Alfred University holds ceremony for New Edibon Power Systems Simulation lab

The AUEnergy Conference, held on campus Thursday, Oct. 23, concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Edibon Power Systems Simulation Lab; tours of labs across the McMahon Engineering Building; a poster presentation of current research by students from Alfred University's Renewable Energy Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs; and a networking reception for students and representatives from the power industry.

The Edibon Power Systems Simulation Lab features a state-of-the-art smart grid simulation equipment. The grid control and distributed energy system developed by Spanish company Edibon empowers students and researchers to simulate, control, and optimize a wide range of distributed energy resources (DERs) under real-world conditions. The system features modules for traditional steam generation, solar, wind, and hydro. Other modules simulate advanced energy storage such thermal and flywheel and a spectrum of battery and non-battery energy storage technologies. The lab also supports existing university research in fuel cells, syngas generation, and hydrogen separation.

Housed in Alfred University's Inamori School of Engineering, the Edibon Lab is used in upper-level courses on distributed energy resources, microgrids, virtual power plants, and advanced energy storage systems. Engineering students conduct live experiments on DER control strategies, battery management, and renewable energy forecasting using the Edibon platform. Custom lab modules and undergraduate capstone project opportunities are offered to students in Renewable Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering tracks.

The Edibon Lab reflects the Inamori School of Engineering's emphasis on experiential learning, something that is evident throughout the school's Renewable Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs. In addition to the Edibon facility, the McMahon Engineering Building also houses the GE Vernova Advanced Power Grid Lab and the Battery Testing Lab, both of which provide students with an array of applied learning opportunities designed to help prepare them for careers in the power industry.

Gabby Gaustad '04, dean of the Inamori School of Engineering, makes comments at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Edibon Power Systems Simulation Lab Thursday, Oct. 23.

"Applied and experiential learning are a hallmark of an Alfred University education," said Gabrielle Gaustad '04, dean of the Inamori School of Engineering. "We're really proud of this. We want to make sure our students get hands-on experience. This lab is an awesome playground for students to get experience learning about the power grid."

Gaustad expressed appreciation for "our amazing partners" who contributed to the development of grid simulation and battery testing facilities. They include GE Vernova, EPRI, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and Edibon. She noted that the only other college or university that possesses a facility similar to Alfred's Edibon Lab is the University of Central Florida-the largest institution of higher education in the country in terms of undergraduate enrollment.

"Alfred University is the place to be if you want to study sustainability," Beth Ann Dobie, provost and chief operating officer, commented, referring to the network of Alfred alumni and power industry leaders. "It is an incredible partnership."

Engineering students, from left, Nash Osinski, Ayomideji Israel-Akinbo, Ian Ashworth, and Nick Flemmer at the research poster they created for the post session held during the AUEnergy Conference Thursday, Oct. 23.