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
Computing transient inflow receptivity with application to high-lift airfoils. Applications of the research will lead to more efficient wind and gas turbines, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions in power generation and air transport. The project will provide high-level research training for a Research Fellow and a PhD student in an emerging area that links fundamental fluid mechanics, optimal control and optimal engineering design. Also the project will foster international collaboration w ....Computing transient inflow receptivity with application to high-lift airfoils. Applications of the research will lead to more efficient wind and gas turbines, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions in power generation and air transport. The project will provide high-level research training for a Research Fellow and a PhD student in an emerging area that links fundamental fluid mechanics, optimal control and optimal engineering design. Also the project will foster international collaboration with partner researchers and organizations in the United Kingdom.Read moreRead less
Harnessing the power of oceans: anchors for floating energy devices. This project aims to establish a geotechnical design framework for shared anchoring systems subjected to multidirectional cyclic loading for large integrated arrays of floating wind turbines and floating wave energy converters. This is expected to facilitate new, economic foundation solutions, generating radical cost savings to help unlock Australia's renewable ocean energy resources. The project aims to utilise a blend of stat ....Harnessing the power of oceans: anchors for floating energy devices. This project aims to establish a geotechnical design framework for shared anchoring systems subjected to multidirectional cyclic loading for large integrated arrays of floating wind turbines and floating wave energy converters. This is expected to facilitate new, economic foundation solutions, generating radical cost savings to help unlock Australia's renewable ocean energy resources. The project aims to utilise a blend of state-of-the-art centrifuge modelling techniques and numerical modelling, incorporating an energy-based method and yield envelopes. This innovative methodology aims to establish a validated framework for understanding and predicting foundation performance under the complex load histories arising in renewable ocean energy applications.Read moreRead less
Wide Speed Range, Inverterless, Constant Current Mode Alternator. Increasing auxiliary electric power demands in cars due to proposed new features such as electromechanical valves and active suspension has created a pressing need for a higher power car alternator. There has also been a continuing need for improved alternators for small-scale renewable energy generation such as wind turbines. These applications require the lowest possible cost solution which meets the challenging technical spec ....Wide Speed Range, Inverterless, Constant Current Mode Alternator. Increasing auxiliary electric power demands in cars due to proposed new features such as electromechanical valves and active suspension has created a pressing need for a higher power car alternator. There has also been a continuing need for improved alternators for small-scale renewable energy generation such as wind turbines. These applications require the lowest possible cost solution which meets the challenging technical specifications. Present research in this area is focussed on expensive inverter-based methods. We propose a low-cost, "inverterless" alternator configuration based on a specially-designed interior permanent magnet machine operating in a new current source mode.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882471
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,000.00
Summary
Three-Dimensional Optical Laser Velocimetry for the HRNBLWT (High Reynolds Number Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel). The experimental information that can be gained from this infrastructure would lead to significant advances in understanding turbulent flows, which would impact a broad range of engineering and geophysical fields. Some specific examples include the development of efficient turbulence control strategies for the reduction of skin-friction drag and improved combustion processes, resulting ....Three-Dimensional Optical Laser Velocimetry for the HRNBLWT (High Reynolds Number Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel). The experimental information that can be gained from this infrastructure would lead to significant advances in understanding turbulent flows, which would impact a broad range of engineering and geophysical fields. Some specific examples include the development of efficient turbulence control strategies for the reduction of skin-friction drag and improved combustion processes, resulting in not only better fuel efficiency for vehicles but also reduced CO2 and pollutant emissions. Significant advances could also be made in the area of understanding the dispersion of particles, including pollutants, in the atmosphere; wind turbine design and implementation strategies, and climate change modelling.Read moreRead less
Understanding and modifying vortex structures in wind turbine wakes. At a fundamental research level, Australia's active participation in this area of national priority and research strength will be advanced through our published research, which will increase our understanding of wind turbine wakes and their effects in wind farms. This understanding will then be used to produce improved methods of predicting wind turbine performance. Such methods are needed by wind energy designers to produce b ....Understanding and modifying vortex structures in wind turbine wakes. At a fundamental research level, Australia's active participation in this area of national priority and research strength will be advanced through our published research, which will increase our understanding of wind turbine wakes and their effects in wind farms. This understanding will then be used to produce improved methods of predicting wind turbine performance. Such methods are needed by wind energy designers to produce better wind farms. It will also be used to recommend how to improve the aerodynamic design of turbine components, such as the blades and hub. Numerical tools will be developed for industry use, and training will be provided to personnel, thereby increasing the capabilities of Australia's growing wind energy industry.Read moreRead less
Quantifying the impact of wind farm noise on rural communities. This project is directed at quantifying the level and character of wind farm noise experienced by rural communities, to gain an understanding of the likelihood of the emitted sound causing the medical symptoms experienced by these communities. The outcome will be an accurate prediction model that covers infrasound, the audio range and modulation.
Design and development of an innovative next generation wind driven rotating ventilator. With increasing environmental awareness, the demand for a wind-driven rotating ventilator for natural ventilation in dwellings, factories and transport vehicles is rising dramatically. This device requires no expenditure to operate or maintain and is pollution-free. However, significant safety concerns for its operation in high wind and rain remain. This project will facilitate a greater understanding of the ....Design and development of an innovative next generation wind driven rotating ventilator. With increasing environmental awareness, the demand for a wind-driven rotating ventilator for natural ventilation in dwellings, factories and transport vehicles is rising dramatically. This device requires no expenditure to operate or maintain and is pollution-free. However, significant safety concerns for its operation in high wind and rain remain. This project will facilitate a greater understanding of the complex flow phenomenon and produce innovative aerodynamic and smart solutions. The outcomes will establish Australia as the leading provider of air quality and comfort in the world, benefit particularly the rural sector and have significant positive impact on the national economy and environment.Read moreRead less
Resolving the mechanics of wind turbine noise production. This project will investigate how wind turbines produce noise. It will do this by developing the most sophisticated wind turbine noise experiment in the world, which will allow the construction of better designed wind farms, better public policy and new noise control technologies.
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354551
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Network for Renewable Energy. The proposed Research Network will integrate and coordinate the entire research field of renewable energy in Australia. This Network covers a diverse range of technologies, and includes all prominent researchers in the area of renewable energy in Australia. The Network is strengthened by the inclusion of key people from government agencies, industry, industry associations and international research organisations.
Australia is a leading player in the ....ARC Research Network for Renewable Energy. The proposed Research Network will integrate and coordinate the entire research field of renewable energy in Australia. This Network covers a diverse range of technologies, and includes all prominent researchers in the area of renewable energy in Australia. The Network is strengthened by the inclusion of key people from government agencies, industry, industry associations and international research organisations.
Australia is a leading player in the world's renewable energy industry. An effective structure for networking and for the exchange of people, information and research results will maintain and improve Australia's position in this rapidly growing industry.Read moreRead less