Hot-swappable and High-efficient Grid-connected Power Electronics System For Photovoltaic Modules with Direct Power Transfer Technique
| Staff | Dr Dylan Lu |
| Support | ARC Discovery Project, 2009 – 2011, $175,000 |
| Description | The project aims to increase the amount of available energy intake from photovoltaic panels, lengthen lifetime of power DC/AC inverter, reduce the amount of energy waste due to inefficient inverter by introducing new switching power converters with direct power transfer technique – bypassing part of the input power without repeatedly processing it, and using long-life ceramic type capacitors. Development of this technology will mean reduced total cost, improved product lifetime and reduced global warming. It will lead to a reliable product that will help to put the Australian switching power converter industry into a leading position internationally in the design and manufacture of DC/AC inverters. |
Smart House Energy Management System
| Staff | Dr Gregor Verbic, Prof David Hill |
| Support | ARC Linkage Project with Ausgrid, 2011 – 2014, $620,000 |
| Description | The project proposes a control algorithm to be used within the energy management system of a residential house. The aim of the algorithm is to control various distributed energy resources that reside in a smart house, including a roof-top photovoltaic panel, a combined heat and power unit, a battery, an electrical car and several smart appliances. The aim of the algorithm is better utilization of energy resources, improved energy efficiency, alleviated problems due to intermittent output of distributed generation and increased benefit to the power system by providing system support and reducing peak demand. A Smart House Energy Management System will be part of a wider control hierarchy, which will enable scalability and efficient control of numerous small distributed energy resources by means of aggregation. This multidisciplinary project will empower Australia’s power industry with tools and knowledge that will enable the transformation to be more intelligent and flexible. It will help reduce green house gas emissions and increase energy efficiency by smarter use of the resources at household level. |