How does orography enhance precipitation in Australian wintertime storms? This project aims to employ targeted field observations, numerical simulations and new satellite capabilities to identify the dynamical and microphysical mechanisms that enhance and redistribute precipitation across the alpine regions of south eastern Australia and Tasmania. These observations will be used to evaluate operational numerical weather simulations specifically focusing on quantitative precipitation forecasts an ....How does orography enhance precipitation in Australian wintertime storms? This project aims to employ targeted field observations, numerical simulations and new satellite capabilities to identify the dynamical and microphysical mechanisms that enhance and redistribute precipitation across the alpine regions of south eastern Australia and Tasmania. These observations will be used to evaluate operational numerical weather simulations specifically focusing on quantitative precipitation forecasts and estimates. The observations will also be used to extend known biases in the national gridded precipitation analysis that are a result of the complex mountain terrain. This identification of the physical processes that enhance and redistribute precipitation over the alpine regions across south east Australia and Tasmania will lead to better precipitation estimates and forecasts and better water management.Read moreRead less
Cosmic powerhouses: The birth, death, and legacy of black hole jets. This project targets relativistic jets powered by supermassive black holes - the most powerful systems in the Universe. Theoretically, the enormous energies released have a profound influence on how galaxies evolve; empirically, observations reveal signatures of their impact across cosmic time. However, fundamental questions remain about how these jets are triggered and what impact they have on galaxies. The project will addres ....Cosmic powerhouses: The birth, death, and legacy of black hole jets. This project targets relativistic jets powered by supermassive black holes - the most powerful systems in the Universe. Theoretically, the enormous energies released have a profound influence on how galaxies evolve; empirically, observations reveal signatures of their impact across cosmic time. However, fundamental questions remain about how these jets are triggered and what impact they have on galaxies. The project will address these questions using novel supercomputer models of black hole jets in realistic cosmological environments, then confront these predictions with new data from Square Kilometre Array (SKA) pathfinding radio telescopes. This will substantially enhance Australia’s leadership capacity in a strategically important area.Read moreRead less
Investigation into flow over complex topography and escarpments for wind turbine siting using experimental and computational methods. This project will improve national capability to optimise power production from wind turbine farms in complex terrain by improving the understanding of the flow regime. By better understanding separated regions and the turbulent structures within these regions power production can be optimised and fatigue risks associated with turbine positioning in complex sites ....Investigation into flow over complex topography and escarpments for wind turbine siting using experimental and computational methods. This project will improve national capability to optimise power production from wind turbine farms in complex terrain by improving the understanding of the flow regime. By better understanding separated regions and the turbulent structures within these regions power production can be optimised and fatigue risks associated with turbine positioning in complex sites can be reduced. This will improve confidence in wind farm site assessment techniques and consequently reduce economic risks associated with current wind farm viability assessments. By increasing national capacity to generate clean energy stationary energy emissions can be reduced. This project will also deliver high calibre graduates that will be potential future industry leaders.Read moreRead less
Precipitation in wintertime storms across southeast Australia, Tasmania and the Southern Ocean. The pristine conditions and strong wind-shear over the Southern Ocean affect the formation of precipitation in clouds over the region, which is vital to the water supply of southeastern Australia and Tasmania. This project will evaluate and improve the ability to simulate this precipitation, which will lead to better water resource management.
Rapid starting and unsteady operation of hydraulic turbines. The project will investigate the ability of hydraulic turbines to start rapidly with the turbine spinning in air which is more water efficient and has lower maintenance costs than other methods. The project will allow higher use of hydroelectricity and higher penetration of wind or other intermittent renewable energy generation into an electricity grid.
Hybrid Remote Area Power Systems with Hydrogen Energy Storage for Isolated and Regional Communities. The distances and difficulties of transporting diesel to remote areas substantially add to the cost of electricity - making it many times the cost of supplies available from the grid. Consistency of electricity supply is dependent on reliable transport access and substantial storage for fuel on site. This project will reduce emissions in energy generation and provide the opportunity for mainly ....Hybrid Remote Area Power Systems with Hydrogen Energy Storage for Isolated and Regional Communities. The distances and difficulties of transporting diesel to remote areas substantially add to the cost of electricity - making it many times the cost of supplies available from the grid. Consistency of electricity supply is dependent on reliable transport access and substantial storage for fuel on site. This project will reduce emissions in energy generation and provide the opportunity for mainly renewable, high-quality electricity supplies at reduced cost for remote and isolated communities. This will make communities more self-sufficient, enhance the quality of life and provide opportunities for initiatives, including economic and employment generating activities, to benefit the communities.Read moreRead less
Optimising Control of Hydroelectric Turbines Subject to Basslink Instability. With the introduction of Basslink, an underwater DC power cable across the Bass Strait, Tasmania will be connected to the national Electricity Market. Basslink will also provide an opportunity to utilise the significant water energy potential found throughout Tasmania. This project will examine the impact and disturbances due to the connection of Basslink with Tasmanian hydro power systems and develop control strategi ....Optimising Control of Hydroelectric Turbines Subject to Basslink Instability. With the introduction of Basslink, an underwater DC power cable across the Bass Strait, Tasmania will be connected to the national Electricity Market. Basslink will also provide an opportunity to utilise the significant water energy potential found throughout Tasmania. This project will examine the impact and disturbances due to the connection of Basslink with Tasmanian hydro power systems and develop control strategies for effective operation and control of hydro turbines with Basslink. Particular attention will be paid to the quality and reliability of electricity supply in Tasmania.Read moreRead less
On-line Monitoring and Modelling of Electric Loads for Improving Operational Conditions of Power Systems. Recently, the Tasmanian Electricity System has been connected to the National Electricity Market through Basslink. The behaviour of loads to deviations in frequency and voltage becomes critical when transmission constraints begin to control market outcomes. The project will deliver vital information regarding load behaviour and models representing load responses to frequency and voltage excu ....On-line Monitoring and Modelling of Electric Loads for Improving Operational Conditions of Power Systems. Recently, the Tasmanian Electricity System has been connected to the National Electricity Market through Basslink. The behaviour of loads to deviations in frequency and voltage becomes critical when transmission constraints begin to control market outcomes. The project will deliver vital information regarding load behaviour and models representing load responses to frequency and voltage excursions with the objective of optimising power exchanges within the National Electricity Market. This will allow Tasmania to take advantage of various renewable technologies. The research will focus on the quality of electricity supply in Tasmania and the national power grid, and on the consequent economic benefits.Read moreRead less
Integration of Distributed and Renewable Power Generation into Electricity Grid Systems. This project aims to contribute into infrastructure development for connection of distributed and renewable power generation with electrical grid systems. The project proposes to develop innovative methodologies for cost-effective operation and control, protection coordination and fault detection, islanding operation, grid interaction and voltage instability with distributed and renewable generation. This pr ....Integration of Distributed and Renewable Power Generation into Electricity Grid Systems. This project aims to contribute into infrastructure development for connection of distributed and renewable power generation with electrical grid systems. The project proposes to develop innovative methodologies for cost-effective operation and control, protection coordination and fault detection, islanding operation, grid interaction and voltage instability with distributed and renewable generation. This project has special application for facilitating integration of regional renewable and distributed energy sources, such as wind, solar, mini-hydro, etc. into national grid systems.Read moreRead less
Identifying Rare Genetic Variants Conferring Susceptibility To Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$293,898.00
Summary
Recently there has been success in identifying common genetic variants that confer susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. The variants that have been discovered so far have modest effects on risk of disease, and only explain a small proportion of familial aggregation of disease. In this study we aim to identify rarer genetic variants that have stronger effects on risk of disease, using new statistical methods and new methods to sequence very large amounts of DNA.