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
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
Increased power transfer capacity through Static Var Compensator (SVC) control. Smart grids in power transmission will enable better use of existing infrastructure reducing the required investment for moving power between states. The project proposes the use of advanced measurement and control algorithms to make a step change in the operation of the national network with focus on the Queensland-New South Wales link.
Transforming Microgrid to Virtual Power Plant –ICT Frameworks,Tools,Control. The project aims to enhance large scale renewable penetrations to national power grid by advancing control, optimization, and ancillary services of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), considering different disruptive events including recent South Australian blackout. This project expects to create new control, frame communication architecture, develop plug and play type IoT enabled grid interfacing inverter, and optimize resou ....Transforming Microgrid to Virtual Power Plant –ICT Frameworks,Tools,Control. The project aims to enhance large scale renewable penetrations to national power grid by advancing control, optimization, and ancillary services of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), considering different disruptive events including recent South Australian blackout. This project expects to create new control, frame communication architecture, develop plug and play type IoT enabled grid interfacing inverter, and optimize resource management for distributed VPPs. The anticipated benefits from this institutional level collaborations are that VPPs help in enhancing national power grid operations during normal and disruptive conditions when more renewables are connected and also secure benefits of consumers, prosumers, and grid operators.Read moreRead less
Design, build and test a fault current limiter employing magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconducting coils. Recent occurrences of blackouts around the world caused immeasurable damage to electrical network hardware in the range of $10M, however, the losses from an unavailable network are much more. The CIs and Zenergy Power Pty Ltd (formerly Australian Superconductors) have been developing saturated core fault current limiters (FCL) since 1999. The first saturated core fault current limiter employ ....Design, build and test a fault current limiter employing magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconducting coils. Recent occurrences of blackouts around the world caused immeasurable damage to electrical network hardware in the range of $10M, however, the losses from an unavailable network are much more. The CIs and Zenergy Power Pty Ltd (formerly Australian Superconductors) have been developing saturated core fault current limiters (FCL) since 1999. The first saturated core fault current limiter employing the Australian's entity's technology was installed in California. The aim of this proposal is to extend this technology to demonstrate next generation FCL using a newly developed superconductor magnesium diboride (MgB2) wire which is cheaper and easier to manufacture than high temperature superconductors and the CIs' group hold strong IP on nano-scale chemically doped MgB2 wires.Read moreRead less
Parallel operating stand-alone renewable energy microgrids for remote area power systems. This project aims to develop a remote area power supply that minimises the use of diesel in meeting the energy needs of remote communities and mining camps. Based on the concept of parallel operating AC-DC hybrid microgrids supplied by renewable energy sources, backed up by advanced battery energy storage and high-efficiency variable speed diesel engine, the project proposes to design and develop power syst ....Parallel operating stand-alone renewable energy microgrids for remote area power systems. This project aims to develop a remote area power supply that minimises the use of diesel in meeting the energy needs of remote communities and mining camps. Based on the concept of parallel operating AC-DC hybrid microgrids supplied by renewable energy sources, backed up by advanced battery energy storage and high-efficiency variable speed diesel engine, the project proposes to design and develop power system components and their control, protection and communication methods.Read moreRead less
Monitoring and Management System for Smart Distribution Networks. This project aims to develop, implement and test an innovative state estimation algorithm for monitoring low voltage electricity distribution networks. The proposed system is an essential step to enable a range of smart network applications to manage peak network loads and increasing amounts of solar photovoltaic generation. The project includes a prototype application and field trial for managing the operational state of part of ....Monitoring and Management System for Smart Distribution Networks. This project aims to develop, implement and test an innovative state estimation algorithm for monitoring low voltage electricity distribution networks. The proposed system is an essential step to enable a range of smart network applications to manage peak network loads and increasing amounts of solar photovoltaic generation. The project includes a prototype application and field trial for managing the operational state of part of the network to keep within safe loading limits. It may also facilitate future new technologies such as demand-side management, energy storage and electric vehicles. By managing peak loading, the project could defer or eliminate capital-intensive network augmentations and associated customer electricity price increases.Read moreRead less
Bushfire safety improvements for rural electricity networks using hybrid fault detection incorporating distributed observations of travelling waves. Electrical faults in distribution networks can result in catastrophic bush fires. The existing fault detection methods are known to be incapable of detecting many faults. This project will develop improved protection methods that detect travelling waves produced by dangerous faults such as fallen lines and vegetation contacts.
Solid state regulation of a distribution transformer to rapidly control voltages of low voltage distribution feeders. High penetration of domestic photovoltaic generation creates substantial voltage fluctuations along the electrical supply system. This project will explore how to use solid state electronics to create distribution transformers with advanced capability that can regulate these voltage fluctuations better than present technologies.