PRODUCT
Smart Solar Benches
Overview
The City of Casey’s Digital Equity Living Lab (DELL) program, launched in October 2021, represents a forward-thinking initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide and fostering community innovation. Our cutting-edge Smart Benches were pivotal in this program, providing essential digital access points for the community. This case study explores the various components, achievements, and future plans of the DELL program, highlighting the significant impact of Eco Renewable Energy’s products on the community.
The DELL program was established at the Autumn Place Community Hub in Doveton, targeting vulnerable and diverse community groups, including seniors and low-income families. The program’s primary objectives were to:
- Enhance digital access through the provision of free WiFi and smart street furniture.
- Improve digital affordability by offering low-cost or free devices.
- Boost digital skills via literacy programs and support sessions.
Key Initiatives
Our innovative solutions were integral to achieving the DELL program’s goals:
- Smart Benches: These installations provided solar-powered street furniture equipped with public WiFi, device charging stations, and environmental sensors. They served as crucial touchpoints for residents to access digital services and information.
- Free WiFi: Available at key locations such as Doveton Pool, the free WiFi service ensured residents could connect to the internet without financial burden.
- Device Provision: The program distributed 15 laptops to community members, particularly targeting those who lacked personal devices.
- Digital Literacy Programs: Workshops and sessions were conducted to improve residents’ digital skills, ensuring they could effectively use the technology available to them.
- Technology Support Sessions: These sessions offered one-on-one assistance to residents, helping them troubleshoot and understand digital tools and services.
Impact and Metrics
The success of the DELL program, bolstered by Eco Renewable Energy’s products, can be measured through various metrics:
- WiFi Sessions: A total of 1,392 WiFi sessions were recorded from the Smart Benches.
- Charging Sessions: There were 333 charging sessions logged, indicating the utility of the Smart Benches.
Outcomes
The DELL program achieved several positive outcomes, facilitated by our innovative solutions:
- Empowerment of Residents: By providing access to digital tools and the internet, residents could engage more effectively with digital services, education, and employment opportunities.
- Increased Community Engagement: The availability of digital infrastructure encouraged greater community participation and interaction.
- Promotion of Digital Inclusivity: The program’s focus on vulnerable groups ensured that those most at risk of digital exclusion received the support they needed.
Future Plans
Building on its initial success, the City of Casey plans to scale up the DELL program to other disadvantaged areas, including Cranbourne, Hallam, and Hampton Park. Additionally, the city is exploring other Living Lab initiatives focused on the Circular Economy and Future Mobility, which aim to address sustainability and innovation in various sectors. Eco Renewable Energy will continue to play a vital role in these expansions, providing state-of-the-art solutions to meet evolving community needs.
Conclusion
The City of Casey’s DELL program exemplifies how targeted digital initiatives can address social challenges and enhance local economic growth. Our Smart Benches were instrumental in this success, providing essential digital access points that empowered residents and promoted a more inclusive community. As the City of Casey continues to expand and innovate, Eco Renewable Energy remains a key partner in bridging the digital divide and fostering community innovation.
We engaged Eco Renewable Energy a few years ago for our Digital Equity Living Lab. We used ERE benches as an all-in-one solution for providing connectivity in places where a high number of residents were digitally excluded. Our initial implementation focussed on Doveton where 20% of homes at the time did not have access to a reliable internet connection. The program has expanded to other digitally excluded areas including one at a local skate park in Pearcedale where the youth reached out telling us that most of them didn’t have reliable connections to their families when they were at the skate park because they were on pre-paid connections or using WiFi only devices. Most recently we have implemented one at Banjo Patterson Lake in Lynbrook. This location has proven to be a gathering place for local community members who face digital exclusion for a variety of reasons. We have seen several posts on social media already from the community showing how much they appreciate the addition to their community. The ERE products have proven to be a reliable and cost-effective way of getting public WiFi into areas that other providers have told us they can’t. it’s a great solution, all you need is the sun.
