Download Enhanced microgrid with sustainable energy

Sustainable Urban Precincts Project: Postgraduate Research Award PhD Scholarship
School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Aerospace, Mechanical and
Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University.
RP1.4 Enhanced Microgrid with Sustainable Energy Storage for Peak Load Levelling.
Project Background
There is an accelerating global interest in Smart Grid and Distributed Generation
technologies as a new paradigm for electrical energy generation and distribution. One of the
proposed innovations is a MicroGrid system, which combines localised generation, energy
storage and loads into a composite electrical load that can adaptively vary its grid energy
demand requirements to take advantage of tariff changes, renewable energy availability.
Microgrids can also provide dynamic support to the electrical network during transient
conditions, allowing significant savings and reductions in the network capital expenditure.
Microgrid systems typically include generation sources such as PV arrays, small scale wind
turbines, co-generation and tri-generation plant and fuel cells, together with localised energy
storage using technologies such as advanced batteries or hydrogen as a sustainable energy
carrier. One of the current research interests in the world is how to best manage and optimise
the complex interactions between these various elements of a microgrid, and Professor
Holmes and his research group are currently developing a medium scale demonstration
microgrid system to explore these issues.
Research Team
This project is part of the emerging research program into Smart Energy Systems led by
Professor Holmes within the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The research
team encompasses a wide range of interests, including power electronic conversion for
electrical grid networks, how to manage high levels of distributed generation into electrical
networks, and technological implications for the changing paradigm of electrical supply and
consumption in the 21st century. Under the direction of Professor Holmes, the Smart Energy
research team at RMIT explores fundamental modulation theory, control systems for drive
systems and PWM rectifiers, active filter systems for quality of supply improvement,
resonant converters, current source inverters for drive systems, and multilevel converters.
Professor Grahame Holmes has a strong commitment and interest in the control and operation
of electrical power converters. He has published nearly 200 conference and journal papers in
the area, is an active member of the IEEE Industrial Applications Society, and co-authored a
major reference textbook on PWM theory with Professor Thomas Lipo of the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. He currently heads the Power and Energy group at RMIT University,
where he manages graduate students and research engineers working together on a mixture of
theoretical and practical R&D projects.
The PhD Project
The aim of this project is to extend Prof Holmes’ current project to link with the Renewable
Energy Hydrogen group at RMIT, and incorporate a hydrogen energy storage subsystem into
the microgrid system that is currently being developed. This will allow investigations into
both the co-ordinated operation of the various subsystems, and the use of stored sustainable
energy to enhance the capability and grid influence of the microgrid by load levelling. (Load
levelling reduces the peak grid demand for an installation by supplying some of the
demanded peak energy instead from local energy storage system.)
The primary research questions to be explored in the project are
 What is the optimal structure (renewable energy supply options, storage technologies,
and load management systems) of a microgrid with sustainable stored energy, suitable
for use with structures in a built environment?
 What level of load levelling could be achieved with the stored energy system, and what
would be the resultant greenhouse gas reductions and net economic benefits?
 Are there operating and stability limitations for the microgrid with dynamically varying
solar, wind, cogeneration, fuel cell inputs, and load conditions?
The primary supervisor for this PhD project is Professor Grahame Holmes.
This project is funded by the RMIT Sustainable Urban Precincts Project (SUPP)
Selection Criteria
The successful applicant should have
 a H1 honours degree (or equivalent) in electrical engineering from an internationally
recognised university
 a major in electrical power engineering or power electronics.
 background and experience with microprocessors, control theory, electrical energy
and/or electrical energy conversion systems is highly desirable.
 a research background demonstrated by a minor thesis as part of a previous degree,
relevant publications or other similar contributions.
What does the scholarship provide?
• Tax-free stipend of $30,000 per annum over 3.5 years and an RTS place for Australian
citizens or permanent residents in a doctoral degree within the School of Electrical and
Computer Engineering. A fee waiver may be available for outstanding international
applicants.
• Applicants should discuss their eligibility with project leader Professor Grahame
Holmes from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering before applying:
[email protected], phone +61 3 9925 3874