“I am very excited, because to me this is very like securing an Olympics or World’s Fair.”—Beth Krom, Irvine council member and Orange County Great Park board member
Irvine, the “City of Innovation”, is about to score another first. A U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) event will be held for the first time at a location other than Washington D.C. This biennial event started in 2002 and until now has always been held on the Washington Mall. This year it will be held at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine.
The event I am writing about is the 2013 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon and XPO. Here are some details from the U.S. Department of Energy:
U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is an award-winning program that challenges collegiate teams from across the nation and around the world to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive. During the two weekends in October, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the houses, gather ideas to use in their own homes and learn how energy-saving features can help save money.
Energy XPO
“The XPO is a clean, renewable and efficient energy exposition, featuring visionary and innovative companies, products and educational opportunities, developed around the Solar Decathlon 2013 at the Great Park. Through fun, interactive exhibits and activities, the XPO will provide visitors with information about the broad spectrum of energy efficiency in home design, transportation, consumer products, food production and education. Visitors will experience actionable ways to implement energy efficiency today and into the future, with the goal that attendees will leave the XPO with tools and resources to live differently.”
One more first will be part of this upcoming DOE event. This will be the first time that the Solar Decathlon XPO will include a Transportation Zone. So, as part of the Green Streets Experience, you will have an opportunity to test drive some fuel-efficient hybrids.
Again, this will be the first time the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon and XPO is held at a location other than the Washington Mall. And not only that, it will be held in our backyard, the Orange County Great Park in Irvine.
The Solar Decathlon and XPO will be held the weekends of October 3-6 and October 10-13 from 11 am to 7 pm. Entrance is free; parking is $5. The location is the Orange County Great Park. Car, bus, train, and shuttle options are available for getting to the Solar Decathlon.
For more information about Solar Decathlon 2013, see the U.S. Department of Energy site or the City of Irvine site.