Stochastic modelling of fractures in crystalline rock masses for hot dry rock enhanced geothermal systems. Hot dry rock geothermal energy will contribute significant base-load power to the nation without producing greenhouse gas emissions. This research will contribute to the optimal design of fracture generation programmes to create effective artificial reservoirs in geothermal systems, which is crucial to successful geothermal energy production.
Present-Day Crustal Stress Field of North-Eastern Australia. The key project benefit is to advance fundamental understanding of crustal dynamics in NE Australia and thus Australia as a whole. The project will improve our knowledge of both the nature and sources of the present-day crustal stresses in NE Australia. The project has implications for seismicity and neotectonics in NE Australia. Furthermore, the project has significant implications for both hydrocarbon and hot dry rock geothermal ener ....Present-Day Crustal Stress Field of North-Eastern Australia. The key project benefit is to advance fundamental understanding of crustal dynamics in NE Australia and thus Australia as a whole. The project will improve our knowledge of both the nature and sources of the present-day crustal stresses in NE Australia. The project has implications for seismicity and neotectonics in NE Australia. Furthermore, the project has significant implications for both hydrocarbon and hot dry rock geothermal energy exploration and development.Read moreRead less
Assessment of the aerodynamic behaviour of fibrous particles under well-defined conditions of relevance to bio-fuel combustion. Biomass is plant-derived fuel, which has the advantage of being greenhouse neutral. Biomass can potentially be utilised both in existing combustion technologies, after minor modifications, and in purpose-designed combustors. It is typically fed into a furnace or boiler as shredded particles, (e.g. of wood, straw or bagasse), with jet(s) of air, either alone or as part ....Assessment of the aerodynamic behaviour of fibrous particles under well-defined conditions of relevance to bio-fuel combustion. Biomass is plant-derived fuel, which has the advantage of being greenhouse neutral. Biomass can potentially be utilised both in existing combustion technologies, after minor modifications, and in purpose-designed combustors. It is typically fed into a furnace or boiler as shredded particles, (e.g. of wood, straw or bagasse), with jet(s) of air, either alone or as partial replacement of pulverised coal. However these particles are fibrous and, unlike round particles, their aerodynamic behaviour in such systems is poorly understood. The project will provide new understanding, data and models necessary to maximise efficiency and minimise emissions from the utilisation of these fuels.Read moreRead less
Shape Controlled Nanostructured Electrocatalyst for Clean Energy Generation. The development of alternative clean energy technology is critical to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. This project will bring significant benefits to the Australian community and economy by addressing these needs by developing highly efficient supported-catalyst, the core issue related to the cost and efficiency of clean electrochemical energy conversion devices. An increase in the catalyst efficiency would ....Shape Controlled Nanostructured Electrocatalyst for Clean Energy Generation. The development of alternative clean energy technology is critical to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. This project will bring significant benefits to the Australian community and economy by addressing these needs by developing highly efficient supported-catalyst, the core issue related to the cost and efficiency of clean electrochemical energy conversion devices. An increase in the catalyst efficiency would translate to significant cost saving and will deliver the nation with a strong intellectual property (IP) position in this frontier area of technology. The fundamental understanding will also underpin the growth in other catalysis areas including sensors, environment pollution and efficient chemical production. Read moreRead less
Resistivity of typical rocks at crustal pressure and temperature conditions from combined laboratory and magnetotelluric measurements. Magnetotelluric surveys are playing an increasing role in Australian geoscience, including academic research, data collected by geological surveys (including a role in Geoscience Australia's $58.9 million Onshore Energy and Security Program), mineral exploration and geothermal exploration. This project will enable the results of these surveys to be interpreted mo ....Resistivity of typical rocks at crustal pressure and temperature conditions from combined laboratory and magnetotelluric measurements. Magnetotelluric surveys are playing an increasing role in Australian geoscience, including academic research, data collected by geological surveys (including a role in Geoscience Australia's $58.9 million Onshore Energy and Security Program), mineral exploration and geothermal exploration. This project will enable the results of these surveys to be interpreted more accurately and meaningfully by constraining the expected resistivities of crustal rocks at various pressures and temperatures. This research is vital if the investment currently being put into MT surveys is to be capitalized upon. Read moreRead less
Strategic integration of renewable energy systems into the electricity grid. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that 'warming of the climate system is unequivocal' and there is high probability it is anthropogenic. In response to the growing awareness of climate change, there is an expansion in Australia in the use of renewable energy resources in electricity generation, albeit from a low base. The various renewable energy systems have differing patterns of availability and vol ....Strategic integration of renewable energy systems into the electricity grid. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that 'warming of the climate system is unequivocal' and there is high probability it is anthropogenic. In response to the growing awareness of climate change, there is an expansion in Australia in the use of renewable energy resources in electricity generation, albeit from a low base. The various renewable energy systems have differing patterns of availability and volatility, and it is difficult to determine the right mixture to best match the demand. It is imperative that future growth be structured so that both maximum grid penetration, and required greenhouse gas reductions be attained. Read moreRead less
The micro-mechanics of faulting and fluid flow in porous reservoir rocks. The project will improve the understanding of the mechanics and physics of reservoir rocks under various loading conditions. This will have impact on the recovery of hydrocarbon energy resources, storage of carbon dioxide in depleted oil reservoirs, and extraction of energy from geothermal reservoirs in Australia.
Contemporary stress and tectonics of Australia. This project will conduct a detailed examination of the state and controls on present-day tectonic stress in Australia. Tectonic stresses are a primary control on deformation in the Earth and this project has direct applications for earthquake hazard assessment, mine stability, production of petroleum and geothermal energy, and carbon dioxide sequestration.
Solutions for rapid penetration into sand for offshore energy installations. This project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the response of saturated sand in seabeds during rapid penetration by offshore site investigation tools and foundation construction. The research is using innovative physical and advanced numerical modelling techniques to quantify the significant increase in sand resistance caused by rapid penetration, enabling reliable design and reducing risk of material fail ....Solutions for rapid penetration into sand for offshore energy installations. This project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the response of saturated sand in seabeds during rapid penetration by offshore site investigation tools and foundation construction. The research is using innovative physical and advanced numerical modelling techniques to quantify the significant increase in sand resistance caused by rapid penetration, enabling reliable design and reducing risk of material failure associated with the high impact forces. Expected outcomes of the project include a conceptual framework and scientific-based design tool to predict the geotechnical performance of offshore installations. The research will provide the necessary scientific advances to install, moor and service offshore wind and wave energy devices more economically and efficiently.Read moreRead less
Transition to Customer Response Driven Networks. The project seeks to develop an electrical network costing framework that appropriately rewards customers who act to reduce network stress. The solution to the existing explosion in distribution network costs is to develop customer-responsive solutions in demand management and use of storage. The aim of this project is to develop a framework for network costs that is driven by local congestion and which would reward customer-responsive solutions. ....Transition to Customer Response Driven Networks. The project seeks to develop an electrical network costing framework that appropriately rewards customers who act to reduce network stress. The solution to the existing explosion in distribution network costs is to develop customer-responsive solutions in demand management and use of storage. The aim of this project is to develop a framework for network costs that is driven by local congestion and which would reward customer-responsive solutions. The vision is that the aggregator would provide customers with communications/control equipment that would automate the changes in the responsiveness so that customer-generated load shifting would act to limit peaks.Read moreRead less