Integration of Solar, Wind and Storage Systems into Distribution Grids for Network Support. This project will contribute to the development and utilisation of renewable energy technologies for a sustainable future and facilitate their integration into electricity grids for network support. Innovative methodologies and technologies will be developed to reduce network problems associated with the integration of a large number of small-scale renewable energy resources into distribution grids. This ....Integration of Solar, Wind and Storage Systems into Distribution Grids for Network Support. This project will contribute to the development and utilisation of renewable energy technologies for a sustainable future and facilitate their integration into electricity grids for network support. Innovative methodologies and technologies will be developed to reduce network problems associated with the integration of a large number of small-scale renewable energy resources into distribution grids. This project will also develop assessment tools to examine the impact of renewable energy penetration on power quality aspects, network stability and protection performance. This research will provide remedies for potential problems introduced by their integration and improve voltage support in the electricity networks. Read moreRead less
Surface Processing of Photo-Sensitive Semiconducting Oxides for Solar-Hydrogen. Aim: To enhance the performance of titania-based semiconducting photo-electrodes for the generation of hydrogen from water using sunlight. Means: Engineering of the surface and near-surface layers so as to increase photo-sensitivity and reactivity with water. Significance: Success will provide the key functional component of photo-electrochemical cells for the mass production of renewable and clean hydrogen. In ....Surface Processing of Photo-Sensitive Semiconducting Oxides for Solar-Hydrogen. Aim: To enhance the performance of titania-based semiconducting photo-electrodes for the generation of hydrogen from water using sunlight. Means: Engineering of the surface and near-surface layers so as to increase photo-sensitivity and reactivity with water. Significance: Success will provide the key functional component of photo-electrochemical cells for the mass production of renewable and clean hydrogen. Innovation: For the first time, the properties controlling photo-sensitivity (defect disorder; charge transport; and chemically-induced, local, surface electric fields) will be modified. Outcomes: Technologies for the production of fuel (hydrogen) using renewable energy (solar energy) and a renewable resource (water).
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Next generation evaporated and laser diode processed thin-film silicon-on-glass solar cells. The project targets a new generation of low-cost silicon solar cell that will significantly reduce the costs of generating electricity from sunlight by depositing cells onto glass as it comes from a glass factory. Solar cells are presently the world's most rapidly growing energy source, with Australians and Australian companies already major players in the associated rapidly expanding industry. Solar cel ....Next generation evaporated and laser diode processed thin-film silicon-on-glass solar cells. The project targets a new generation of low-cost silicon solar cell that will significantly reduce the costs of generating electricity from sunlight by depositing cells onto glass as it comes from a glass factory. Solar cells are presently the world's most rapidly growing energy source, with Australians and Australian companies already major players in the associated rapidly expanding industry. Solar cells represent the cleanest and most acceptable technology yet suggested for supplying the world's future energy needs. A cleaner future environment than otherwise likely is another expected outcome as is the creation of major new opportunities for Australian industry.Read moreRead less
Fundamentals of an Innovative Technology for Solar Silicon Production. Australia is a world leader in research in photovoltaic technology for solar energy. However, Australia does not produce solar grade silicon. The proposed project will develop a novel frontier technology which will cut the solar silicon production cost by 50%. This will enhance Australia's capacity to power a world-class photovoltaic industry of the future and build on Australia's strengths in research and innovation. Applica ....Fundamentals of an Innovative Technology for Solar Silicon Production. Australia is a world leader in research in photovoltaic technology for solar energy. However, Australia does not produce solar grade silicon. The proposed project will develop a novel frontier technology which will cut the solar silicon production cost by 50%. This will enhance Australia's capacity to power a world-class photovoltaic industry of the future and build on Australia's strengths in research and innovation. Application of the technology will contribute to achieving national target of 6.74 GW photovoltaic solar power capacity by 2020; this will reduce 9.32 million tonnes/year of CO2 emission (the Australian photovoltaic industry roadmap) and contribute to an environmentally sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Multi Tower Solar Array (MTSA) for combined heat and power applications in urban areas. The MTSA is a highly compact, middle-scale (0.5 - 10 MW) solar power concept designed for urban areas. It comprises an array of small towers with high mounted receivers which collect sunlight from a very densely packed reflector field below. Reflectors can be aimed at different towers during the day to minimise blocking and shading losses. A prototype MTSA system to be constructed will test new reflector modu ....Multi Tower Solar Array (MTSA) for combined heat and power applications in urban areas. The MTSA is a highly compact, middle-scale (0.5 - 10 MW) solar power concept designed for urban areas. It comprises an array of small towers with high mounted receivers which collect sunlight from a very densely packed reflector field below. Reflectors can be aimed at different towers during the day to minimise blocking and shading losses. A prototype MTSA system to be constructed will test new reflector modules developed in conjunction with Solahart Industries (Perth). Innovative receivers incorporating spectral control, and both photovoltaic and thermal electricity generation paths will also be developed.Read moreRead less
PROCESSING OF REDUCED-BAND-GAP TITANIA FOR SOLAR-HYDROGEN. The present project involves the development of materials and devices for solar-hydrogen using photo-assisted water decomposition. The research focusses on the processing of titanium dioxide (titania) with substantially enhanced photo-sensitivity and, consequently, increased efficiency of the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy (hydrogen) through imposition of the optimal Ti/O ratio. Significance: processing technology of tit ....PROCESSING OF REDUCED-BAND-GAP TITANIA FOR SOLAR-HYDROGEN. The present project involves the development of materials and devices for solar-hydrogen using photo-assisted water decomposition. The research focusses on the processing of titanium dioxide (titania) with substantially enhanced photo-sensitivity and, consequently, increased efficiency of the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy (hydrogen) through imposition of the optimal Ti/O ratio. Significance: processing technology of titania for photo-electrochemical devices for hydrogen generation and water decontamination. Innovation: processing of titania with reduced band-gap to be achieved through optimised oxygen nonstoichiometry. Outcome: processing technology of titania with outstanding photo-sensitivity.Read moreRead less
Inception of a Practical, Biomimetic, Flexible Photovoltaic Device. This project will design and synthesise new, complex, functional organic molecules and assemble them to create a new type of photovoltaic cell. This device will be designed using biomimetic principles to emulate many of the efficient photosynthetic solar energy conversion processes that occur in plants. A key feature is that near atomic-level control will be achieved over the entire device structure, facilitating the establish ....Inception of a Practical, Biomimetic, Flexible Photovoltaic Device. This project will design and synthesise new, complex, functional organic molecules and assemble them to create a new type of photovoltaic cell. This device will be designed using biomimetic principles to emulate many of the efficient photosynthetic solar energy conversion processes that occur in plants. A key feature is that near atomic-level control will be achieved over the entire device structure, facilitating the establishment of a clear path towards the commercial production of solar cells that are simultaneously highly efficient, long lasting, flexible, and very cheap to manufacture.Read moreRead less
Industrial High Efficiency Solar Cells. Photovoltaics is a promising candidate for sustainable energy generation, with Australia well-placed to capture the economic and environmental benefits from maintaining its strong position with this technology. Suntech, a world-leader in silicon solar cell production with US$2 billion annual revenue, will provide a “high profile” showplace for the developed patterning technology. This will enhance commercial opportunities arising from the project and confi ....Industrial High Efficiency Solar Cells. Photovoltaics is a promising candidate for sustainable energy generation, with Australia well-placed to capture the economic and environmental benefits from maintaining its strong position with this technology. Suntech, a world-leader in silicon solar cell production with US$2 billion annual revenue, will provide a “high profile” showplace for the developed patterning technology. This will enhance commercial opportunities arising from the project and confirm Australia’s reputation as a world leader in innovative photovoltaic research. This reputation attracts high-calibre professionals to Australia, stimulates local research and will provide opportunities for local manufacturing to exploit the technology developed as part of this project.Read moreRead less
NOVEL REAR-SURFACE DESIGNS FOR HIGH-EFFICIENCY COMMERCIAL SILICON SOLAR CELLS. The aim of this collaboration between the University of New South Wales and BP Solar, both world leaders in high-efficiency commercial photovoltaic technologies, is to develop the rear surface of silicon solar cells to enable commercially competitive photovoltaic modules to exceed 20 percent efficiency. The project will develop new technologies for the rear surface that enable excellent light trapping, low recombinati ....NOVEL REAR-SURFACE DESIGNS FOR HIGH-EFFICIENCY COMMERCIAL SILICON SOLAR CELLS. The aim of this collaboration between the University of New South Wales and BP Solar, both world leaders in high-efficiency commercial photovoltaic technologies, is to develop the rear surface of silicon solar cells to enable commercially competitive photovoltaic modules to exceed 20 percent efficiency. The project will develop new technologies for the rear surface that enable excellent light trapping, low recombination and good electrical interconnection that allow the substantial cost and efficiency benefits promised by the use of silicon wafers approaching 150 microns in thickness.Read moreRead less
Sustainable Technology for Removal of Trace Contaminants in Rural Water Supplies. Provision of safe drinking water treatment using sustainable technology which can be applied in rural locations and emergency situations is the main aim of this project. A hybrid membrane process will be combined with solar energy for the removal of pathogens and trace pollutants such as uranium, fluoride, arsenic, boron and nitrates. The technology will be designed for remote community situations and hence be robu ....Sustainable Technology for Removal of Trace Contaminants in Rural Water Supplies. Provision of safe drinking water treatment using sustainable technology which can be applied in rural locations and emergency situations is the main aim of this project. A hybrid membrane process will be combined with solar energy for the removal of pathogens and trace pollutants such as uranium, fluoride, arsenic, boron and nitrates. The technology will be designed for remote community situations and hence be robust and low in maintenance. Using solar energy is a challenge for trace contaminant removal as the operating conditions vary with the power fluctuations, which presents a substantially different situation to grid power connection.Read moreRead less