We were engaged to convert an under-utilised single room computer lab into a Energy Test Lab, for the University of Queensland, School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.
The UQ Energy Test Lab will be used to test cyber security and efficiency aspects of energy supply infrastructure.
The resolved plan provided three zones, a dedicated meeting area, a teaching area, and a test area.
Multiple test panels replicate various pieces of infrastructure like coal power generation, wind generation, solar generation, hydro generation, the transmission grid, etc.
The lab allows critical pieces of equipment in the infrastructure systems, to be tested for reliability and cyber security and ac be used for learning and experimentation purposes.
Given the constant evolution of new equipment to be studied, the lab has been configured with joinery walls that allow users to flexibly run new exposed or concealed cables between all points in the room.
The testing area is presented to passersby via the frameless glass facade,
with large LCD screens providing feedback to researchers and theatre to onlookers.