A 60% efficient solar microconcentrator for electricity and hot water. The aim of this project is to develop a microconcentrator for deployment on house roofs that will produce both solar hot water and solar electricity with a combined efficiency above 60%. The system will have a low profile and will be nearly invisible from the street. The system will track the sun. Concentration will be accomplished by a mixture of refraction and reflection. About 20% of the sunlight will be converted to elect ....A 60% efficient solar microconcentrator for electricity and hot water. The aim of this project is to develop a microconcentrator for deployment on house roofs that will produce both solar hot water and solar electricity with a combined efficiency above 60%. The system will have a low profile and will be nearly invisible from the street. The system will track the sun. Concentration will be accomplished by a mixture of refraction and reflection. About 20% of the sunlight will be converted to electricity using lines of tiny solar cells, with the balance being converted to heat which is removed by cooling fluid and stored in hot water tanks.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354551
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Network for Renewable Energy. The proposed Research Network will integrate and coordinate the entire research field of renewable energy in Australia. This Network covers a diverse range of technologies, and includes all prominent researchers in the area of renewable energy in Australia. The Network is strengthened by the inclusion of key people from government agencies, industry, industry associations and international research organisations.
Australia is a leading player in the ....ARC Research Network for Renewable Energy. The proposed Research Network will integrate and coordinate the entire research field of renewable energy in Australia. This Network covers a diverse range of technologies, and includes all prominent researchers in the area of renewable energy in Australia. The Network is strengthened by the inclusion of key people from government agencies, industry, industry associations and international research organisations.
Australia is a leading player in the world's renewable energy industry. An effective structure for networking and for the exchange of people, information and research results will maintain and improve Australia's position in this rapidly growing industry.Read moreRead less
Efficient photovoltaic concentrator receivers utilising commercial non-concentrator solar cells. The development of low-cost photovoltaic concentrator systems will allow the large scale depoyment of these systems, both in Australia and overseas. The current size of this market is several hundred MW of electricity per year, and growing rapidly. This will have both environmental benefits (though reduced greenhouse gas emissions)as well as economic and social benefits - through the creation of empo ....Efficient photovoltaic concentrator receivers utilising commercial non-concentrator solar cells. The development of low-cost photovoltaic concentrator systems will allow the large scale depoyment of these systems, both in Australia and overseas. The current size of this market is several hundred MW of electricity per year, and growing rapidly. This will have both environmental benefits (though reduced greenhouse gas emissions)as well as economic and social benefits - through the creation of empoyment opportunities in PV manufacturing and the generation of export earnings. It could be of particular benefit to remote communities requiring reliable, low cost off-grid power generation.Read moreRead less
Formation of Nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) by Anodization of Titanium Thin Films. The development of nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2), with pore diameter less than 25 nm, represents a significant advance for both R&D and industrial applications. It is an invaluable material for the manufacture of a range of electronic and optical devices. These structures can be employed for the development of efficient thermoelectric coolers, highly sensitive biosensors as well as optical micro-devices w ....Formation of Nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) by Anodization of Titanium Thin Films. The development of nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2), with pore diameter less than 25 nm, represents a significant advance for both R&D and industrial applications. It is an invaluable material for the manufacture of a range of electronic and optical devices. These structures can be employed for the development of efficient thermoelectric coolers, highly sensitive biosensors as well as optical micro-devices with high refractive index. In addition, nanoporous TiO2 has numerous applications in the fields of nanotechnology, bioengineering, diagnostics, materials science, and in the building industry. Australia will greatly benefit from the research and development of such a product with its promising market.Read moreRead less
Development of Reliability Driven Rural Electricity Supply. Australia is sparsely populated with SWER systems covering a large part of the rural supply. It is expected that a portion of the population will move to some areas of semi-urban/rural areas as the cost of housing and land will be cheaper in these regions. This will result in the development of new townships. In addition the growth in air conditioners and other electrical goods is leading to a rise in consumption per customer which is o ....Development of Reliability Driven Rural Electricity Supply. Australia is sparsely populated with SWER systems covering a large part of the rural supply. It is expected that a portion of the population will move to some areas of semi-urban/rural areas as the cost of housing and land will be cheaper in these regions. This will result in the development of new townships. In addition the growth in air conditioners and other electrical goods is leading to a rise in consumption per customer which is occurring across all parts of the country not just in 'green change' areas. With this scenario in mind, the aim of this project is to plan for rural electricity supply that can have a defined reliability, with a potential for a performance that can be designed to approach that of urban centers.Read moreRead less
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
Nanostructured Silicon-Based Tandem Solar Cells. The expected outcome from the project is a new generation of low-cost silicon solar cell that will significantly reduce the costs of generating electricity from sunlight. Solar cells are presently the world's most rapidly growing energy source, with Australians and Australian companies already major players in the associated rapidly expanding industry. Solar cells represent the most benign technology yet suggested for supplying the world's future ....Nanostructured Silicon-Based Tandem Solar Cells. The expected outcome from the project is a new generation of low-cost silicon solar cell that will significantly reduce the costs of generating electricity from sunlight. Solar cells are presently the world's most rapidly growing energy source, with Australians and Australian companies already major players in the associated rapidly expanding industry. Solar cells represent the most benign technology yet suggested for supplying the world's future energy needs. A cleaner environment in the future than would otherwise be likely is another expected outcome as is the creation of major new opportunities for Australian industry.Read moreRead less