energy markets and systems

Using world-leading high performance computing tools, Monash researchers are helping to address key policy and market problems.
These challenges range from the forecasting of peak demand, a key input into energy system investment planning, through to developing regulations and policies needed to ensure the system is managed and developed as efficiently as possible.
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Determine economically optimal deployment strategies and trade-offs between geographical locations and investment in transmission infrastructure Model tradeoffs between electricity transmission and gas pipeline infrastructure

Incorporate the impacts of changes in future prices of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas Impacts of closure of high emitting generators

Modelling of carbon price

Models used to forecast carbon price can also forecast the future impacts of different carbon prices on electricity wholesale prices and retail prices by taking into account:
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Grid and cloud computing

Modelling investment in transmission lines and deployment of new power generation sources into the grid is already an intensive task. In order to deploy sufficient renewable energy resources to meet emission reduction targets the models required are now even more resource hungry. Tools are being developed at Monash to offer industry the ability to:
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Monash researchers are working with the Australian power industry and other universities to make these tools available to meet the constantly growing needs of policy makers and other stakeholders.

Carbon price forecasting

Carbon prices critically depend on the mix of technologies used in energy production and on the future costs of low emission technologies. Our researchers are developing models that:
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The running costs of existing power stations The current and future costs of coal, natural gas and other fossil fuels Different wholesale market competition behaviour and merit order of dispatch effects Transmission system resistive losses and constraints. Transmission and distribution tariffs

Better manage the proliferation of input scenarios and combinations of assumptions Run large numbers of these scenarios at the same time on grid and cloud computing infrastructure on Monashs eResearch resources

Predict the impacts of various emission reduction trajectories on future carbon prices by incorporating energy market models developed in collaboration with industry

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Australia

China

India

Italy

Malaysia

South Africa

Key people

Carbon pricing Gujji Muthuswamy Gujji has 30 years experience in energy trading risk management and retail and distribution pricing. He runs a course on carbon pricing for the Faculty of Business and Economics.

Regulation of competitive energy markets Professor Stephen King Stephen is an expert in electricity regulation and provides advice to regulators and electricity companies.

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

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.

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.

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.

Greenhouse issues Professor Philip Adams Philip has contributed to a wide range of greenhouse policy discussions in Australia and overseas. He has completed model development projects for the Garnaut Climate Change Review and the Federal Treasury.

Energy forecasting Professor Rob Hyndman Rob Hyndman is Professor of Statistics at Monash University and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Forecasting. He advises various electricity regulators and distributors on forecasting long-term energy demand.

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.

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
CRICOS provider: Monash University 00008C

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
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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.