The Smart Lab Blooms at North Campus

Have you noticed the structure that looks like a flower outside the parking garage at North Campus and wondered what it is?

It’s part of the Sustainable MicroGrid and Renewable Technology (SMART) Lab that recently celebrated its grand opening!

Located on the second floor of the parking garage and in collaboration with industry partner Siemens Canada, The SMART Lab provides an educational and experimental environment to train students and professionals on the use of a microgrid system which reliably manages the generation, storage and consumption of energy.

The structure, which is known as a Smartflower, is inspired by sunflowers. Equipped with solar panels, the Smartflower follows the sun throughout the day and can close at night or when there’s high wind. The electricity it generates is controlled by The SMART Lab, and some of the electricity is stored in batteries and used at the lab’s EV charging stations.

The Smartflower is an effective learning tool to teach students about the concept of solar panels and how microgrids can generate, distribute, and control power in a campus setting, a small community, in critical infrastructure, commercial and industrial areas, remote locations, and on islands.

Another milestone in Humber’s commitment to sustainability, The SMART Lab will provide students with the opportunity to gain a range of knowledge and professional skills related to the design, operation and maintenance of microgrids through hands-on learning. The Lab will also be used for future applied research projects and will allow the college to offer microcredentials in the field of microgrid and renewable energy.

Watch the video to learn more about the Humber College and Siemens Canada Establish Sustainable Microgrid & Renewable Technology (SMART) Lab.