Laboratory Facilities
The Centre for Renewable Energy and Power Systems has access to several onsite laboratory facilities at the School of Engineering, including a purpose built renewable energy laboratory. Access is also available to software for simulation, modeling and analysis in energy and power systems applications.
Renewable Energy Laboratory
The Renewable Energy Lab was officially launched on 4 September 2009, by Lisa Singh, the Minister Assisting the Premier on Climate Change. The lab contains examples of equipment that will form the basis of the power industry in years to come. The Lab equipment includes experimental sets for emulating different types of wind turbines by reproducing their torque under variable wind conditions. Wind turbines are based on three main types adapted by the power Industry: 1) fixed speed, with squirrel cage induction generator directly connected to the grid, 2) variable speed, with doubly fed induction generator, and 3) variable speed, with direct-drive multi-pole synchronous generator. Recently the Lab also acquired a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell and developed a solar system, which consists of a 4 kW movable photovoltaic cell and three single phase inverters. Some of these systems have already been used as educational tools for teaching how to design and operate Microgrid Power Systems based on renewable energy sources. In the near future, the Lab Microgrid Power System will provide web-based teaching facilities. Remote clients will be able to access the Lab facilities, conduct experiments and collect data in real-time laboratory via the Internet.
Power Laboratory
The Power Lab is designed to demonstrate topics in power engineering such as electrical machines, power system, power electronics, electrical power design and renewable energy applications. It serves to train students on the operation of electrical machines and power electronics in power systems, renewable energy and industrial applications. The laboratory allows students to become familiar with the operation and application of different electrical machines, such as transformers, induction machines, synchronous motors, doubly fed induction generators and synchronous generators. Students are also able to perform experiments with different types of power electronic converters (such as rectifiers, dc-dc converters and inverters) and renewable energy applications.
The power lab features numerous machines including six dc motor generator sets, six squirrel cage induction motors, five synchronous generators, three doubly fed induction generators, two permanent magnet synchronous generators, power electronic devices (Diodes, Thyristrs, IGBTs, MOSFETs etc.), different power electronic converters (rectifier, dc to dc converters, inverters), digital storage oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, LCR meters, programmable dc and ac power sources. The power lab also has twenty eight experimental spaces to perform experiments in electrical machines, power systems, power electronic converters and renewable energy applications.
Solar Research Facility
The Solar Research Facility was officially opened by Dr Peter Davis, CEO of Aurora Energy, on 4th September 2009. It consists of a 4 kW movable photovoltaic cell and three single phase inverters which are operated through the Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Thermodynamics Laboratory
The thermodynamics laboratory includes a biodiesel production plant, diesel generator, petrol engine, airconditioning wind tunnel, temperature controlled water flume, steam plant and cooling tower.
Hydraulics Laboratory
The hydraulics laboratory includes a water tunnel for skin friction research, a Francis turbine for FCAS research, a microturbine for demonstration purposes, various water flumes and a wave tank.
Aerodynamics Laboratory
The aerodynamics laboratory includes a 1.5 stage low-speed research compressor, including a closed circuit wind tunnel suitable for the aerodynamic testing of vehicles and a wind tunnel for research on film cooling in jet engines.
