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
Oxygen-18 in water, carbon dioxide, and organic matter: a tool for linking plant biological processes, hydrology and climate change. The globe is warming but pan evaporation is decreasing, because the world is dimming. We do not understand why. Stable, naturally occurring oxygen isotopes in plants (for example, tree rings) and in the carbon dioxide of the atmosphere vary and record climatic changes and physiological responses. Bringing these disparate areas of research together will help us to i ....Oxygen-18 in water, carbon dioxide, and organic matter: a tool for linking plant biological processes, hydrology and climate change. The globe is warming but pan evaporation is decreasing, because the world is dimming. We do not understand why. Stable, naturally occurring oxygen isotopes in plants (for example, tree rings) and in the carbon dioxide of the atmosphere vary and record climatic changes and physiological responses. Bringing these disparate areas of research together will help us to interpret the changes and responses. Such information is needed for planning future water requirements in Australia (agriculture, natural ecosystems, dams) and around the world. The isotopic composition of tree rings and of the atmospheric carbon dioxide is affected by that in water of leaves, and the processes linking them will be studied in detail. Read moreRead less
Optimal Control of Modular Multilevel Power Electronic Converter Systems for Electrical Distribution Networks. This project will improve the national capability to use multilevel power electronic converter systems to help operate and maintain more efficient electrical distribution networks. The outcomes of the project will also contribute to the implementation into electrical distribution systems of renewable and distributed energy generation systems, and hence will help to reduce greenhouse ga ....Optimal Control of Modular Multilevel Power Electronic Converter Systems for Electrical Distribution Networks. This project will improve the national capability to use multilevel power electronic converter systems to help operate and maintain more efficient electrical distribution networks. The outcomes of the project will also contribute to the implementation into electrical distribution systems of renewable and distributed energy generation systems, and hence will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, it is anticipated that the control strategies to be investigated could lead to subsequent commercial developments with local industries. Finally, the project will foster and develop international links in power electronics between Monash University, and leading-edge international research groups in the area around the world.Read moreRead less
The modelling and estimation of volatility in energy markets. The growing trend of deregulation of energy markets poses important problems for users and suppliers of energy as well as for government policy makers. In particular it has become necessary to manage the risk of unexpected load and price fluctuations. One of the main challenges concerns the extreme volatility of prices and the evaluation of derivative prices and hedging ratios to take account of volatility. The outcomes of project wil ....The modelling and estimation of volatility in energy markets. The growing trend of deregulation of energy markets poses important problems for users and suppliers of energy as well as for government policy makers. In particular it has become necessary to manage the risk of unexpected load and price fluctuations. One of the main challenges concerns the extreme volatility of prices and the evaluation of derivative prices and hedging ratios to take account of volatility. The outcomes of project will be of benefit to all participants in Australian energy markets who need to use derivative positions to hedge energy risk. This issue has become important due to the increasing national focus on efficient use of energy resources.Read moreRead less
Frequency and Voltage Stabilisation in Grid-connected Wind Farms Using Pitch-controlled Doubly Fed Induction Generators (DFIGs). Australian power systems are well developed but currently stretched to their maximum capacity and often over loaded. Development of a pitch controlled doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) wind farm is a practical solution to extend the capacities of large interconnected power systems. This research ensures that Australian Power Systems are able to incorporate pitch-c ....Frequency and Voltage Stabilisation in Grid-connected Wind Farms Using Pitch-controlled Doubly Fed Induction Generators (DFIGs). Australian power systems are well developed but currently stretched to their maximum capacity and often over loaded. Development of a pitch controlled doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) wind farm is a practical solution to extend the capacities of large interconnected power systems. This research ensures that Australian Power Systems are able to incorporate pitch-controlled DFIG without sacrificing operational simplicity and flexibility. It allows large scale penetration of renewable wind power into the grid, thereby reducing huge amount of green house gas emissions and delay capital expenditure on critical national assets.Read moreRead less
Development of High Frequency and High Power Density Magnetics and its Integrated Magnetic Circuit for Solar Renewable Energy Conversion Systems. The proposed project will result in theoretical and practical contributions to the field of high frequency (HF) magnetics and computational electromagnetics based computer modelling technologies for the power converter used in solar PV systems and high power density converters. The project will provide industry with several novel HF magnetic structures ....Development of High Frequency and High Power Density Magnetics and its Integrated Magnetic Circuit for Solar Renewable Energy Conversion Systems. The proposed project will result in theoretical and practical contributions to the field of high frequency (HF) magnetics and computational electromagnetics based computer modelling technologies for the power converter used in solar PV systems and high power density converters. The project will provide industry with several novel HF magnetic structures and the associated design methodology, and an innovative technology to industry and society with following major benefits: a) increased productivity and minimization of product risk, b) faster project management cycles through the use of cost-effective new design methodology, and c) an improved problem solving environment for scientific research and commercial applications.Read moreRead less