Designing microgrids for remote areas of South Australia with PV, Wind and Energy Storage

About this project

Remote Australian communities play a vital role in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing, yet they often struggle with unreliable and expensive electricity. Frequent power outages and high energy costs disrupt essential services, including healthcare, education, and local businesses. The transition to local renewable energy, facilitated by microgrids, presents an opportunity for sustainable and reliable solutions. 

Microgrids powered by renewable energy—such as solar PV, wind, and energy storage—have been studied as a solution to improve grid reliability and reduce emissions. Projects, including those supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, have explored the technical and economic feasibility of microgrids and distributed energy resources. However, limited research has addressed the specific challenges faced by remote Australian communities, including bushfire risk, the integration of electric vehicles, and changing demand profiles due to electrification. There is a lack of comprehensive studies on designing microgrids that meet these unique needs while ensuring cost-effectiveness and reliability in these areas. This project aims to design microgrids powered by solar PV, wind, energy storage and existing diesel generators to provide sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions for the remote regions of South Australia.

The key objectives of the project are:

• Design microgrids that can operate independently or with the main grid reliably.
• Analyze the cost-effectiveness of various microgrid configurations and storage options.
• Incorporate demand forecasting and probabilistic modelling for solar and wind in the problem formulation to simulate realistic energy scenarios.
• Assess how microgrids can mitigate the unavailability of power supply due to bushfires, lighting and storms and reduce carbon emissions.

Australia is committed to increasing its renewable energy capacity, with South Australia targeting 100% renewable electricity by 2027. This ambitious goal reflects a broader national trend toward greater renewable integration. Strengthening the grid to support this transition involves significant costs. An alternative approach is to enhance the design and implementation of localized solutions like microgrids. These can help manage and stabilize energy supply in remote areas while supporting the broader renewable energy objectives. This project aligns with these goals by focusing on optimizing microgrid design for remote communities, thereby contributing to the national strategy for reliable and sustainable energy.

Research Themes: This project is aligned with the research themes of Sustainable green transition. By developing microgrids powered by renewable resources, this project fits within the scope of the Industrial AI Research Centre. 

End-User Priorities: The project addresses the priorities of key stakeholders such as the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the South Australian Department of Mines and Energy, Regional Development Australia and South Australian Power Networks. These organizations are focused on improving energy reliability and reducing costs for remote communities, making the project's outcomes highly relevant and impactful.

Applicants are required to have

• Research experience 
• Industry experience and
• Community engagement

What you’ll do 

The project aims to improve the reliability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of energy supply in remote Australian communities through microgrids. Key outcomes are classified into technical and socio-economic categories.

Technical Outcomes:

• Increase Reliability: The project will improve power reliability in remote areas by optimizing microgrids with renewable energy and storage systems.
• Identify Cost-Effective DER Configurations: The project will use advanced economic evaluation to identify the most cost-effective DER configurations for microgrids.
• Integrate Renewable Energy: The project will boost local renewable energy use to reduce dependence on external power grids and enhance energy self-sufficiency.
• Mitigate Bushfire Risks: The project will demonstrate how microgrids can minimize power disruptions during bushfires, ensuring stable and resilient power.
• Disseminate Knowledge: The project will share findings through reports and community engagement to promote broader microgrid adoption.

Economic and Socio-Economic Outcomes:

• Present the feasibility of renewable-powered microgrids to attract investment.
• Create jobs and training opportunities in renewable energy systems.
• Improve business confidence with reliable power and reduce disruptions in essential services.
• Address technical, financial, and regulatory challenges for easier microgrid adoption.
• Lower carbon emissions through renewable energy integration.
• Reduce living costs and enhance health, education, telecommunications, and essential services.

The project will establish a framework for microgrid deployment, enhance energy independence, and support Australia’s sustainability goals.

Engagement: The potential engagements for this project include collaborating with local communities, the South Australian Department of Energy and Mining, utilities like SA Power Network, Regional Development Australia, and educational institutions.

Where you’ll be based 

Industrial AI (IAI)

Professor Boland has led or been a chief investigator on 9 ARC projects - including 4 in this field of research - and 4 ARENA projects. He has supervised - either as principle or co-supervisor of 35 PhD students, both at UniSA and overseas, and 4 Masters by Research students. Over half of his 200+ research papers have been in conjunction with HDR students. He has also supervised numerous postdoctoral researchers in projects.

Dr. Mohammed Haque is a Senior Lecturer with significant experience in teaching and research in the areas of power systems and renewable energy systems. All of his current supervision and co-supervision of PhD and Master’s research projects focus on various aspects of renewable energy systems. He has published numerous articles in top-tier journals, and his publications have received more than 5,000 citations on Google Scholar, with an H-index of 39.

Mrs. Sharma is a lecturer in Power Engineering in UniSA STEM and has almost a decade of experience in teaching and research in the areas of renewables and their integration with the power system. She brings specialized expertise in cost-benefit analysis of renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind. Her role will focus on analysing the economic and reliability aspects of microgrids, using various tariffs and distribution models. Dr. Haque will collaborate with Ms. Sharma to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and reliability of microgrids for remote communities. Ms. Sharma submitted her PhD and expects her conferral in early 2025. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses.  A fee offset for the standard term of the program is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Additionally, any Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicant who holds an offer of admission without a living allowance will be eligible for the Aboriginal Enterprise Research Scholarship. This scholarship is to the value of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). Any Aboriginal Enterprise Research Scholarship recipient will also receive a fee waiver. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection 

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. 

Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria, and have: 

• Research experience 
• Industry experience and
• Community engagement

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our Mawson Lakes Campus in the north of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates 

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Monday 10 March 2025.