Smart i-Lab: A Green, Future-Ready & Collaborative Instructional Lab for Engineering Education
Smart Instructional Laboratory (Smart i-Lab): A Green, Future-Ready, and Collaborative Instructional Laboratory for Engineering Education
Adrian Cahlil Eiz Togonon
Researcher/Engineer; Smart i-Lab Project
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute
UP Diliman
The Smart i-LAB is a state-of-the-art instructional laboratory designed to enhance engineering education and research. Equipped with advanced teleconferencing setups, IoT sensing, and automation features, the lab is powered by renewable solar energy, making it a green and future-ready facility. In addition to supporting collaborative and hybrid learning, the lab serves as an innovative platform for the design, research, and development of energy efficiency technologies. The teleconferencing setup includes wireless conferencing, PTZ cameras with auto tracking, and interactive screens for collaborative learning, providing an immersive and interactive learning experience. The IoT features of the lab leverage Home Assistant as its system aggregator, incorporating smart HVAC systems, energy monitoring, and smart lighting control. The Smart HVAC system utilizes data from air quality, temperature, and humidity sensors to optimize air purifiers and air conditioners. Energy monitoring is facilitated through smart power plugs for device-level monitoring and breaker-level power monitoring for the entire building. Furthermore, the Smart I-Lab is powered by a 55kW solar energy system, utilizing SMA solar inverters and microinverters to generate renewable energy. In conjunction with a comprehensive dashboard interface, the laboratory's solar generation data is integrated and visualized, catering to energy efficiency monitoring and control. In summary, the Smart I-Lab stands as a pioneering model for engineering education, research, and sustainability. With its emphasis on renewable energy, collaborative learning, and IoT-driven innovation, the lab sets a precedent for future engineering instructional laboratories and serves as a testament to the institute's commitment to excellence in engineering education and research.
As part of the National Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering Conference (NEECECON 2024), this technical session is organized by the UP Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute with the theme "National Development through Sustainable Industrialization."
NEECECON 2024 is co-located with the Advanced Science, Technology, and Innovation Convention (ASTICON) 2024, held from 18 to 19 July 2024 at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City.
ASTICON 2024 showcased DOST-ASTI and UP EEEI's pioneering contributions to the ICT landscape while celebrating the partnerships that drive technological advancement and societal progress in the country.
For more info about the event, visit https://neececon2024.eee.upd.edu.ph.