Investigation into flow over complex topography and escarpments for wind turbine siting using experimental and computational methods. This project will improve national capability to optimise power production from wind turbine farms in complex terrain by improving the understanding of the flow regime. By better understanding separated regions and the turbulent structures within these regions power production can be optimised and fatigue risks associated with turbine positioning in complex sites ....Investigation into flow over complex topography and escarpments for wind turbine siting using experimental and computational methods. This project will improve national capability to optimise power production from wind turbine farms in complex terrain by improving the understanding of the flow regime. By better understanding separated regions and the turbulent structures within these regions power production can be optimised and fatigue risks associated with turbine positioning in complex sites can be reduced. This will improve confidence in wind farm site assessment techniques and consequently reduce economic risks associated with current wind farm viability assessments. By increasing national capacity to generate clean energy stationary energy emissions can be reduced. This project will also deliver high calibre graduates that will be potential future industry leaders.Read moreRead less
Renewable energy generation from flow-induced vibration. Much engineering effort has been expended to eliminate vibration of marine structures. This project seeks to provide the basis for the development of tidal energy harnessing, by deliberately amplifying and harnessing vibration. This technology offers the promise of capturing clean, zero-emissions energy, while presenting no risk to marine life.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100364
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Understanding winds: energy transfer in rotating turbulent fluids. The Earth's rotation affects how large atmospheric winds and cyclones interact with each other and with the surface of our planet. This controls how the wind energy is distributed in the global atmosphere. By studying rotating turbulence in laboratory experiments, we can improve our understanding of atmospheric dynamics and make better predictions in meteorology, and atmospheric physics.
Fluid-Structure Interactions in Flows through Flexible-Walled Channels. This project seeks to deliver a definitive understanding of the behaviour of steady and pulsating fluid flow through compliant-walled channels and pipes. Novel theoretical stability-analyses and experimental investigations, complemented by targeted numerical simulations, will be developed and used to identify and categorise fluid- and wall-based wave-disturbances and their interactions. This can underpin the development of t ....Fluid-Structure Interactions in Flows through Flexible-Walled Channels. This project seeks to deliver a definitive understanding of the behaviour of steady and pulsating fluid flow through compliant-walled channels and pipes. Novel theoretical stability-analyses and experimental investigations, complemented by targeted numerical simulations, will be developed and used to identify and categorise fluid- and wall-based wave-disturbances and their interactions. This can underpin the development of technologies that control these flows to advantage in both engineered fluid-flow and biologically occurring systems. Robust design guidelines will emerge to safeguard and enhance the use of compliant liners and flexible panels for drag and noise reductions, or to protect surfaces exposed to fluid flows. Read moreRead less
Transport barriers in complex turbulent flows: formation, detection and characterization. Barriers to transport in complex fluid flows are ubiquitous in nature, yet mathematical and numerical approaches have so far been unable to solve this problem in the presence of turbulence. This project aims to undertake the first systematic laboratory study of transport barrier generation, control and interactions to reveal the role of turbulence in the stochastic transport in fluids. It will develop new m ....Transport barriers in complex turbulent flows: formation, detection and characterization. Barriers to transport in complex fluid flows are ubiquitous in nature, yet mathematical and numerical approaches have so far been unable to solve this problem in the presence of turbulence. This project aims to undertake the first systematic laboratory study of transport barrier generation, control and interactions to reveal the role of turbulence in the stochastic transport in fluids. It will develop new methods of transport barrier modelling which will equip specialists dealing with Lagrangian transport with new tools for the transport barrier modelling and characterisation.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100067
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$210,000.00
Summary
Wind profiler network for planetary boundary layer research. Understanding winds in the lower atmosphere is of great fundamental and practical importance. This new wind monitoring network will help Australian scientists to better predict propagation of tropical cyclones, to improve the efficiency of wind energy production, and to better understand atmosphere-ocean interactions affecting weather and climate.
Dynamic tomography: high-resolution, four-dimensional imaging of processes. This project will develop imaging technology that allows us to collect detailed, three dimensional movies of complex, microscopic processes in a laboratory. This technology will have applications in soil science, biology, oil extraction, and carbon sequestration.
Testing theories of two-phase fluid flow in porous media through experiment, imaging and modelling. The process underlying oil extraction, groundwater flow and the sequestration of carbon dioxide is that of one fluid pushing another out of the microscopic spaces in porous rocks and soils. Using the latest three-dimensional X-ray microscopes and computing technology, the project will image and model these fluid flows, allowing theories to be tested for the first time.