VUB Electricity Lab retains its unique character while meeting all modern requirements and safety regulations

Those who study engineering at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) find themselves in an electrical engineering lab that is unique in the world. Unique because it has an infrastructure that you will not find anywhere else in the world: the possibility to test large powers that are representative of the industry with power supplies up to 500 A. The lab, which originally dates back to the 70s, includes a set-up that essentially imitates the operation of a power plant.

But even the best-maintained lab starts to show defects after 40 years. The connections between the lab and the generation groups in the basement could be more efficient and everything was done manually. The arrival of the new AREI was reason enough for the VUB to give the lab a complete makeover so it would meet all modern safety requirements and techniques.

At the request of the VUB, ATS Group developed a concept whereby lessons could still be taught in the same way, but linked to modern drives, networks and visualisation. A major investment to make the lab future-proof for the next 40 years.

ATS Group was responsible for:

• Concept and engineering
• Automation: grid synchronisation and grid automation
• Visualisation
• Panel construction: ALSB Schneider Okken
• Construction of the laboratory tables
• Complete electrical installation
• Specific safety concept

« As soon as I knew that ATS had won the contract, I was confident of a good outcome. ATS had already proven itself in previous projects. That confidence was crucial in making this happen in less than eight months." - Prof. Dr. Em. Philippe Lataire, VUB 

"Unfortunately, I don't have a crystal ball to tell me which technology will be hot in 25 years' time. That is why the flexibility we have built into the new lab is the key to future-proofing it. I'm convinced that we'll be gone for another 50 years. The collaboration with ATS to make that happen has been fantastic." - Prof. Dr. Ir. Joeri Van Mierlo, Department Chair "Electrical and Energy Engineering" and Head of MOBI (Mobility, Logistics and Automotive Technology Research Centre) at the VUB.