Smart Energy Systems : Connecting Renewable Based Electricity Generation into Smart Grids
Dr Charles R . Sarimuthu Lecturer PhD , MIET , SMIEEE
Research expertise : Power Systems , Power Quality , Renewable Energy and Smart Grid .
E : charles . raymond . arimuthu @ monash . edu T : + 603 5515 9732
Non-volatile Memories and Resistive Switching Devices for VLSI Applications
Dr Patrick W . C . Ho Lecturer B . Eng ( Hons ), MSc ., PhD
Research expertise : Non-volatile Memories , Resistive Switching Devices , Memristivebased FPGA , VLSI , and Semiconductors
E : patrick . ho @ monash . edu T : + 603 5514 6238
Energy is an indispensable factor for the economic growth and development of a country . Long term projections indicate that the energy demand will rapidly increase worldwide . Renewable energy technologies are an ideal solution because they can contribute significantly to worldwide power production with less emission of greenhouse gases . The integration of renewable energy using smart grid technologies can improve energy security and safety of the electric system . The installation and connection of renewable based distributed generation ( DG ) units can positively affect the power quality of the electric
The volatility of Static Random Access Memory ( SRAM ) cells used in today ’ s RAM and Field Programmable Gate Array ( FPGA ) circuits consumes a significant amount of power for retention of logic information . There is great demand for non-volatile memory devices due to the need for dense and faster storage devices for the modern-day electronic applications . We are working on the development of memristorbased FPGA architecture that replaces CMOS-based components with memristor-based circuits . The memristor-based circuits that have been developed are : memristive D flip-flop , non-volatile Look-Up Table , and memristive switch block . system . However , a converse effect could also be noted . DG units are likely to affect the system frequency . Moreover , the impact on the local voltage level of DG connected to the distribution grid can be significant . Especially raising voltage levels in radial distribution systems can be seen as one of the main technical connection issues of DG . Currently we are working on development of synchronverters ( smart inverters ) for frequency control application in solar systems . We are also working on intelligent voltage control systems using on-load tap changer transformer in distribution networks with DG .
Although it is estimated that current memristors are able to hold 8 times more memory than current memory devices , we investigate the possibility of developing a multilevel memristor that will store 16 times more memory .
Core and coils of 3-phase , High Voltage ( HV ) transformer with on-load tap changer ( OLTC )
3-phase inverter ( hardware prototype ) developed in laboratory for solar systems .
Memristor structure : ( a high resistance , and ( b ) low resistance , where a conducting channel is formed .
Several of the novel memristivebased circuits that were developed for a memristive-based FPGA
39ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
R E S E A R C H E R P R O F I L E 2022 / 2023