Increased power transfer capacity through Static Var Compensator (SVC) control. Smart grids in power transmission will enable better use of existing infrastructure reducing the required investment for moving power between states. The project proposes the use of advanced measurement and control algorithms to make a step change in the operation of the national network with focus on the Queensland-New South Wales link.
Transforming Microgrid to Virtual Power Plant –ICT Frameworks,Tools,Control. The project aims to enhance large scale renewable penetrations to national power grid by advancing control, optimization, and ancillary services of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), considering different disruptive events including recent South Australian blackout. This project expects to create new control, frame communication architecture, develop plug and play type IoT enabled grid interfacing inverter, and optimize resou ....Transforming Microgrid to Virtual Power Plant –ICT Frameworks,Tools,Control. The project aims to enhance large scale renewable penetrations to national power grid by advancing control, optimization, and ancillary services of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), considering different disruptive events including recent South Australian blackout. This project expects to create new control, frame communication architecture, develop plug and play type IoT enabled grid interfacing inverter, and optimize resource management for distributed VPPs. The anticipated benefits from this institutional level collaborations are that VPPs help in enhancing national power grid operations during normal and disruptive conditions when more renewables are connected and also secure benefits of consumers, prosumers, and grid operators.Read moreRead less
Design, build and test a fault current limiter employing magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconducting coils. Recent occurrences of blackouts around the world caused immeasurable damage to electrical network hardware in the range of $10M, however, the losses from an unavailable network are much more. The CIs and Zenergy Power Pty Ltd (formerly Australian Superconductors) have been developing saturated core fault current limiters (FCL) since 1999. The first saturated core fault current limiter employ ....Design, build and test a fault current limiter employing magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconducting coils. Recent occurrences of blackouts around the world caused immeasurable damage to electrical network hardware in the range of $10M, however, the losses from an unavailable network are much more. The CIs and Zenergy Power Pty Ltd (formerly Australian Superconductors) have been developing saturated core fault current limiters (FCL) since 1999. The first saturated core fault current limiter employing the Australian's entity's technology was installed in California. The aim of this proposal is to extend this technology to demonstrate next generation FCL using a newly developed superconductor magnesium diboride (MgB2) wire which is cheaper and easier to manufacture than high temperature superconductors and the CIs' group hold strong IP on nano-scale chemically doped MgB2 wires.Read moreRead less
Parallel operating stand-alone renewable energy microgrids for remote area power systems. This project aims to develop a remote area power supply that minimises the use of diesel in meeting the energy needs of remote communities and mining camps. Based on the concept of parallel operating AC-DC hybrid microgrids supplied by renewable energy sources, backed up by advanced battery energy storage and high-efficiency variable speed diesel engine, the project proposes to design and develop power syst ....Parallel operating stand-alone renewable energy microgrids for remote area power systems. This project aims to develop a remote area power supply that minimises the use of diesel in meeting the energy needs of remote communities and mining camps. Based on the concept of parallel operating AC-DC hybrid microgrids supplied by renewable energy sources, backed up by advanced battery energy storage and high-efficiency variable speed diesel engine, the project proposes to design and develop power system components and their control, protection and communication methods.Read moreRead less
Monitoring and Management System for Smart Distribution Networks. This project aims to develop, implement and test an innovative state estimation algorithm for monitoring low voltage electricity distribution networks. The proposed system is an essential step to enable a range of smart network applications to manage peak network loads and increasing amounts of solar photovoltaic generation. The project includes a prototype application and field trial for managing the operational state of part of ....Monitoring and Management System for Smart Distribution Networks. This project aims to develop, implement and test an innovative state estimation algorithm for monitoring low voltage electricity distribution networks. The proposed system is an essential step to enable a range of smart network applications to manage peak network loads and increasing amounts of solar photovoltaic generation. The project includes a prototype application and field trial for managing the operational state of part of the network to keep within safe loading limits. It may also facilitate future new technologies such as demand-side management, energy storage and electric vehicles. By managing peak loading, the project could defer or eliminate capital-intensive network augmentations and associated customer electricity price increases.Read moreRead less
Bushfire safety improvements for rural electricity networks using hybrid fault detection incorporating distributed observations of travelling waves. Electrical faults in distribution networks can result in catastrophic bush fires. The existing fault detection methods are known to be incapable of detecting many faults. This project will develop improved protection methods that detect travelling waves produced by dangerous faults such as fallen lines and vegetation contacts.
Solid state regulation of a distribution transformer to rapidly control voltages of low voltage distribution feeders. High penetration of domestic photovoltaic generation creates substantial voltage fluctuations along the electrical supply system. This project will explore how to use solid state electronics to create distribution transformers with advanced capability that can regulate these voltage fluctuations better than present technologies.
Electrical insulation diagnostics for high voltage power cable systems based on voltage excitation at very low frequency. High voltage power cable systems rely on their insulation to withstand very severe electric stress without breakdown. Field testing of cables at normal frequency is not feasible, but with very low frequency excitation from mobile sources such testing is possible. The overarching aim of this project is to develop methods for interpretation of results from such measurements. It ....Electrical insulation diagnostics for high voltage power cable systems based on voltage excitation at very low frequency. High voltage power cable systems rely on their insulation to withstand very severe electric stress without breakdown. Field testing of cables at normal frequency is not feasible, but with very low frequency excitation from mobile sources such testing is possible. The overarching aim of this project is to develop methods for interpretation of results from such measurements. It is intended that this will enable formulation of appropriate test procedures and better assessment of insulation conditions in service-aged cables. Also of considerable significance to fundamental research will be the project’s goal of a better physical understanding of insulation material behaviour when subject to very low frequency electric stress.Read moreRead less
Power quality monitoring of grids with high penetration of power converters. The project aims to monitor and analyse power quality of grids within the frequency ranges of 0-2 kHz (existing regulations) and 2-150 kHz (new regulations). Power quality of grids deteriorate due to the high penetrations of inverter-based renewable energy systems. To estimate power quality of grids, the project expects to develop a multi-domain simulation model based on power grid configurations and operating condition ....Power quality monitoring of grids with high penetration of power converters. The project aims to monitor and analyse power quality of grids within the frequency ranges of 0-2 kHz (existing regulations) and 2-150 kHz (new regulations). Power quality of grids deteriorate due to the high penetrations of inverter-based renewable energy systems. To estimate power quality of grids, the project expects to develop a multi-domain simulation model based on power grid configurations and operating condition. Developed methodologies will assist network service providers to better analyse harmonics and resonances within low and high voltage power systems. Expected outcomes of this project are to assist partners to monitor and solve the existing communication issues of audio frequency load control and to address power quality issues arising from the increasing connection of renewable energy systems.Read moreRead less
Improving grid performance: detection of arc faults and determination of energy losses in electricity distribution networks. This project will develop a monitoring system to address the critical need to ensure safe operations of overhead power lines, particularly in rural areas, and prevent bushfires caused by electrical faults. The research also enables monitoring of power losses in electricity distribution networks and improving the energy efficiency of the supply system.