Reducing Blackout Risk through Live Modelling and Monitoring. This project aims to reduce the risk of blackouts through the development of on-line systems for modelling and monitoring of loads and power system controllers. This project is a collaboration with Transgrid, Powerlink, Vencorp and ElectraNetSA, four Transmission companies renowned for innovation in the area of system stability. The project proposes to develop innovative algorithms and to implement these algorithms using advanced hard ....Reducing Blackout Risk through Live Modelling and Monitoring. This project aims to reduce the risk of blackouts through the development of on-line systems for modelling and monitoring of loads and power system controllers. This project is a collaboration with Transgrid, Powerlink, Vencorp and ElectraNetSA, four Transmission companies renowned for innovation in the area of system stability. The project proposes to develop innovative algorithms and to implement these algorithms using advanced hardware, software and communication systems to dynamically generate decision tools for safe and efficient power system operating conditions. These systems will also generate alarms if any risky operational situations arise.Read moreRead less
Monitoring and Maintaining the Structural Health of Bridges Using Vibration Characteristics. Bridges form an important part of our physical infrastructure system and in Queensland alone there are nearly 3000 bridges with an annual maintenance cost in excess of 20 million dollars and a replacement value in excess of 2 billion dollars. It is necessary to ensure that these bridges function safely and efficiently at all times. Bridge failure will cause disruption to normal lives and expensive repa ....Monitoring and Maintaining the Structural Health of Bridges Using Vibration Characteristics. Bridges form an important part of our physical infrastructure system and in Queensland alone there are nearly 3000 bridges with an annual maintenance cost in excess of 20 million dollars and a replacement value in excess of 2 billion dollars. It is necessary to ensure that these bridges function safely and efficiently at all times. Bridge failure will cause disruption to normal lives and expensive repairs. Towards this end, this project will develop an innovative structural health monitoring system to monitor and maintain the structural health of our bridges. The project outcomes will have immediate applications in Australia and overseas with economic and social benefits to the community.Read moreRead less
High Efficient and Reliable Power Converters with Low Electromagnetic Interference Based on an Intelligent Distributed Control System in Train Systems. A large percentage of the old train systems in Australia have old equipment which decreases the efficiency and reliability of the system and they can be replaced by high power smart converters with minimum losses and electromagnetic interference. This project aims to improve the efficiency of train systems by intelligent distributed control syste ....High Efficient and Reliable Power Converters with Low Electromagnetic Interference Based on an Intelligent Distributed Control System in Train Systems. A large percentage of the old train systems in Australia have old equipment which decreases the efficiency and reliability of the system and they can be replaced by high power smart converters with minimum losses and electromagnetic interference. This project aims to improve the efficiency of train systems by intelligent distributed control systems which reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The outcomes can be applied to other transport systems in Australia. Another benefit is the production of a PhD graduand with significant experience in the use of smart power converters to improve efficiency of all types of transport systems. Read moreRead less
Performance analysis of the Unified Power Flow Controller based on multi-bridge converter. The objective of this research is to conceive a new configuration of UPFC without series injection transformers, based on two-level full-bridge modules. The conceived system can be utilized for the power systems to control the power flow through the transmission line.
The benefit is in reducing restrictions on electricity transfer links.
The project will develop a laboratory version of the novel UPFC de ....Performance analysis of the Unified Power Flow Controller based on multi-bridge converter. The objective of this research is to conceive a new configuration of UPFC without series injection transformers, based on two-level full-bridge modules. The conceived system can be utilized for the power systems to control the power flow through the transmission line.
The benefit is in reducing restrictions on electricity transfer links.
The project will develop a laboratory version of the novel UPFC demonstrating the hardware and control requirements for this form of UPFC which could reduce the costs of this corrective solution up to 30% below existing solutions.
Read moreRead less
EMERGENCY CONTROL FOR POWER SYSTEM SEPARATION. In 2003 we saw major blackouts of power systems for US/Canada, Italy and London leading to billions of dollars of lost production and major impacts on many peoples lives. One aspect contributing to some of these is the control of system dynamic response and the targeted use of emergency controls such as load and generator shedding. This project is contributing to the development of an integrated control response such that appropriate levels of emerg ....EMERGENCY CONTROL FOR POWER SYSTEM SEPARATION. In 2003 we saw major blackouts of power systems for US/Canada, Italy and London leading to billions of dollars of lost production and major impacts on many peoples lives. One aspect contributing to some of these is the control of system dynamic response and the targeted use of emergency controls such as load and generator shedding. This project is contributing to the development of an integrated control response such that appropriate levels of emergency controls are determined and the probability of cascading blackouts reduced through automated systems. Read moreRead less
Advanced Planning Tools for the Prevention of System-wide Blackouts of Large Power Systems. In 2003 there had been major power blackouts in US/Canada, Italy and in Scandinavia leading to billions of dollars of lost production and had raised concern about national security. Prevention of blackout should be one of the highest priorities of the electricity industry. National security for any critical infrastructure of any country is more vulnerable for a prolonged blackout. This project will provid ....Advanced Planning Tools for the Prevention of System-wide Blackouts of Large Power Systems. In 2003 there had been major power blackouts in US/Canada, Italy and in Scandinavia leading to billions of dollars of lost production and had raised concern about national security. Prevention of blackout should be one of the highest priorities of the electricity industry. National security for any critical infrastructure of any country is more vulnerable for a prolonged blackout. This project will provide comprehensive planning tools to prevent blackouts in the Australian National Electricity grid. Any benefit to electricity industry will finally result in further benefits to the national economy and security as a whole.
Read moreRead less
Investigation of Demand Diversity and Appropriate New Generation Entry into Electricity Market Simulation Tools. The power industry is currently facing a great challenge in providing
better market operation and management following recent devastating blackouts in North America, UK and Italy. This project aims at investigating major mechanisms of market simulation techniques including impacts from load diversity and approaches to defining appropriate new generation entry into the market. From th ....Investigation of Demand Diversity and Appropriate New Generation Entry into Electricity Market Simulation Tools. The power industry is currently facing a great challenge in providing
better market operation and management following recent devastating blackouts in North America, UK and Italy. This project aims at investigating major mechanisms of market simulation techniques including impacts from load diversity and approaches to defining appropriate new generation entry into the market. From the outcome of this project the National Electricity Market will be able to manage the uncertainties of load diversity (one of the most common blackout causes), and efficiently minimise risk associated with decisions on new generation entry to enhance electricity supply infrastructure.
Read moreRead less
POWER DELIVERY IN A DEREGULATED ENVIRONMENT. The recent deregulation of the power industry has opened up new technical challenges that must be addressed in order to ensure fair and equitable market operation. Significant among these is the availability of alternative routes for the delivery of power, between and across different ownerships. In this scenario, a major challenge is to determine the minimum cost contractual arrangement for the delivery of required power. To achieve this, new techniq ....POWER DELIVERY IN A DEREGULATED ENVIRONMENT. The recent deregulation of the power industry has opened up new technical challenges that must be addressed in order to ensure fair and equitable market operation. Significant among these is the availability of alternative routes for the delivery of power, between and across different ownerships. In this scenario, a major challenge is to determine the minimum cost contractual arrangement for the delivery of required power. To achieve this, new techniques for the analysis of power systems are required. This proposal aims to provide solutions to these analysis problems and hence to provide software to assist with market operation.Read moreRead less
Electricity Distribution in the Bush: Operation, Control and Energy Management of Grid Connected Distributed Generation Based Microgrids. Increasing the access of electricity by conventional means to remote areas requires a substantial increase in generating and transmission capacities over what is presently available. These will require large capital expenditure and will increase the levels of emissions of carbon dioxide and various nitrous oxides. As an alternative distributed generation (DG) ....Electricity Distribution in the Bush: Operation, Control and Energy Management of Grid Connected Distributed Generation Based Microgrids. Increasing the access of electricity by conventional means to remote areas requires a substantial increase in generating and transmission capacities over what is presently available. These will require large capital expenditure and will increase the levels of emissions of carbon dioxide and various nitrous oxides. As an alternative distributed generation (DG) using renewable energy resources and alternative fuels can be used to mitigate environmental impacts and cost. This project will contribute to the knowledge of operating a microgrid based on various DG energy sources that will be environmentally friendly and renewable. Community and economic benefits will flow from increased diversity of supply and reduced environmental impacts.Read moreRead less
Stability Analysis and Control for Large Scale Power Systems Incorporating FACTS Devices. Power system stability analysis and control is one of the most important issues in power systems. The problem becomes more serious in power systems with long transmission lines, such as the transmission systems in Australia. The ability of a power system to maintain stability depends to a large extent on the controls available on the system. Consequently, the study and design of power system controls are ve ....Stability Analysis and Control for Large Scale Power Systems Incorporating FACTS Devices. Power system stability analysis and control is one of the most important issues in power systems. The problem becomes more serious in power systems with long transmission lines, such as the transmission systems in Australia. The ability of a power system to maintain stability depends to a large extent on the controls available on the system. Consequently, the study and design of power system controls are very important for expanding systems. This project aims at investigating into stability assessment and control of large scale interconnected power systems incorporating FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission System) devices in a deregulated electricity market.Read moreRead less