Sustainable Energy for Distributed Generation

Distributed energy systems (energy generation systems that are connected to the distribution grid or energy supply systems that displace the load on the grid) are becoming an increasingly important means of meeting society's energy requirements and are also regarded as having the potential to address energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable distributed energy systems include PV, micro gas turbine, solar thermal, solar hot water, mini hydro-electric, bio-energy, and small wind energy systems. The list of available technologies is likely to increase with the development of new technologies, such as wave energy systems.

Renewable Energy Systems Design & Consultancy Services

Governments and industries around the world are increasingly looking for ways to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from their operations. Improving the efficiency of energy use is often the lowest greenhouse gas reduction option available and is also very often a useful means of effectively reducing operating costs.

Installing renewable energy systems is also an effective way to reduce emissions and increase self-sufficiency in energy supply. RISE can provide expertise in the design of renewable energy systems to client specifications and the preparation of the subsequent tender documents.

The RISE energy management & renewable energy systems design team, comprising qualified engineers and consultants with significant industry and sustainable energy experience, can provide the following services:

Renewable Energy Systems Design – access to accredited renewable energy designers
Energy Efficient Building Designs - expertise in “eco-architecture” for energy efficient building designs and retrofits
Independent Commissioning Tests – independent assessments of renewable energy systems & components to validate manufacturer’s claims
Renewable Energy Systems Appraisals and Tender Evaluations – independent financial and technical appraisals of proposals for renewable energy system installations
Energy Auditing – perform baseline audits and develop Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for benchmarking for commercial organisations
Life Cycle Cost Benefit Analyses – economic analysis and feasibility of energy management policies and strategies to reduce emissions
GHG Emissions Abatement Strategies – investigate and develop GHG emission mitigation strategies for government & industries
Local and State Government Programs – assist councils and government organisations achieve and exceed their emissions reduction targets and create and maintain energy and emissions databases

Testing Services

ResLab provides a range of testing services for components and systems used in distributed generation systems.

Standards Development

A key industry support activity of RISE is the involvement in the development of standards both nationally and internationally.

Professional Development and Training

Professional development and training of industry participants is another key area where RISE assists industry and the community. The courses offered by RISE are developed in collaboration with industry, standards groups and universities.

Very Large Scale PV Systems

RISE's research interests include the use of renewable energy distributed generation systems as a means of reducing the costs of meeting both peak load and of supplying reliable power in regional areas. The Shire of Perenjori commissioned RISE to undertake an assessment of the social, environmental, economic and other costs and benefits of connecting very large photovoltaic (VLPV) systems to the grid in regional areas of Western Australia. RISE is a member of the Australian Photovoltaic Power System (PVPS) consortium, which is a participant in the International Energy Agency’s PVPS program. One of the programs, Task 8, focuses on very large scale photovoltaic power generation systems.

The Perenjori Shire PV Project

The Perenjori’s Shire’s interest in utilising renewable energy systems to meet future increased energy requirements in the Shire has led to the development of an integrated approach. The concept of a Perenjori Energy Park integrates the production of ethanol from wheat straw and hemp, a 3 MW gas (syngas from the bioethanol plant) turbine and small solar (PV) renewable electricity generation plan. The proposed project will be a collaborative project involving the University of Western Australian and Murdoch University (RISE).

RISE’s Involvement in the Solar Cities Programme

The Solar Cities Programme was announced in June 2004 and will consist of trials of integrated and widespread take-up of cost reflective electricity tariffs, interval metering, load management measures, energy efficiency measures and distributed renewable energy generation. At least four cities will participate and will be selected through a competitive process. Two Western Australian groups or consortia were short-listed and invited to submit Detail Business Cases in the Solar Cities Programme and RISE actively participated in the preparation of both the initial Expressions of Interest and the Detailed Business Cases for both WA bids.

Recent RISE Consultancy Services

Recent consultancy services provided by RISE include an independent technical and financial appraisal of a proposed Solar Power Station for the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and an assessment of the options available to the Bunnings Warehouse group to reduce the greenhouse footprint of its stores across Australia.

RISE Publications

RISE research publications focus on the areas of Stand-alone Power Supply (SPS) Systems, Distributed Generation, Sustainable Transport Fuels & Systems and the Built Environment.