Improved design and control of brushless doubly-fed reluctance machine generators for wind power applications. The growing importance of the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the coming years is driving the increased usage of renewable energy sources such as wind power. Currently the cost of wind energy is considerably higher than fossil fuel energy sources. Part of the reason for this is the initial cost and ongoing maintenance of the wind turbines. The proposed research considers a n ....Improved design and control of brushless doubly-fed reluctance machine generators for wind power applications. The growing importance of the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the coming years is driving the increased usage of renewable energy sources such as wind power. Currently the cost of wind energy is considerably higher than fossil fuel energy sources. Part of the reason for this is the initial cost and ongoing maintenance of the wind turbines. The proposed research considers a new kind of generator based on the Brushless Doubly Fed Machine (BDFRM) that has the potential to lower the initial cost of the generator/inverter hardware of the wind turbine, and also decrease the ongoing maintenance costs. If the research is able to show that the BDFRM is able to realise its potential, then this will aid the further use of wind energy.Read moreRead less
Improved Capacitor Voltage Balance for Multicell Power Electronic Converters Controlled by Spectrally Optimal Modulation. There is a growing demand for high power and medium voltage energy conversion systems in a wide range of applications, including Rail, Renewable Energy, Defence and Electricity Distribution. Multicell-type multilevel converters are a very attractive means of satisfying this demand, but only if the cell voltages can be precisely regulated so as to ensure protection of the conv ....Improved Capacitor Voltage Balance for Multicell Power Electronic Converters Controlled by Spectrally Optimal Modulation. There is a growing demand for high power and medium voltage energy conversion systems in a wide range of applications, including Rail, Renewable Energy, Defence and Electricity Distribution. Multicell-type multilevel converters are a very attractive means of satisfying this demand, but only if the cell voltages can be precisely regulated so as to ensure protection of the converter while simultaneously ensuring the synthesis of switched waveforms with the required spectral quality. This project offers the potential to eliminate this barrier to the use of Multicell converter technology. In addition this project emphasises the development and training of people skilled in the design and development of this technology.Read moreRead less
Integration of Solar, Wind and Storage Systems into Distribution Grids for Network Support. This project will contribute to the development and utilisation of renewable energy technologies for a sustainable future and facilitate their integration into electricity grids for network support. Innovative methodologies and technologies will be developed to reduce network problems associated with the integration of a large number of small-scale renewable energy resources into distribution grids. This ....Integration of Solar, Wind and Storage Systems into Distribution Grids for Network Support. This project will contribute to the development and utilisation of renewable energy technologies for a sustainable future and facilitate their integration into electricity grids for network support. Innovative methodologies and technologies will be developed to reduce network problems associated with the integration of a large number of small-scale renewable energy resources into distribution grids. This project will also develop assessment tools to examine the impact of renewable energy penetration on power quality aspects, network stability and protection performance. This research will provide remedies for potential problems introduced by their integration and improve voltage support in the electricity networks. Read moreRead less
A compact microphone array system for outdoor low frequency noise measurements. To investigate the impact of wind farm noise on surrounding communities, the sound level caused by wind turbines must be accurately measured, which sometimes is hard due to wind induced noise and other interference noise. This project aims to propose a novel compact microphone array solution, where the wind induced noise is attenuated by a specially designed windproof shell first, and then the residual wind induced n ....A compact microphone array system for outdoor low frequency noise measurements. To investigate the impact of wind farm noise on surrounding communities, the sound level caused by wind turbines must be accurately measured, which sometimes is hard due to wind induced noise and other interference noise. This project aims to propose a novel compact microphone array solution, where the wind induced noise is attenuated by a specially designed windproof shell first, and then the residual wind induced noise and other interference noise are further filtered out by a specific adaptive noise cancellation algorithm based on the spherical and differential microphone array structure. With the proposed system, the measurement configuration size is expected to be reduced from the current few metres to less than 10 centimetres, and with better accuracy.Read moreRead less
Harmonic suppression and delay compensation for inverters. The aim of this project is to use variable prediction horizon nonlinear model predictive control to achieve near perfect harmonic suppression for inverters in the face of realistic and unavoidable switching delays. Other aims include further performance improvement based on the application of Kalman observer, and extension of the ideas to a variety of switching topologies and validation of the results by simulation and experiments. The i ....Harmonic suppression and delay compensation for inverters. The aim of this project is to use variable prediction horizon nonlinear model predictive control to achieve near perfect harmonic suppression for inverters in the face of realistic and unavoidable switching delays. Other aims include further performance improvement based on the application of Kalman observer, and extension of the ideas to a variety of switching topologies and validation of the results by simulation and experiments. The intended main outcome of the project is the development of a methodology for non-interfering operation of inverters, particularly, in grid connected applications. This is expected to facilitate a further integration of renewable energy and highly efficient power utilisation. Both factors are crucial in the sustainable clean energy future.Read moreRead less
Advanced Microgrids for Residential, Commercial and Industry Buildings. The project aims to develop and commercialise an Advanced Microgrid Energy-Management System (AM-EMS) to enhance the energy efficiency of residential, commercial and industry buildings. It will allow the industry partner to integrate their existing products in AM-EMS with maximum returns. The intended outcome of the project is an AM-EMS with optimised energy scheduling and distribution, incorporating renewable energy sources ....Advanced Microgrids for Residential, Commercial and Industry Buildings. The project aims to develop and commercialise an Advanced Microgrid Energy-Management System (AM-EMS) to enhance the energy efficiency of residential, commercial and industry buildings. It will allow the industry partner to integrate their existing products in AM-EMS with maximum returns. The intended outcome of the project is an AM-EMS with optimised energy scheduling and distribution, incorporating renewable energy sources and battery storage systems. End-users will benefit from reduced energy costs, improved energy efficiency and reliability, with the added benefit of new and innovative clean energy technology. The research community will benefit from new knowledge that will underpin international improvements in energy efficiency.Read moreRead less
A hybrid system framework for robust model predictive control. This project will produce new analysis and design tools to develop novel hybrid model predictive control systems with guaranteed stability, robustness and fault tolerance. We foresee major benefits for Australia by enhancing its scientific reputation and by promoting safety, efficiency and technological innovation in industries and services.