Infrarium

Forty-five minutes of stress in a sea container that has been transformed into an infrarium filled with physical and mental challenges. How do you go about laying energy cables without disrupting industry or energy suppliers? How can you work with others in a small space filled with smoke, flashing lights and incessant noise? What effect do stress and emotions have on decision-making? The Energy Grid Game simulation reveals the challenging decisions that the energy sector will face during the current energy transition. This case focuses on the Port of Rotterdam. The game was designed by Igor Nikolic, associate professor of participatory multi-modelling, and Geertje Bekebrede, associate professor of serious game design. The goal is to allow participants to experience, both physically and emotionally, the urgency, cohesion, mutual dependence and complexity of the energy transition. 

Infrarium is a big blue container in which a physical game is created in order to do various types of researchers. A group of three players needs to work together and learn how to communicate when they attempt to solve the problems and scenarios that come up during a gaming session. The whole container reacts to player actions with lights and even smoke. Depending on the research conducted the simulation and game scenario can be adjusted and changed as needed.

As of 2023 we are working on improvements and expansions of the container and its simulation. However, you can already see the container itself in front of the TPM faculty. If you want more information, take a look at the website:

Infrarium