Predictive cost and maintenance models for bidding and short term scheduling strategies in hydro power plants. The aim of this project is to develop knowledge based models that can be used to estimate the costs implicit in operating hydro-electric power generation systems in intermittent and off-design modes. These costs manifest in increased maintenance, loss of water supply and opportunity costs or values. A model of the Tasmanian system would be unique, and the application of knowledge based ....Predictive cost and maintenance models for bidding and short term scheduling strategies in hydro power plants. The aim of this project is to develop knowledge based models that can be used to estimate the costs implicit in operating hydro-electric power generation systems in intermittent and off-design modes. These costs manifest in increased maintenance, loss of water supply and opportunity costs or values. A model of the Tasmanian system would be unique, and the application of knowledge based systems to cost and decision making in this situation is novel. Opportunities exist to collaborate with Norwegian researchers. The success of the project will lead to better utilization of the Tasmanian renewable energy resource.Read moreRead less
Precipitation Events over Tasmania and their Response to Weather Modification. The ongoing cloud-seeding work undertaken by Hydro Tasmania will be investigated through a combination of fieldwork and numerical simulations. New instrumentation and advanced numerical models will allow this research to provide a new understanding of the precipitation events over Tasmania and their response to cloud seeding. This research will also explore the interaction between the background aerosol/pollution leve ....Precipitation Events over Tasmania and their Response to Weather Modification. The ongoing cloud-seeding work undertaken by Hydro Tasmania will be investigated through a combination of fieldwork and numerical simulations. New instrumentation and advanced numerical models will allow this research to provide a new understanding of the precipitation events over Tasmania and their response to cloud seeding. This research will also explore the interaction between the background aerosol/pollution level and the precipitation. Given the relatively pure nature of the air over Tasmania, this research will be of international interest. This research will also be of direct interest to Hydro Tasmania as insight gained into the precipitation events will allow us to optimise their cloud-seeding operation.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989858
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$857,230.00
Summary
Fabrication Facilities of Atomic-Scale and Nanostructured Materials for the Development of Novel Devices, Sensors, and Biomedical Components. Australia's energy, mining, metallurgical, defence, biomedical industries are spearheading the advancement of technologies in the global competitive market. They are the engines of Australian economy's strength. Future progress of these industries will be largely driven by advances in materials. The installation of the proposed facilities will add a new ....Fabrication Facilities of Atomic-Scale and Nanostructured Materials for the Development of Novel Devices, Sensors, and Biomedical Components. Australia's energy, mining, metallurgical, defence, biomedical industries are spearheading the advancement of technologies in the global competitive market. They are the engines of Australian economy's strength. Future progress of these industries will be largely driven by advances in materials. The installation of the proposed facilities will add a new dimension to high-level research performance and significantly enhance the capability for the development of advanced materials and biomedical components in Australia. The continual development of advanced material and biomedical components will potentially provide a sustainable means for meeting the increasing global challenge for the industries.Read moreRead less
Rhythmicity, Synchronicity And Spasm In Smooth Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$614,520.00
Summary
Many cellular systems undergo rhythmical spontaneous chemical and-or electrical activity . This activity, often referred to as pacemaking, is prevalent in many organs underlying brain waves or causing heart beats or rhythmic contractions of smooth muscle. Our studies on pacemaker rhythmicities in smooth muscle have revealed a novel mechanism, one which is entirely different to that responsible for heart pacemaking, the generally held model for electrical pacemakers. We aim to study the mechanism ....Many cellular systems undergo rhythmical spontaneous chemical and-or electrical activity . This activity, often referred to as pacemaking, is prevalent in many organs underlying brain waves or causing heart beats or rhythmic contractions of smooth muscle. Our studies on pacemaker rhythmicities in smooth muscle have revealed a novel mechanism, one which is entirely different to that responsible for heart pacemaking, the generally held model for electrical pacemakers. We aim to study the mechanism in depth so that we can fully describe its operation. This knowledge will provide insight into phenomena such as spontaneous contractions in blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and in the gastrointestinal tract, activities which are the norm and which are likely to have major influence on blood pressure, the propulsion of lymph and gut peristalsis. The knowledge will in the longer term lead to a better understanding of rhythmicities generally as far ranging as uterine contractions during childbirth to brain waves. An understanding of the pacemaker mechanism may also provide a key to understanding debilitating conditions such as vasospasm which can lead to death or serious disability.Read moreRead less
Skin friction control using engineering and biological surface coatings. The development of techniques to reduce skin friction in water conveying assets will increase renewable energy production from existing hydro-electric plant and improve the energy efficiency of water conveying utilities. There is also potential for application to marine biofouling problems and reducing fuel usage by shipping. Passive (non-chemical) and biological control methods to reduce fouling and friction will be sought ....Skin friction control using engineering and biological surface coatings. The development of techniques to reduce skin friction in water conveying assets will increase renewable energy production from existing hydro-electric plant and improve the energy efficiency of water conveying utilities. There is also potential for application to marine biofouling problems and reducing fuel usage by shipping. Passive (non-chemical) and biological control methods to reduce fouling and friction will be sought to minimise environmental impact and maintain potable water quality. This multidisciplinary project combining engineering, photogrammetry and biological sciences will provide valuable training for the project team members and develop a pool of skilled personnel available to Australian industries.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre for Solar Energy Systems. The National Centre of Excellence for Solar Energy Systems will be an international leader in research, commercialisation and education in the area of solar energy conversion. Research will be conducted into solar cell and solar thermal technologies, including thin crystalline and amorphous silicon solar cells that use far less silicon than conventional cells; systems that concentrate sunlight by 50-500 times; and very efficient solar cells for use in concent ....ARC Centre for Solar Energy Systems. The National Centre of Excellence for Solar Energy Systems will be an international leader in research, commercialisation and education in the area of solar energy conversion. Research will be conducted into solar cell and solar thermal technologies, including thin crystalline and amorphous silicon solar cells that use far less silicon than conventional cells; systems that concentrate sunlight by 50-500 times; and very efficient solar cells for use in concentrator systems. Expected outcomes include long-term research, commercial research, publications, education, community outreach and commercialisation of solar energy technologies to benefit Australia's economy and environment.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101751
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,000.00
Summary
Nanofiller reinforced concrete for high performance thermal energy storage. Harnessing the abundance of solar energy has been one of the most attractive energy alternatives. This project aims to investigate the mechanical properties, thermal energy storage capacity, thermal conductivity, long-term durability and nano/microstructural changes in nanofiller reinforced concrete composites using modern characterisation and modelling techniques. The newly developed concrete will be accessed as a therm ....Nanofiller reinforced concrete for high performance thermal energy storage. Harnessing the abundance of solar energy has been one of the most attractive energy alternatives. This project aims to investigate the mechanical properties, thermal energy storage capacity, thermal conductivity, long-term durability and nano/microstructural changes in nanofiller reinforced concrete composites using modern characterisation and modelling techniques. The newly developed concrete will be accessed as a thermal energy storage medium for concentrated solar energy plants. The project aims to create the next generation of construction materials to reduce the cost of the storage medium for solar energy harvesting.Read moreRead less
Improvement of water conveying efficiency in hydroelectric power generation systems by optimising pipe friction losses. The growth of bacterial and algal slimes on the surface of water conveying system significantly reduces the net electricity generation from Tasmania's hydroelectric system.
The aim of this project is to develop an optimal maintenance strategy to control this growth which will balance maintenance downtime against the potential increase in electricity production. The growth resp ....Improvement of water conveying efficiency in hydroelectric power generation systems by optimising pipe friction losses. The growth of bacterial and algal slimes on the surface of water conveying system significantly reduces the net electricity generation from Tasmania's hydroelectric system.
The aim of this project is to develop an optimal maintenance strategy to control this growth which will balance maintenance downtime against the potential increase in electricity production. The growth response to cleaning techniques and surface coatings will be investigated.
The potential for increased power production from this renewable energy source will have considerable economic benefit for Tasmania.Read moreRead less