.

The ability to manage energy use is one of the benefits of smart meters, which are digital electric meters that provide customers with access to more information on their home's electricity usage. ComEd plans to install approximately four million new smart meters across its service territory over the next ten years. These meters, in conjunction with in-home display units, will allow users to identify their real-time energy use through a secure Internet connection. ...