cleaner

energy
Smart grids
Smart grids, when fully deployed, will allow more efficient operation of the electricity system and increased uptake of renewable electricity sources such as wind and solar. Monash researchers are developing information and communication technologies to enable the smart-grid and are investigating economic regulation proposals that will maximise their benefit to the consumer. Research includes:
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Global warming represents one of the biggest environmental challenges facing humanity in the modern age. Monash researchers are investigating pioneering technologies such as carbon capture and geosequestration as possible strategies for tackling global warming.
Low emission coal technologies
Monash is exploring how cleaner energy can be produced from Victorias vast brown coal reserves. CO2 emissions could be potentially reduced to near zero through pioneering technologies like carbon storage and geosequestration. Research projects include:
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Fuel cell application a current project involving evaluation of brown coal derived carbon for use in the direct carbon fuel cell Coal to liquids potential exists for projects on direct liquefaction, gasification and Fischer-Tropsch type processes to produce liquid fuels and chemicals. Current projects include catalytic synthesis of coal gas to liquid transportation fuel

Coal drying the first step in utilisation of high moisture coals Coal gasification current projects include: fundamental and practical scale experimental work on entrained flow gasification, complemented by modelling, aimed at commercial application for power generation and chemical production Oxy-fuel combustion an innovative way of producing a concentrated stream of carbon dioxide using both conventional pulverised fuel and fluidised bed combustion modes, through the pre-combustion separation of nitrogen from oxygen in normal air Chemical looping combustion another new generation technology for easier capture of carbon dioxide and production of hydrogen at the same time

Membranes
Polymer and polymer composite membranes are being developed for clean energy and environmental applications including gas separation and fuel cells.

Mobile sensing technology to enable smart grids Using wireless technologies to monitor underground cables Predicting the change in consumer energy consumption
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Power engineering
Monash is working to make electricity usage more efficient by researching:
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Carbon storage
Researchers at Monash have been investigating CO2 storage opportunities over the last eight years. The aim is to provide a technical demonstration of deep geological CO2 sequestration systems. Their vision is for a future where deep geological CO2 sequestration systems provide an immediate and affordable option for controlling the impacts of global warming.

System harmonics and their control Power system reliability High voltage-insulation condition monitoring Power electronic converters Energy storage systems

Australia

China

India

Italy

Malaysia

South Africa

Delivering impact
Enhancing geothermal energy Enhanced geothermal energy and underground energy storage offer exciting alternatives for addition of renewable energy. However, development of these new energy options requires greater understanding of the technical engineering challenges they pose. The insulated rock sequences used to provide or store heat energy are crystalline and do not allow free flow of heat carrying/storing fluids. Development of methods to enhance fluid flow within a closed volume in crystalline rock will be critical to success of the technology.

Associate Professor Ranjith Pathegama, is leading Australian research to address these challenges. By performing experimental and numerical simulation of the reservoir enhancement process, researchers have been able to better understand crystalline rock response under the expected pressure and temperature conditions. The results will be used to inform development of new energy alternatives integral to efforts to curb human-induced climate change. Australias peak research body, The Australian Research Council (ARC) funded Monash University the largest share of the ARC Linkage

Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities funding in 2011. Monash was awarded $940,000 towards producing a $1.9M large-scale (1m3) reactor to experimentally simulate enhanced geothermal energy and underground energy storage. Monash has also commenced design and construction on two advanced devices capable of simulating rock fracture and flow at temperatures up to 400C and depths up to 8km. These devices will extend existing laboratory simulation to allow the full suite of rock fracture and flow behaviour to be studied on a larger-scale than was previously possible.

Monash University seeks to work in partnership with industry to answer the challenges facing the energy sector. Companies can engage with Monash through a range of mechanisms.
Key people
Low emission coal technology Associate Professor Sankar Bhattacharya Sankars research includes advanced coal and biomass utilization for fuel cell, power and fuel and chemicals through gasification and combustion, and biofuels including algae. Brown coal Professor Alan Chaffee Alan is researching new more efficient uses for brown coal, including coal conversion to chemicals and other products. He is also developing improved approaches for carbon dioxide capture and utilisation. Geothermal energy Associate Professor, Ranjith Pathegama Gamage Ranjiths expertise is in carbon sequestration and geothermal energy. Membranes Professor Huanting Wang, and Associate Professor Bradley Ladewig These researchers are experts in development of membranes which have a wide range of applications, including clean energy.

Specific contract research

Monashs Industry Engagement and Commercialisation Group can assist organisations interested in arranging research contracts with Monash University.

Collaboration through leveraging government funding

The Australian Government has a range of funding programs, such as the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Scheme, to foster and Support collaborative research and development between university researchers and external partner organisations.

Consultancy
Monash Consulting Services (MCS) connects companies to internationally respected experts in a diverse range of fields including science, engineering, health sciences, economics, sustainability and education. Additionally, MCS can arrange access to an integrated network of world-class technology platforms suitable for a wide range of cutting edge technology applications including: materials analysis, manufacturing optimisation, nanotechnology, aerodynamic analysis, advanced imaging and biological analysis.

Licensing
Monash has a portfolio of intellectual property available for licensing to companies. Monash is recognised for its success in developing new products and services with commercial partners.

John Monash Innovation Institute

The John Monash Innovation Institute provides a platform for collaboration under an open innovation model where companies can reduce their financial and technical risk by cooperating with research organisations on solutions for commercial problems.

Who we are
Monash University is a global leader in innovative, multidisciplinary research. Ranked in the top 100* universities in the world, Monash is Australias largest university.

Contact us
Industry Engagement and Commercialisation Dr Heather St John, Director Industry Engagement Tel: +61 3 9902 9854 Email: heather.stjohn@monash.edu

www.monash.edu/industry

CRICOS provider: Monash University 00008C

12P-1309

All information contained in this document is current at time of publication. Monash University reserves the right to alter this information at any time please check the Monash University website for updates (www.monash.edu.au). Published October 2012.