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Overcoming performance limitations in multicrystalline silicon solar cells. This project aims to address the major impediments to improved efficiency of multicrystalline silicon solar cells, the most prevalent in industry today. Three key areas have been identified: understanding the fundamental source of carrier recombination in this material, the application of plasma silicon nitride to reducing this recombination, and developing a suitable technique for texturing the front surface of the cell ....Overcoming performance limitations in multicrystalline silicon solar cells. This project aims to address the major impediments to improved efficiency of multicrystalline silicon solar cells, the most prevalent in industry today. Three key areas have been identified: understanding the fundamental source of carrier recombination in this material, the application of plasma silicon nitride to reducing this recombination, and developing a suitable technique for texturing the front surface of the cells. By using novel, advanced techniques to gain a deeper physical understanding of these issues, it will be possible to develop new, cost-effective processes that improve efficiency and are applicable in industry.Read moreRead less
Innovative Grid-Connected, Small-Scale Wind Turbine Generators Offering Low Cost and Wide Operating Speed Range. Growing concerns about sustainability issues with fossil fuels have resulted in strong interest in wind power worldwide. Grid-connected inverters are an efficient way of utilising small wind turbines on domestic, farming or small commercial properties which have access to the power grid. Existing small-scale, grid-connected wind turbines are expensive and have a limited operating wind ....Innovative Grid-Connected, Small-Scale Wind Turbine Generators Offering Low Cost and Wide Operating Speed Range. Growing concerns about sustainability issues with fossil fuels have resulted in strong interest in wind power worldwide. Grid-connected inverters are an efficient way of utilising small wind turbines on domestic, farming or small commercial properties which have access to the power grid. Existing small-scale, grid-connected wind turbines are expensive and have a limited operating wind speed range. We are investigating new designs for low-cost wind turbine generators which can produce power over a wide range of wind speeds. The project should result in a greater application of small-scale wind generators in Australia and will lead to reductions in fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions.Read moreRead less
Investigation of P Type Emitters for Future Generation Photovoltaics. The overseas market for photovoltaic panels is large and rapidly expanding - it is expected to grow six-fold over the next decade, to nearly US$10 billion per annum. Australia is well placed to capture a significant share of this market, creating employment and export earnings. The project is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of a vibrant and highly competitive photovoltaics industry in Australia, ....Investigation of P Type Emitters for Future Generation Photovoltaics. The overseas market for photovoltaic panels is large and rapidly expanding - it is expected to grow six-fold over the next decade, to nearly US$10 billion per annum. Australia is well placed to capture a significant share of this market, creating employment and export earnings. The project is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of a vibrant and highly competitive photovoltaics industry in Australia, since the results of the research are expected to lead to improved manufacturing processes. In addition, photovoltaics will be a key technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus mitigate the magnitude and severity of the effects of global warming. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883074
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Distributed Generation Evaluation Facility and Power Control. The development and demonstration of Distributed Energy Resource solutions will assist the deployment of greenhouse gas reduction strategies and of reliability improvements with particular benefits for rural and remote electricity supply. Small generation units can be the best solution for some reliability and voltage support issues in rural/remote networks. The research will show how these can be operated and the benefits achievable ....Distributed Generation Evaluation Facility and Power Control. The development and demonstration of Distributed Energy Resource solutions will assist the deployment of greenhouse gas reduction strategies and of reliability improvements with particular benefits for rural and remote electricity supply. Small generation units can be the best solution for some reliability and voltage support issues in rural/remote networks. The research will show how these can be operated and the benefits achievable for sources including renewables in a manner that is accessible to communities and with a rigorous set of test scenarios that will satisfy concerns from utilities. The flexible system nature is the significant development previously unavailable to researchers/developers.Read moreRead less
CONTROL AND INTERFACING OF GRID-CONNECTED IGBT INVERTERS FOR SMALL-SCALE WIND GENERATORS. The project aims to investigate methods for extracting and converting intermittent energy from variable speed wind generators and supplying to electricity grids. Low cost power conditioning units for integrating small-scale wind generators will be designed, developed and commercialised. It is expected that this project will lead to a systematic design procedure for grid connected inverter technology using ....CONTROL AND INTERFACING OF GRID-CONNECTED IGBT INVERTERS FOR SMALL-SCALE WIND GENERATORS. The project aims to investigate methods for extracting and converting intermittent energy from variable speed wind generators and supplying to electricity grids. Low cost power conditioning units for integrating small-scale wind generators will be designed, developed and commercialised. It is expected that this project will lead to a systematic design procedure for grid connected inverter technology using a novel current control technique, and extraction of more energy from small scale wind turbines especially at low wind speeds. Successful commercialisation will result in significant reduction in cost resulting wider application of wind turbines, substantial economic benefit to the commercial partners as well as Australian communities in rural areas.Read moreRead less
Hybrid Remote Area Power Systems with Hydrogen Energy Storage for Isolated and Regional Communities. The distances and difficulties of transporting diesel to remote areas substantially add to the cost of electricity - making it many times the cost of supplies available from the grid. Consistency of electricity supply is dependent on reliable transport access and substantial storage for fuel on site. This project will reduce emissions in energy generation and provide the opportunity for mainly ....Hybrid Remote Area Power Systems with Hydrogen Energy Storage for Isolated and Regional Communities. The distances and difficulties of transporting diesel to remote areas substantially add to the cost of electricity - making it many times the cost of supplies available from the grid. Consistency of electricity supply is dependent on reliable transport access and substantial storage for fuel on site. This project will reduce emissions in energy generation and provide the opportunity for mainly renewable, high-quality electricity supplies at reduced cost for remote and isolated communities. This will make communities more self-sufficient, enhance the quality of life and provide opportunities for initiatives, including economic and employment generating activities, to benefit the communities.Read moreRead less
Optimising Control of Hydroelectric Turbines Subject to Basslink Instability. With the introduction of Basslink, an underwater DC power cable across the Bass Strait, Tasmania will be connected to the national Electricity Market. Basslink will also provide an opportunity to utilise the significant water energy potential found throughout Tasmania. This project will examine the impact and disturbances due to the connection of Basslink with Tasmanian hydro power systems and develop control strategi ....Optimising Control of Hydroelectric Turbines Subject to Basslink Instability. With the introduction of Basslink, an underwater DC power cable across the Bass Strait, Tasmania will be connected to the national Electricity Market. Basslink will also provide an opportunity to utilise the significant water energy potential found throughout Tasmania. This project will examine the impact and disturbances due to the connection of Basslink with Tasmanian hydro power systems and develop control strategies for effective operation and control of hydro turbines with Basslink. Particular attention will be paid to the quality and reliability of electricity supply in Tasmania.Read moreRead less
Lifetime spectroscopy of impurities in silicon solar cells. This project aims to apply recently developed experimental techniques to the important problem of characterising impurities in silicon, with a strong focus on solar cell applications. These new spectroscopic techniques, which are based on carrier lifetime measurements, are more sensitive and less ambiguous than most existing methods. The results will have important implications for solar cell technologies in two independent ways - first ....Lifetime spectroscopy of impurities in silicon solar cells. This project aims to apply recently developed experimental techniques to the important problem of characterising impurities in silicon, with a strong focus on solar cell applications. These new spectroscopic techniques, which are based on carrier lifetime measurements, are more sensitive and less ambiguous than most existing methods. The results will have important implications for solar cell technologies in two independent ways - firstly, by allowing accurate diagnosis of the performance-limiting impurities in standard silicon solar cells - and secondly, by identifying particular impurities which could boost cell performance beyond the conventional limit through the impurity photovoltaic effect.Read moreRead less
Development of High Frequency and High Power Density Magnetics and its Integrated Magnetic Circuit for Solar Renewable Energy Conversion Systems. The proposed project will result in theoretical and practical contributions to the field of high frequency (HF) magnetics and computational electromagnetics based computer modelling technologies for the power converter used in solar PV systems and high power density converters. The project will provide industry with several novel HF magnetic structures ....Development of High Frequency and High Power Density Magnetics and its Integrated Magnetic Circuit for Solar Renewable Energy Conversion Systems. The proposed project will result in theoretical and practical contributions to the field of high frequency (HF) magnetics and computational electromagnetics based computer modelling technologies for the power converter used in solar PV systems and high power density converters. The project will provide industry with several novel HF magnetic structures and the associated design methodology, and an innovative technology to industry and society with following major benefits: a) increased productivity and minimization of product risk, b) faster project management cycles through the use of cost-effective new design methodology, and c) an improved problem solving environment for scientific research and commercial applications.Read moreRead less
On-line Monitoring and Modelling of Electric Loads for Improving Operational Conditions of Power Systems. Recently, the Tasmanian Electricity System has been connected to the National Electricity Market through Basslink. The behaviour of loads to deviations in frequency and voltage becomes critical when transmission constraints begin to control market outcomes. The project will deliver vital information regarding load behaviour and models representing load responses to frequency and voltage excu ....On-line Monitoring and Modelling of Electric Loads for Improving Operational Conditions of Power Systems. Recently, the Tasmanian Electricity System has been connected to the National Electricity Market through Basslink. The behaviour of loads to deviations in frequency and voltage becomes critical when transmission constraints begin to control market outcomes. The project will deliver vital information regarding load behaviour and models representing load responses to frequency and voltage excursions with the objective of optimising power exchanges within the National Electricity Market. This will allow Tasmania to take advantage of various renewable technologies. The research will focus on the quality of electricity supply in Tasmania and the national power grid, and on the consequent economic benefits.Read moreRead less