Thermal Optimisation of Gigascale Solar Photovoltaics. Large-scale solar photovoltaics are critical to decarbonising the global economy. Sun Cable is developing the world’s largest solar farm in the Northern Territory, and is considering deploying the 5B MAV solar array. At this scale, temperature-induced panel efficiency losses represent a major challenge that must be overcome through thermal performance optimisation. We will build sophisticated multiscale models to simulate and understand the ....Thermal Optimisation of Gigascale Solar Photovoltaics. Large-scale solar photovoltaics are critical to decarbonising the global economy. Sun Cable is developing the world’s largest solar farm in the Northern Territory, and is considering deploying the 5B MAV solar array. At this scale, temperature-induced panel efficiency losses represent a major challenge that must be overcome through thermal performance optimisation. We will build sophisticated multiscale models to simulate and understand the multiple interacting phenomena that cause panel heating, for the first time. This project will create the tools and know-how to optimise array design and solar farm development, delivering major efficiency gains and enhancing the viability of future gigascale solar projects.Read moreRead less
Expanding the scramjet operating envelope through oxygen enrichment. This project aims to investigate the benefits of expanding the operating envelope of scramjets to higher altitudes and speeds by enriching their fuel with oxygen. This is expected to enhance the performance and flexibility of hypersonic air-breathing engines designed to form the core of a more reliable and economical access to space system. Expected outcomes of this project are a validated understanding and mapping of how oxyge ....Expanding the scramjet operating envelope through oxygen enrichment. This project aims to investigate the benefits of expanding the operating envelope of scramjets to higher altitudes and speeds by enriching their fuel with oxygen. This is expected to enhance the performance and flexibility of hypersonic air-breathing engines designed to form the core of a more reliable and economical access to space system. Expected outcomes of this project are a validated understanding and mapping of how oxygen enrichment can augment scramjet thrust at high altitudes and speeds, and a performance evaluation of a launch system optimised for this approach. This could provide significant benefits to the performance of reusable, air-breathing launch technology, where Australia is leading the push towards commercialisation.Read moreRead less
On the Combustion of Green Hydrogen in Future Energy Systems. This project aims to address key fundamental issues that will facilitate the combustion of hydrogen-based fuels for power and mobility. This is achieved by applying advanced laser diagnostics and novel computational methods to turbulent flames of hydrogen fuel blends hence generating new physical knowledge and predictive models. These will provide engineers with essential tools to design and operate fuel-flexible energy systems that s ....On the Combustion of Green Hydrogen in Future Energy Systems. This project aims to address key fundamental issues that will facilitate the combustion of hydrogen-based fuels for power and mobility. This is achieved by applying advanced laser diagnostics and novel computational methods to turbulent flames of hydrogen fuel blends hence generating new physical knowledge and predictive models. These will provide engineers with essential tools to design and operate fuel-flexible energy systems that speed up the critical transition towards employing green hydrogen. Expected outcomes include novel experimental methods and databases, reliable software, and graduates capable of facilitating this transition and accelerating the global decarbonization process while positioning Australia as a hydrogen superpower.Read moreRead less