Energy Focused Living Learning Labs

IES is glad to support and bring awareness to all of the exciting energy-related Living Learning Lab (LLL) work being conducted in spaces at the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor. 

LLLs have been defined in various ways, including being called the “co-creation process in integrating research and innovation in a systematic way, on a given territorial context” (Zen, 2017). Other researchers define them as “educational environments to prepare students in higher education for future roles;  co-creation, real-life setting, multi-stakeholder participation, multi-method approach, and active user involvement” (van den Heuvel, R., Braun, S., de Bruin, M., & Daniels, R., 2021). A testbed focused definition of LLLs is “a human-centric research and development approach in which ICT innovations are co-created, tested, and evaluated in open, collaborative, multi-contextual real-world settings” (Ståhlbröst, 2008). Another definition of LLLs refers to “any building or group of buildings that can be experimented on but is being used by real people” (de Chalendar, J. A., Keskar, A., Johnson, J. X., & Mathieu, J. L., 2024). The qualities of most LLL definitions include some emphasis on the context of the work in some human-focused or territorial backdrop, a focus on iterative and active feedback from the system, a prominence for collaborative stakeholders, and obviously some primary elements of research and education. 

IES views LLLs as generally and broadly the use of real-world conditions and systems for informing research and education. LLLs can be place-based or based in non-physical forms, like a cloud for data management. LLLs can be focused on students or researchers, with varying degrees of involvement. LLLs can be focused on a continued manipulation and active control of a real-world condition or a passive observation of a real-world condition. LLLs can be focused around communities, facilities, or systems with endless opportunities for learning and public outreach. 

IES researchers have leveraged U-M facilities and resources as LLLs. For example, a multi-year US Department of Energy funded project that used U-M campus buildings to conduct grid-interactive building experiments led to a perspectives article in Joule on the opportunities and challenges of using networks of campus buildings for LLLs (de Chalendar, J. A., Keskar, A., Johnson, J. X., & Mathieu, J. L., 2024). Another example of a LLL project on campus is the University of Michigan Blue Electric Bus system, which was introduced into the UM bus infrastructure following a fuel consumption and operational analysis. Now data is regularly gathered and further learning and research is explored.

University of Michigan and Ann Arbor based LLLs related to energy are highlighted in the linked map below. Note that this map is a work in progress – we will be periodically updating it with new information. 

Energy Living Learning Labs Map

For U-M faculty and staff…

  • If you lead an energy focused LLL project, please complete the form with a description of your work so we can include it in our map. 
  • If you maintain a physical space on campus or in Ann Arbor with potential for LLL energy research, please reach out to [email protected]
  • If you have resources, reports, papers, or other products related to LLLs that you would like us to feature on this page, please reach out to [email protected].
Electric Buses at the University of Michigan represent an historical and ongoing example of living learning labs.
Citations

Citations:

Zen, I. S. (2017, September 4). Exploring the Living Learning Laboratory: An Approach to strengthen campus sustainability initiatives by using sustainability science Approach. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 18(6), 939-955. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSHE-09-2015-0154/full/html#ref042

van den Heuvel, R., Braun, S., de Bruin, M., & Daniels, R. (2021). A Closer Look at Living Labs and Higher Education using a Scoping Review. Technology Innovation Management Review, 11(9), N/A. https://timreview.ca/article/1463

Ståhlbröst, A. (2008). Forming future IT: the living lab way of user involvement. Lulea University of Technology – Doctoral Thesis, N/A(N/A), 139. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A999816&dswid=-7195

de Chalendar, J. A., Keskar, A., Johnson, J. X., & Mathieu, J. L. (2024, January 17). Living laboratories can and should play a greater role to unlock flexibility in United States commercial buildings. Joule, 8(1), 13-28. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S254243512300483X?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=8435f961186e10ee