Compact reliable fault-tolerant modular high power converters. Compact reliable fault-tolerant modular high power converters. This project aims to deliver new and advanced converter hardware and control designs with drastically smaller reactive components that are cheaper to convert, more reliable and compact. Voltage and current-sourced modular multilevel converters have delivered the required voltage/current/power ratings for utility applications such as static compensators and high-voltage di ....Compact reliable fault-tolerant modular high power converters. Compact reliable fault-tolerant modular high power converters. This project aims to deliver new and advanced converter hardware and control designs with drastically smaller reactive components that are cheaper to convert, more reliable and compact. Voltage and current-sourced modular multilevel converters have delivered the required voltage/current/power ratings for utility applications such as static compensators and high-voltage direct current transmission. However, these energy storage components, including embedded batteries, are overwhelmingly large. Anticipated outcomes are that compact, cheaper and even more efficient power electronic energy converters will enable much needed sustainable energy grids; reduce the cost of integrating renewable energy generation in the grid and achieve even more efficient electronic control of electric systems.Read moreRead less
New topologies optimised for co-located grid connected photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems. When a grid connected photovoltaic (PV) system and battery storage are co-located, many advantages can be gained by sharing and optimising the grid connection power electronics (DC-DC converters and DC-AC inverters). The specific aims of this project are to identify existing, and then develop and compare new, system topologies and configurations, for grid connecting co-located PV and (battery) s ....New topologies optimised for co-located grid connected photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems. When a grid connected photovoltaic (PV) system and battery storage are co-located, many advantages can be gained by sharing and optimising the grid connection power electronics (DC-DC converters and DC-AC inverters). The specific aims of this project are to identify existing, and then develop and compare new, system topologies and configurations, for grid connecting co-located PV and (battery) storage in the low voltage AC distribution network. Different optimal solutions including new solutions are expected for single and three phase systems, for varying power levels from one kilowatt to one megawatt, and for varying load shapes (for example, residential vs commercial).Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC210100021
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre in Energy Technologies for Future Grids. The proposed Future Grids Training Centre will advance Australia’s transition to a clean energy future. It will address the complex and challenging issues currently limiting the growth of renewable energy through innovations that facilitate widespread integration of these resources into electricity grids while maintaining grid stability. The Centre will deliver the next generation of industry leaders and specialists in future grid tech ....ARC Training Centre in Energy Technologies for Future Grids. The proposed Future Grids Training Centre will advance Australia’s transition to a clean energy future. It will address the complex and challenging issues currently limiting the growth of renewable energy through innovations that facilitate widespread integration of these resources into electricity grids while maintaining grid stability. The Centre will deliver the next generation of industry leaders and specialists in future grid technologies for renewable energy generation, transmission and distribution, supported by renewable hydrogen energy storage and market driven customer responsiveness enabled by new information and communications technologies, to provide a more sustainable, reliable, secure and affordable electricity system.Read moreRead less
Advanced Modular Reconfigurable Energy Storage and Conversion Systems. The project aims to develop advanced, modular, reconfigurable energy conversion systems utilising lithium-titanate batteries. Battery energy storage is critical to energy security and integration of increased renewable generation with the electricity grid. However, its high cost prohibits its wide commercial acceptance. The proposed system avoids a large number of series connections of batteries and raises the voltage by usin ....Advanced Modular Reconfigurable Energy Storage and Conversion Systems. The project aims to develop advanced, modular, reconfigurable energy conversion systems utilising lithium-titanate batteries. Battery energy storage is critical to energy security and integration of increased renewable generation with the electricity grid. However, its high cost prohibits its wide commercial acceptance. The proposed system avoids a large number of series connections of batteries and raises the voltage by using series connection of high-frequency isolated converters for transformerless interconnection of such battery energy storage systems with the grid. The project outcomes include new grid support technologies.Read moreRead less
Dynamic model and mechanical sensorless controller for a novel concentrated-winding interior permanent magnet machine for electric vehicles. The fractional-slot, concentrated-wound (FSCW) interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine offers very high power density, efficiency and constant-power speed range which are properties sought after for electric vehicles. Accurate mathematical models are essential for high performance control of the FSCW machine. This project seeks to develop these models, as w ....Dynamic model and mechanical sensorless controller for a novel concentrated-winding interior permanent magnet machine for electric vehicles. The fractional-slot, concentrated-wound (FSCW) interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine offers very high power density, efficiency and constant-power speed range which are properties sought after for electric vehicles. Accurate mathematical models are essential for high performance control of the FSCW machine. This project seeks to develop these models, as well as sensorless controllers for the FSCW IPM machine.Read moreRead less
Regulation of the Cell Bus Voltages of Large Scale Modular Multilevel Converters: Advanced Energy Converters for Future Electricity Grids. Large scale power electronic converters are essential to the emerging “Smart Grid” electrical distribution networks, using large numbers of cascaded cells to operate at the very high voltages that are required for direct grid connection. At present, the fundamental factors that drive the fluctuations of the cell DC link voltages, including in particular the c ....Regulation of the Cell Bus Voltages of Large Scale Modular Multilevel Converters: Advanced Energy Converters for Future Electricity Grids. Large scale power electronic converters are essential to the emerging “Smart Grid” electrical distribution networks, using large numbers of cascaded cells to operate at the very high voltages that are required for direct grid connection. At present, the fundamental factors that drive the fluctuations of the cell DC link voltages, including in particular the complex non-linear interactions caused by the physical cell switching processes, are very poorly understood. This project will use a new harmonic analysis strategy to investigate the basic engineering science that underpins this voltage fluctuation phenomena, to achieve a quantum step in the understanding of the fundamental operating processes of large scale cascaded converters.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100473
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,573.00
Summary
Breaking Performance Limits of Solar Inverters for a Sustainable Future. Micro-inverters offer a unique ability to maximise solar energy yield and streamline the installation, operation and maintenance process of solar power generation, thus having huge potentials to drastically reduce the cost of solar electricity. However, performance limits have hampered their wider applications in the energy sector. This project aims to tackle the performance challenges of micro-inverters by developing a nov ....Breaking Performance Limits of Solar Inverters for a Sustainable Future. Micro-inverters offer a unique ability to maximise solar energy yield and streamline the installation, operation and maintenance process of solar power generation, thus having huge potentials to drastically reduce the cost of solar electricity. However, performance limits have hampered their wider applications in the energy sector. This project aims to tackle the performance challenges of micro-inverters by developing a novel power-conversion architecture, a unified design framework, and a new control theory. The intended research outcome will be a new range of ultra-high-performance micro-inverters. This will promote greater solar uptake and maintain Australia’s leadership in the development of disruptive solar power generation technology.Read moreRead less