The Centre for Green and Smart Energy Systems (CGES) is home to technology innovation and expertise where we work in close collaboration with industry on cutting-edge projects towards greener and smarter systems for energy generation, transmission and storage, as well as monitoring, communication and control technologies for a more sustainable environment.
At CGES, we are on the frontline of the energy revolution, developing innovative and practical architectures and solutions that impact Australia’s net-zero goals. The centre has strong ties and ongoing collaborations with industry leaders and organisations in the energy and technology sectors.
CGES research programs encompass two main themes: Smart Energy Systems, and, Smart Digital Technologies.
The Centre for Green and Smart Energy Systems (GSES) has a strong track record of research in sustainable technologies. The Centre aspires to be a centre of excellence for green energy and sustainable digital technology research, to be recognised nationally and internationally. The Centre focuses on two key research themes - Smart Energy Systems and Smart Digital Technologies.
Smart Energy Systems
In a world where sustainability is no longer a choice but an imperative, the Smart Energy Systems research theme plays a core and fundamental role towards achieving emission reduction objectives whilst supporting the energy requirements of industry and the community. Our comprehensive research program seeks to transform the energy landscape by harnessing renewable resources to their fullest potential. It covers the core aspects of energy generation, storage, distribution, and management of renewable energy resources, where they interface with electrical energy, either within a utility grid or a microgrid. The Smart Energy Systems theme helps develop the backbone of a resilient energy future, connecting and managing renewable resources in the intricate web of modern electrical networks. The stakeholders for this research theme include electricity utilities, industries with high energy requirements, federal and state governments, and local communities.
The research capabilities in this theme are based on well-established research track records in the following areas:
- Enhancing power grid reliability and resilience
- Cost-effective and lifecycle analysis of energy systems
- Operation and planning of electricity networks in generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption levels
- Modelling net-zero energy systems and sustainable renewable energy procurement
- Demand response and energy sharing in residential areas
- Placement, sizing and optimisation of hybrid power plants
- Integration of hybrid synchronous condensers in isolated power systems
- Stabilisation of utility grids in the presence of large and fluctuating volumes of renewable energy
- Management of demand response within utility grids
- Optimal sizing and placement of storage systems in utility grids
- Optimal design of microgrids with a high level of renewable energy integration in rural and regional areas
- Use of large-scale information-catching systems as a renewable energy storage alternative
- Electric vehicle charging networks
- Managing the impact of electric vehicles on the aging of utility assets
- Integration of electric vehicle batteries with utility-level energy storage systems
- Second-life utilisation of retired electric vehicle batteries
- Capture of waste heat for reuse and the reduction of carbon emissions
The above capabilities are critical components towards net-zero emission objectives, as they help deal with challenges that result from the growing penetration of renewable energy in utility grids and in industrial applications with high energy demands. Overcoming these challenges through advancements in smart energy systems is part of our commitment to a sustainable future, ensuring that our research contributes positively and effectively to our world's environmental health.
Smart Digital Technologies
We live in an age of hyper-connectivity, where information is power. Nowhere is this truth more resonant than in the intricate interplay of complex systems, from the thrumming machinery of industry to the vital pulses of the environment. Smart Digital Technologies stands at the forefront of sensing, communication and control systems, utilizing state-of-the-art real-time embedded systems to capture, decode and analyse the complex layers of information hidden in our natural and built environments. We delve into the heart of these systems, capturing the subtle signals of sensors and translating their data into actionable insights. Imagine a future where industrial equipment alerts us to impending failures before they happen, where renewable energy integrates smoothly into the grid, and where the depth of oceans resonates with clear communications. This is the world where our research in Smart Digital Technologies helps create added intelligence for improved decision-making and for optimising our interactions with the world around us.
These technologies play a pivotal role in advancing how we interact with and manage complex systems, ensuring efficiency and reliability in critical operations. By leveraging the latest in embedded systems, we provide more accurate and timely data, leading to better decision-making and improved system operations. The versatility and scope of these technologies make them essential tools in a wide range of industrial and environmental protection applications.
The research capabilities in this theme include:
- Condition monitoring of systems and processes
- Sensor design and calibration
- Signal processing and data analytics
- Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning to large data
- Underwater communications and sensing for enhancing undersea information capabilities
- Underwater positioning and navigation for real-time tracking Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)
- Green communication technologies for industrial Internet of Things
- Environmental monitoring and control systems
The above capabilities can assist the uninterrupted operation of complex systems to maximise productivity and unlock the full potential of access to the information that is embedded in every process and system. We develop solutions that support and guide the digital industry of the future.
There is a strong and growing interest in these capabilities for various applications in different industries, including defence, mining, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, transport, public utilities, security, etc. This is where we continuously partner with forward-thinking industries and organisations to realise the full potential of data and shape a future defined by intelligence, sustainability, and resilience.
Opportunities for future students
Scholarships are available for candidates who plan to pursue quality research for their PhD or Master by Research degrees. Please contact A/Professor Iftekhar Ahmad for more information about the ongoing projects and scholarship opportunities.
Opportunities for Industry Engagement
Working with local industries and communities is a priority for the Centre. For collaborative opportunities (e.g., funded research projects, joint applications for future projects, PhD and Master by Research projects), please contact
Contact
A/Prof Iftekhar Ahmad
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 5458
Email: i.ahmad@ecu.edu.au
