Reducing Blackout Risk through Live Modelling and Monitoring. This project aims to reduce the risk of blackouts through the development of on-line systems for modelling and monitoring of loads and power system controllers. This project is a collaboration with Transgrid, Powerlink, Vencorp and ElectraNetSA, four Transmission companies renowned for innovation in the area of system stability. The project proposes to develop innovative algorithms and to implement these algorithms using advanced hard ....Reducing Blackout Risk through Live Modelling and Monitoring. This project aims to reduce the risk of blackouts through the development of on-line systems for modelling and monitoring of loads and power system controllers. This project is a collaboration with Transgrid, Powerlink, Vencorp and ElectraNetSA, four Transmission companies renowned for innovation in the area of system stability. The project proposes to develop innovative algorithms and to implement these algorithms using advanced hardware, software and communication systems to dynamically generate decision tools for safe and efficient power system operating conditions. These systems will also generate alarms if any risky operational situations arise.Read moreRead less
Investigation of Demand Diversity and Appropriate New Generation Entry into Electricity Market Simulation Tools. The power industry is currently facing a great challenge in providing
better market operation and management following recent devastating blackouts in North America, UK and Italy. This project aims at investigating major mechanisms of market simulation techniques including impacts from load diversity and approaches to defining appropriate new generation entry into the market. From th ....Investigation of Demand Diversity and Appropriate New Generation Entry into Electricity Market Simulation Tools. The power industry is currently facing a great challenge in providing
better market operation and management following recent devastating blackouts in North America, UK and Italy. This project aims at investigating major mechanisms of market simulation techniques including impacts from load diversity and approaches to defining appropriate new generation entry into the market. From the outcome of this project the National Electricity Market will be able to manage the uncertainties of load diversity (one of the most common blackout causes), and efficiently minimise risk associated with decisions on new generation entry to enhance electricity supply infrastructure.
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Power systems with diverse generation - implications, control and capability. This research will generate a systematic methodology to handle the impact of the renewable energy sources on the NSW power grid. It increases our understanding of the impact of climate change policies relating to mandatory targets for greenhouse gas reduction helping to build Australia’s research capacity in the national priority area of an environmentally sustainable Australia. The anticipated methodology can also be ....Power systems with diverse generation - implications, control and capability. This research will generate a systematic methodology to handle the impact of the renewable energy sources on the NSW power grid. It increases our understanding of the impact of climate change policies relating to mandatory targets for greenhouse gas reduction helping to build Australia’s research capacity in the national priority area of an environmentally sustainable Australia. The anticipated methodology can also be seen as protecting the security of power infrastructure as well. Maintaining a critical energy infrastructure protects our way of life and ensures ongoing social, economic and environmental well being of Australia.Read moreRead less
A methodology for the control of harmonics due to large distorting loads. The ideal electricity supply has a voltage of prescribed frequencey and value with a sinusoidal waveshape. Modern electronic equipment such as digital commuication equipment and automatic manufacturing lines draw non-sinusoidal currents which distort the voltage waveform. Electricity suppliers are responsible for limiting voltage distoration to levels set by national standards. Techniques have been developed to allow them ....A methodology for the control of harmonics due to large distorting loads. The ideal electricity supply has a voltage of prescribed frequencey and value with a sinusoidal waveshape. Modern electronic equipment such as digital commuication equipment and automatic manufacturing lines draw non-sinusoidal currents which distort the voltage waveform. Electricity suppliers are responsible for limiting voltage distoration to levels set by national standards. Techniques have been developed to allow them to determine the maximum level of current distortion to which a particular customer is entitled. This project will developand verify a method for determining if a particular customer exceeds that entitlement.Read moreRead less
The development of new techniques for partial discharge monitoring and location in high voltage underground power cables. Increased utilization factors have caused a significant increase in the loading of high voltage distribution cables. This increased loading subjects cable insulation to increased stress which can degrade the insulation, cause cable failure and power loss to consumers. On-line cable insulation monitoring is required and partial discharge monitoring in cables provides a viable ....The development of new techniques for partial discharge monitoring and location in high voltage underground power cables. Increased utilization factors have caused a significant increase in the loading of high voltage distribution cables. This increased loading subjects cable insulation to increased stress which can degrade the insulation, cause cable failure and power loss to consumers. On-line cable insulation monitoring is required and partial discharge monitoring in cables provides a viable technique, but technical problems have prevented its application in on-line operation.
This project will develop techniques for such on-line monitoring. High frequency electrical sensors will be used to reduce interference and improve signal levels. Both a coarse alarm and a higher sensitivity monitor will be developed.
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Understanding participant behaviour in wholesale electricity markets. Wholesale electricity spot markets now operate in many countries including Australia. The aim of this research project is to achieve a better understanding of the operation of electricity markets, through advancing our understanding of how the physical system, the industry structure, the market mechanism and the behaviour of the market participants jointly determine the overall system outcomes. A particular focus of the resear ....Understanding participant behaviour in wholesale electricity markets. Wholesale electricity spot markets now operate in many countries including Australia. The aim of this research project is to achieve a better understanding of the operation of electricity markets, through advancing our understanding of how the physical system, the industry structure, the market mechanism and the behaviour of the market participants jointly determine the overall system outcomes. A particular focus of the research is on competition within the market. We want to understand the ways in which market structure influences participant behaviour and, in particular, the circumstances that lead to non-competitive outcomes.Read moreRead less
Current limiting mechanisms in magnesium diboride superconductors. Numerous important applications have already been identified for MgB2 wire: power transmission cables, fault current limiters, transformers and magnets for motors and generators, as well as MRI. The significant increase in current carrying capacity of one order of magnitude expected to result from the proposed program will enable MgB2 to replace presently existing low-temperature superconductors (LTS) and expensive high-temperat ....Current limiting mechanisms in magnesium diboride superconductors. Numerous important applications have already been identified for MgB2 wire: power transmission cables, fault current limiters, transformers and magnets for motors and generators, as well as MRI. The significant increase in current carrying capacity of one order of magnitude expected to result from the proposed program will enable MgB2 to replace presently existing low-temperature superconductors (LTS) and expensive high-temperature superconductors (HTS) in numerous important applications. MgB2 technology, coupled with renewable energy sources, has the potential to provide a long-term solution to the energy crisis and global warming threat.Read moreRead less
Development of high performance second generation superconductors. Robust, high performance high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire underpins a worldwide opportunity to revolutionize the electric power grid, transportation, electronics and many other industries with a new generation of high efficiency, compact, and environmentally friendly electrical equipment. This program combines our expertise in superconductor thin-film fabrication and characterization and expertise of a local industrial ....Development of high performance second generation superconductors. Robust, high performance high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire underpins a worldwide opportunity to revolutionize the electric power grid, transportation, electronics and many other industries with a new generation of high efficiency, compact, and environmentally friendly electrical equipment. This program combines our expertise in superconductor thin-film fabrication and characterization and expertise of a local industrial partner in the development of superconducting wires. The success of the proposed project will bring benefit to local industry and employment, and significantly enhance the international competitiveness in HTS of Australian industry.Read moreRead less
Instrumentation for High Voltage Power Distribution Using Optical Fibre Sensors. This project aims to realise a novel optical fibre voltage sensor, exploit a recent discovery of Bassett and Haywood in interferometry to improve an existing optical current sensor, and bring the voltage and current sensor together in a combined field trial on a high voltage distribution network.
The voltage sensor concept is unique and provides significant advantages.
The expected outcomes of this project are an ....Instrumentation for High Voltage Power Distribution Using Optical Fibre Sensors. This project aims to realise a novel optical fibre voltage sensor, exploit a recent discovery of Bassett and Haywood in interferometry to improve an existing optical current sensor, and bring the voltage and current sensor together in a combined field trial on a high voltage distribution network.
The voltage sensor concept is unique and provides significant advantages.
The expected outcomes of this project are an electro-optically active silica fibre suitable for voltage sensing, a prototype voltage sensor and signal processing system, and a prototype combined electrical power (voltage and current) measurement unit deployed in a field trial.
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New Approach to Photonic Interferometry with Applications in Sensing. This project is based on a new technique for photonic interferometry, the Network Independent Multiple Interrogation (NIMI) technique.
This project aims to:
1) gain a better understanding of the NIMI method
2) exploit the NIMI technique in other applications
3) provide the key technology for future optical, current and voltage sensing systems for high voltage networks.
This work is significant as it represents a breakthro ....New Approach to Photonic Interferometry with Applications in Sensing. This project is based on a new technique for photonic interferometry, the Network Independent Multiple Interrogation (NIMI) technique.
This project aims to:
1) gain a better understanding of the NIMI method
2) exploit the NIMI technique in other applications
3) provide the key technology for future optical, current and voltage sensing systems for high voltage networks.
This work is significant as it represents a breakthrough in interferometry, with wide applications in scientific and engineering instrumentation.
The expected outcomes are:
1) an improved understanding of the merits and limitations of the NIMI technique
2) new application of the NIMI technique
3) improvements to the NIMI technique and the optical high voltage sensing systems to which it is appliedRead moreRead less