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Distributed Energy and Energy Storage

Distributed Energy

• Distributed Power Generation
• Waste Heat Recovery and Heat Driven Cooling
• Management and Control of Distributed Energy Resources
• CenDEP

• Lithium Metal Batteries
• Ultrabatteries
• Supercapacitors
• Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Distributed Energy

Rob McNaughton with microturbine

Distributed Power Generation
Australians will soon start to rely more on local, small scale, power generation. Microturbines (gas engines roughly the size of household refrigerators) and fuel cells are among the new technologies being trialled. Innovative niche applications are also being developed for well established reciprocating engine technology.

This Division is demonstrating microturbines and associated co-generation opportunities. That is, recovering the heat from exhaust gas and using it for heating and cooling in applications ranging from hot water to building air conditioning. Based on this research, we can advise organisations on how best to implement distributed energy systems to suit their needs.

Fuel cell research is carried out in the Division of Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology .

We have a number of distributed generation devices on test at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle ; including microturbines, a gas engine heat pump, photovoltaic cells, wind generation and an organic Rankine cycle. Testing facilities include an engine dynamometer (450 kW & 20 kW), high pressure and low pressure natural gas supplies, ventilated laboratory space and a wide range of gas analysers.

Email: Stephen White.
Email: Sukhvinder Badwal (fuel cells)

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Trigeneration Installation
at Hornsby Library

Waste Heat Recovery and Heat Driven Cooling
Refrigeration and air-conditioning normally require a compressor driven by electricity. Resulting electricity consumption on hot summer days causes peak summer loads on the electricity network.

Our research is looking at a number of new technologies to convert waste heat from prime movers (eg gas engines, gas turbines or fuel cells) into cooling or building dehumidification. The combination of prime mover and absorption chiller can reduce peak summer electricity consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from air-conditioning by about 25%.

This technology will provide new export business opportunities for manufacturers. It will also provide opportunities for cost effective implementation of distributed generation by electricity utilities in Australia .

We have a number of heat to cooling devices at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle ; including a 30 kW absorption chiller and an ejector cooling test facility. CSIRO developed the TrigenAir MicroTurbine Desiccant Cooling process which has been demonstrated at the Hornsby City Council Library

Email: Stephen White.

Management and Control of Distributed Energy Resources
Reducing consumption of electricity is valuable at times when wholesale prices are high and/or when electricity consumption in a locality is near the carrying capacity of the electricity network. Many customers have non-essential electricity loads which could be switched off (shed) at these times.

Our research is identifying technologies and business models for automating the management of load shedding on behalf of electricity retailers or network service providers.

Research outcomes will provide new business opportunities for third party electricity load aggregators or electricity utilities that can use the technology to reduce transactions costs compared with other demand side management business models.

See detailed fact sheet

Email: Glenn Platt

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CenDEP
The Centre for Distributed Energy and Power (CenDEP) is an alliance of organisations, joining with CSIRO to help put distributed energy on the map in Australia . We will do this by working with technology developers and users to evaluate the cost, environmental impact and applicability to various market situations. At the same time, we will seek to influence policy and regulatory controls.

Foundation members include: AGL, Aurora Energy, Country Energy, Department of Energy, Utilities and Science (DEUS), Eraring Energy, Ergon Energy, International Power, Macquarie Generation, Newcastle City Council, Origin Energy, Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria (SEAV) and TXU Networks.

See CenDEP Web site

Email:Terry Jones

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Energy Storage

A Lithium Metal Battery

Lithium Metal Batteries
The Energy Storage Group, in partnership with
Monash University, has discovered new materials that make lithium metal batteries safe, opening the way for a significant step forward in battery performance. Rechargeable lithium metal batteries are ultimately expected to perform 30 percent better than commercially available technology.

The best performing batteries now available and selling most strongly are lithium ion and lithium polymer batteries. Lithium batteries are preferred because they are potentially cheaper and less toxic than nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride batteries. Our development of lithium metal technology will create a unique class of next generation batteries for this fast growing market.

The performance of lithium metal batteries can be further enhanced if used in conjunction with our advanced supercapacitors, which greatly extend battery life. Together, these new technologies satisfy market demands for higher performance and
“green” energy storage devices that are smaller, lighter, safer and can operate effectively over a wide temperature range.

Email:Tony Hollenkamp

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Ultrabattery research

UltraBatteries
The Ultra Battery is a high performance, high power, and longer life alternative to the conventional lead acid battery. The integration of a supercapacitor gives the ultra-battery a life close to that of its competitive nickel-meta-hydride technology, but with greatly reduced cost.
It can be made in different sizes for a range of applications, including
power tools, high power remote area power supply and uninterruptible power supply systems. These include back up power for computers in the event of a failure in the mains supply.

The Ultra Battery can also be made in smaller dimensions, but with sufficient energy and power to drive the bigger engine capacity in the conventional
automobile. This technology could reduce the cost and boost the performance of batteries in hybrid electric vehicles, a vital step in the transition to clean and green transport.

Email:Lan Lam

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Supercapacitor research

Supercapacitors
Supercapacitors are energy storage devices with both high power and high energy. Whereas conventional capacitors have very high power, but very low energy and batteries have very high energy, but low power.

The unique combination of power and energy in our supercapacitors fills a gap in energy storage systems for miniaturised wireless communication applications. Supercapacitors can be used as a battery replacement or in combination with a battery, extending battery life and device useability over a wide range of operating conditions. The devices also have a wide range of other applications, including automotive, digital cameras and power tools.

Supercapacitor is the term used to describe high surface area electrochemical capacitors and other similar high energy storage devices. They are able to store a large amount of charge (energy) that can be released very quickly. This means they are superior in short term, high energy applications, such as when an appliance is switched on or an electric car accelerates. They can also be recharged very quickly – in a matter of seconds if required.

Batteries subjected to recurrent high power demands tend to fail prematurely. However, a supercapacitor fitted alongside a battery can extend battery life (up to five times) by “levelling out” high power demands on the battery (load levelling).

Email: Tony Pandolfo

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Hybrid Electric Vehicles
We are developing 36V valve regulated batteries for 42V system hybrid electric vehicles. These batteries have combined high power and long life, low operational temperatures, rapid recharging ability and improved safety.

We are also looking at the combined use of batteries and supercapacitors in hybrid cars, the first to provide storage of large amounts of energy, the second to provide the rapid power delivery for start-up and acceleration.

Further research on Hybrid Electric Vehicles is conducted by the Energy Transformed Flagship

Email:Tony Hollenkamp

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