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
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.
Robust electricity networks accommodating high levels of renewables. Increased wind and solar power are an essential part of greenhouse gas reduction. This project develops innovative network controls using remote measurements for transmission robustness and control on customer demand management to control voltage. These steps will make the electricity supply system robust to high levels of renewable generation.
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
An optimal electrical drive system for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This project aims to develop an optimal electrical drive system for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a novel hybrid powertrain architecture governed by a smart energy management strategy, and to train high quality PhD students. The outcomes will provide an innovative clean and efficient transport solution and greatly strengthen the Australian automotive industry.
Electrical insulation diagnostics for high voltage power cable systems based on voltage excitation at very low frequency. High voltage power cable systems rely on their insulation to withstand very severe electric stress without breakdown. Field testing of cables at normal frequency is not feasible, but with very low frequency excitation from mobile sources such testing is possible. The overarching aim of this project is to develop methods for interpretation of results from such measurements. It ....Electrical insulation diagnostics for high voltage power cable systems based on voltage excitation at very low frequency. High voltage power cable systems rely on their insulation to withstand very severe electric stress without breakdown. Field testing of cables at normal frequency is not feasible, but with very low frequency excitation from mobile sources such testing is possible. The overarching aim of this project is to develop methods for interpretation of results from such measurements. It is intended that this will enable formulation of appropriate test procedures and better assessment of insulation conditions in service-aged cables. Also of considerable significance to fundamental research will be the project’s goal of a better physical understanding of insulation material behaviour when subject to very low frequency electric stress.Read moreRead less
Stability Assessment of Australia’s Future Electrical Grids. This project aims to identify important conceptual gap in the understanding of inherent coupling between synchronous and non-synchronous generation systems, with a focus on potential adverse effect due to their fundamentally different underlying physical principles. New discoveries in physical properties and dynamic couplings will be applied to provide a more accurate representation of system dynamics under low system strength conditio ....Stability Assessment of Australia’s Future Electrical Grids. This project aims to identify important conceptual gap in the understanding of inherent coupling between synchronous and non-synchronous generation systems, with a focus on potential adverse effect due to their fundamentally different underlying physical principles. New discoveries in physical properties and dynamic couplings will be applied to provide a more accurate representation of system dynamics under low system strength conditions, revealing root causes of different instability phenomena. Expected outcomes include a suite of models for future electrical grids, improved knowledge about how renewable units respond to various system disturbance, a platform for dynamic simulation and novel tools for stability assessment.Read moreRead less
Wide-area interconnected clean energy highway. This project aims to facilitate the deployment of the clean energy highway, an integrated electricity and gas network. Renewable energy sources, advanced transmission facilities and power-to-gas technologies are changing energy systems. All these changes, while potentially making energy systems more responsive, efficient and resilient, also make implementation difficult. This project aims to make implementation easier to ensure more sustainable solu ....Wide-area interconnected clean energy highway. This project aims to facilitate the deployment of the clean energy highway, an integrated electricity and gas network. Renewable energy sources, advanced transmission facilities and power-to-gas technologies are changing energy systems. All these changes, while potentially making energy systems more responsive, efficient and resilient, also make implementation difficult. This project aims to make implementation easier to ensure more sustainable solutions for energy generation, delivery and use in this new energy era. The expected outcome is a sound and robust suite of models and associated methodologies to study, analyse and design the clean energy highway.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100370
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
High-voltage DC grids for flexible and efficient electricity transmission. This project aims to design a high-voltage DC transmission network. Integrating large amounts of low-emission, renewable energy into the electricity network requires a transmission network capable of handling intermittency and high variability. This project will develop and functionally demonstrate a high-voltage DC transmission network based on modular multilevel power electronics converters as the future backbone of the ....High-voltage DC grids for flexible and efficient electricity transmission. This project aims to design a high-voltage DC transmission network. Integrating large amounts of low-emission, renewable energy into the electricity network requires a transmission network capable of handling intermittency and high variability. This project will develop and functionally demonstrate a high-voltage DC transmission network based on modular multilevel power electronics converters as the future backbone of the transmission network, as an extension and in support of the existing AC network. This project is expected to contribute to a low-carbon, sustainable development of the electricity transmission sector, while maintaining high levels of stability, resilience and security of supply.Read moreRead less