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Solar energy generation technology is a critical area of research for Australia and is essential to producing more economical non-fossil fuel based power and reducing greenhouse emissions. However, integrating the energy generated by solar photovoltaics and solar thermal technologies into the energy system faces unresolved technological issues, systems issues and policy issues.
isr is working with QUT’s Built Environment and Engineering Faculty and other universities, industry and government to improve utility and deployment of renewable energy. This national research partnership — Solar Integration Australia (SIA) — was founded in 2009 in response to a substantial solar integration research program within the Commonwealth Government’s $100 million Australian Solar Institute (ASI). SIA research focuses on the ‘balance of systems’ that occurs downstream from the photovoltaic device and involves integrating solar generation into:
- the electricity grid
- industrial processes
- buildings, especially the integration of photovoltaics and small-scale solar thermal energy systems into direct use within buildings.
The goals of the systems integration research program include reducing component costs, improving system performance, efficiency and aesthetics, as well as understanding and influencing the economic, social and policy factors that influence the uptake of solar energy.
Sustainability-linked Energy projects
| Project title |
Chief Investigator |
Faculty/Institute |
| Investigate Technologies and Opportunities for Biofuels Production and Diversification in the Processing of Sugar Cane (2010) |
Darryn Rackemann |
Sugar Research and Development Corporation |
| Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant (2006–10) |
Prof. Dale, Aspro Harding, Prof. Bell, Dr Will, Dr Johnson, Dr Edye, Dr Doherty |
Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation |
| Toxicity of Diesel Particulate Matter from Two Engine Technologies and for Three Fuel Types (2009) |
Dr Ristovski, Aspro Ayoko |
Faculty of Science and Technology |
| Best Fit Bio-fuel Production Technologies for Agro-industrial Enterprises (2008–09) |
Dr Hobson, Dr Edye, Prof. Grace, Mr Dunn, Dr Foran |
Centre for Tropical Crops & Biocommodities |
| Optimisation of Dual Fuel Compression Ignition (Diesel) Engines With Respect to Engine Performance and Pollutant Emissions (2007–09) |
Dr Brown, Dr Ristovski, Aspro Hargreaves |
Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering |
| Microscopic Study of a Polymer-Nanotube Mixture for Organic Photovoltaics (2006–09) |
Prof. Bell |
Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering |
| Efficient Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells: New Cathodic Materials and Systems (2008–10) |
Prof. Bell |
Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering |
| The Effect of High Temperature and Light Intensity on the Performance of Photo-catalytic Reactions (2006–09) |
Prof. Bell |
Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering |
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