Frequency and Voltage Stabilisation in Grid-connected Wind Farms Using Pitch-controlled Doubly Fed Induction Generators (DFIGs). Australian power systems are well developed but currently stretched to their maximum capacity and often over loaded. Development of a pitch controlled doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) wind farm is a practical solution to extend the capacities of large interconnected power systems. This research ensures that Australian Power Systems are able to incorporate pitch-c ....Frequency and Voltage Stabilisation in Grid-connected Wind Farms Using Pitch-controlled Doubly Fed Induction Generators (DFIGs). Australian power systems are well developed but currently stretched to their maximum capacity and often over loaded. Development of a pitch controlled doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) wind farm is a practical solution to extend the capacities of large interconnected power systems. This research ensures that Australian Power Systems are able to incorporate pitch-controlled DFIG without sacrificing operational simplicity and flexibility. It allows large scale penetration of renewable wind power into the grid, thereby reducing huge amount of green house gas emissions and delay capital expenditure on critical national assets.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
Variable speed diesel power conversion system using a doubly fed induction generator. The proposed Variable Speed Diesel Generator to be developed as part of this project will use less fuel and run cleaner with reduced wear than conventional generators. The widespread use of this technology in remote area diesel and hybrid power systems with renewable energy sources will result in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The project will result in enhanced national and international market oppor ....Variable speed diesel power conversion system using a doubly fed induction generator. The proposed Variable Speed Diesel Generator to be developed as part of this project will use less fuel and run cleaner with reduced wear than conventional generators. The widespread use of this technology in remote area diesel and hybrid power systems with renewable energy sources will result in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The project will result in enhanced national and international market opportunities for Australian made power generation equipment for rural electrification. This project will enable Australian companies to be on the leading edge of mini to medium size stand-alone mini grid diesel power stations. This will have a significant impact on the economic development and on job creation in AustraliaRead moreRead less
MULTI-FUNCTION POWER ELECTRONIC INTERFACE FOR HYBRID MINI-GRID SYSTEMS. Village electrification represents a high potential market for hybrid power systems. Many stand-alone diesel units are powering mini-grids all around the world and could be retrofitted with renewable power generators and battery storage units. Power electronics, the technology of efficiently processing electric power, plays an essential part in the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and micro-hydro a ....MULTI-FUNCTION POWER ELECTRONIC INTERFACE FOR HYBRID MINI-GRID SYSTEMS. Village electrification represents a high potential market for hybrid power systems. Many stand-alone diesel units are powering mini-grids all around the world and could be retrofitted with renewable power generators and battery storage units. Power electronics, the technology of efficiently processing electric power, plays an essential part in the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and micro-hydro at the electricity distribution level. The objective of this project will be to develop a new generation of core power electronics technology(patent pending)for single phase and medium scale three phase grid-interactive and standalone/hybrid renewable energy applications.Read moreRead less
A HYBRID INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE TREATMENT AND POWER GENERATION. The management of solid wastes is a major global environmental issue and the current practice of landfilling is not a sustainable solution. Biogasification of the organic fraction provides not only a means of waste treatment but also generates a source of energy in the form methane but current technologies are expensive due to the long degradation times. In this project we investigate an innovative waste tr ....A HYBRID INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE TREATMENT AND POWER GENERATION. The management of solid wastes is a major global environmental issue and the current practice of landfilling is not a sustainable solution. Biogasification of the organic fraction provides not only a means of waste treatment but also generates a source of energy in the form methane but current technologies are expensive due to the long degradation times. In this project we investigate an innovative waste treatment system that will cut down the time required for processing wastes by a factor of 10 with considerable economic benefit. We will optimise the integration of this treatment system with a hybrid power generation system that utilises other renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy to deliver quality power at minimal cost.Read moreRead less
Microwave characterisation of new magnetic and dielectric structures and materials. The main goal of the project is to characterize electromagnetic properties of single crystal dielectric and polycrystalline ferrite materials at microwave frequencies, from room temperature down to liquid helium temperature. Also cylindrical and spherical resonant Bragg structures will be investigated using some of these materials. The dielectric rod resonator technique will be used for all materials and the whis ....Microwave characterisation of new magnetic and dielectric structures and materials. The main goal of the project is to characterize electromagnetic properties of single crystal dielectric and polycrystalline ferrite materials at microwave frequencies, from room temperature down to liquid helium temperature. Also cylindrical and spherical resonant Bragg structures will be investigated using some of these materials. The dielectric rod resonator technique will be used for all materials and the whispering gallery mode technique will be used to measure the lowest loss materials. Very accurately measured microwave parameters of electric and magnetic materials will be made available to designers of new components and systems (especially useful for operation at cryogenic temperatures).Read moreRead less
Investigations and characterization of new materials for wireless communications. The main goal of the project is to characterize electromagnetic properties of single crystal dielectric materials available from different sources at microwave frequencies, in a wide range of temperatures from room down to liquid helium temperatures. Two measurement techniques are proposed to be used for this purpose: the dielectric rod resonator technique for all materials and the whispering gallery mode technique ....Investigations and characterization of new materials for wireless communications. The main goal of the project is to characterize electromagnetic properties of single crystal dielectric materials available from different sources at microwave frequencies, in a wide range of temperatures from room down to liquid helium temperatures. Two measurement techniques are proposed to be used for this purpose: the dielectric rod resonator technique for all materials and the whispering gallery mode technique to measure the lowest loss materials. A principal benefit to wireless communication is that very accurately measured microwave parameters of electronic materials will be made available to designers of new components and systems (especially useful for operation at cryogenic temperatures).Read moreRead less
Vegetable Oils as Dielectric Liquid for Oil Filled Distribution and Power Transformers. A new transformer cooling and insulating liquid is proposed from vegetable oil seeds available in Australia. The proposed liquid will be fully biodegradable and non-toxic and will cause no harm in the event of explosions or accidental leakage from a transformer. Approximately, 30 to 40 billion liters of oils are in use in transformers worldwide. The development of this liquid requires selection of suitable ve ....Vegetable Oils as Dielectric Liquid for Oil Filled Distribution and Power Transformers. A new transformer cooling and insulating liquid is proposed from vegetable oil seeds available in Australia. The proposed liquid will be fully biodegradable and non-toxic and will cause no harm in the event of explosions or accidental leakage from a transformer. Approximately, 30 to 40 billion liters of oils are in use in transformers worldwide. The development of this liquid requires selection of suitable vegetable oil base;thermal and oxidation stabilization; electrical performance,biodegradability,and endurance testings, viscosity and pour point improvements, compatibility tests with existing oils, and characterization of its gassing phenomena. The development of this new liquid from local oil seeds will provide the Australian industry huge export potentials. The prject will also provide Australian farmers a new avenue for their oilseed market.Read moreRead less
Spin dependent transport in magnetic nanostructures. The ability to use electron spin in electronic circuits has opened new possibilities for designing devices. A well known example is the giant magnetoresistance, a phenomena discovered over fifteen years ago that now plays a key role in current high density magnetic disc drives. Future developments will involve spin dependent transport through structures wherein quantum interference effects will be important. Two basic problems facing the cons ....Spin dependent transport in magnetic nanostructures. The ability to use electron spin in electronic circuits has opened new possibilities for designing devices. A well known example is the giant magnetoresistance, a phenomena discovered over fifteen years ago that now plays a key role in current high density magnetic disc drives. Future developments will involve spin dependent transport through structures wherein quantum interference effects will be important. Two basic problems facing the construction of a complete theory of transport in such ?mesoscopic? conductors will be solved in this project. The results will provide important insights into the dynamics of spin transport through structures such as magnetic nano-wires.Read moreRead less
Development of Optical Clocks and Their Applications to Precision Frequency Measurements and Time Keeping. The goal of the proposed international researcher exchange program is to enhance the ongoing collaboration between the Frequency Standards and Metrology (FSM) Group at the University of Western Australia and leading US research institutions, including National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the field of (i) laser cooled atomic frequency standards, (ii) methods of optical ....Development of Optical Clocks and Their Applications to Precision Frequency Measurements and Time Keeping. The goal of the proposed international researcher exchange program is to enhance the ongoing collaboration between the Frequency Standards and Metrology (FSM) Group at the University of Western Australia and leading US research institutions, including National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the field of (i) laser cooled atomic frequency standards, (ii) methods of optical frequency synthesis and coherent time transfer between widely separated parts of electromagnetic spectrum and (iii) generation of low noise microwave signals directly from frequency stabilised ultra-fast pulsed lasers.Read moreRead less