Curtin University has launched the Green Electric Energy Park (GEEP), a new laboratory showcasing $1.2 million of renewable energy systems, which will be used for teaching and for research.
The GEEP laboratory features renewable energy-based electric power generation technology including solar photovoltaic arrays, wind turbines, micro-hydro turbines and fuel cell stacks.
[Pictured alongside is Vertical Axis Wind Turbine at the GEEP facility at Curtin University.]
The on-site energy sources can be connected to the utility grid or used to produce stand-alone power supplies.
Data measured via the electrical network and real-time weather data, also measured on-site, is available digitally on workstation computers in lecture theatres via the Curtin local area network and over the internet for teaching and research purposes.
All feeds from the renewable energy sources and network operating systems will also be made available to research stations, where there will be experiments on new ways of combining, controlling and converting renewable energy sources.
[Pictured alongside is the polycrystalline PV Array at the GEEP facility at Curtin University.]
Dr Sumedha Rajakaruna, lead designer and Director of GEEP, said the facility was built on futuristic power system concepts.
“Green Electric Energy Park incorporates state-of-the-art power systems which add an exciting element to what we have to offer to our students and our State in the field of science and engineering,” Dr Rajakaruna said.
The GEEP design was hailed as one of the ‘New Initiatives in Power Engineering Education’ by the industry leading professional body, the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEEE) Power and Energy Society at its annual general meeting in the US last year.
GEEP was funded by Curtin and the Australian Power Institute and was officially declared open by Dr Mike Nahan MLA, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy on 26 November.
Pictured above are (L-R) Curtin Pro Vice Chancellor Andris Stelbovics, Professor Syed Islam, Dr Mike Nahan and Dr Sumedha Rajakaruna at the new GEEP laboratory.