BACKGROUND AND AIM:  

Middleton Group, an Australian specialist electrical consulting engineering organization, wishes to analyze the impact of Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter (REFCL) on traditional protection elements and identify ways to detect the earth fault in the High Voltage (HV) customer network.

Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter (REFCL) is a protective device that mitigates grass and bushfire ignition through limiting fault current energy following a powerline coming into contact with earth, typically as a result of a fallen powerline. Victorian government have deployed the REFCL device which will be installed in the zone substation and will be owned and operated by the power utilities.

REFCLs will reduce bushfires from faulty powerlines, better protecting Victorian lives and property from catastrophic bushfires. Bushfires ignited by powerlines contributed to the deaths of 159 of the 173 Victorians who died during the devastating 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. The Victorian Government established the Powerline Bushfire Safety Program to implement recommendations of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. REFCLs are a critical component of this $750 million program of works. REFCLs have been demonstrated to be highly effective in managing powerline faults by rapidly limiting the energy release on high voltage 22kV powerlines. REFCLs are being placed at 45 major electrical installations (called substations) in high-risk bushfire areas.

DELIVERABLES:

WORK METHOD:

• Students work under the supervision of RMIT academic supervisor.
• Middleton Group appoints a contact person to help students access to data and information. There should be regular (fortnightly/monthly) meetings between students and Middleton Group.

DESIRED STUDENT ATTRIBUTES:

• UG/PG electrical engineering students
• Basic power system engineering and modelling
• Basic power system software knowledge
• Intermediate spreadsheet skills
• Self-motivated.

BACKGROUND AND AIM:

Essential Services Commission (ESC) is an independent regulator that promotes the long- term interests of Victorian consumers with respect to the price, quality and reliability of essential services.

ESC is administering the Victorian Energy Upgrades Program (formerly the VEET Scheme) which awards energy efficiency certificates for proving energy savings using a method called measurement and verification. These custom project-based activities can encompass nearly any technology, and one of the features of this method is that applicants can claim savings for several years in advance, by applying a persistence model to their savings which describe how the energy efficiency of the equipment decreases over time with wear etc. For example, some solar PV projects may be able to claim for up to 9.91 years at once (the maximum available period is 10 years). Things that affect persistence may include factors such as maintenance requirements, wear, fouling, corrosion etc.

Currently ESC is using a tool developed by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage which includes the persistence models for several technology equipment types (https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/business/piamv-tool.htm). Applicants can use one of these models, or if a model does not exist, they can either propose their own, or use a conservative set of default decay factors which may over-estimate the decay.

It is recognized that this tool is not applicable to some technology types, including biomass boilers. Biomass boilers may use a range of different fuels types which includes eligible types of wood, food and municipal waste among others. Background about the method can be found here: https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/victorian-energy-upgrades-program/activities-offered-under-veu-program/project-based-activities/measurement-and-verification-method and specifically the detailed document providing details of how we administer M&V is found here https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/DMS%20464%20-%20PBL%20-%20Measurement%20and%20Verification%20Method%20Activity%20Guide%20-%20V4.0%20-%2020181211_2.pdf

ESC wishes to engage RMIT students in a project aiming to develop a persistence model which describes biomass boilers and the depreciation of their energy efficiency over a ten-year period.

DELIVERABLES:

WORK METHOD:

• Students work under the supervision of RMIT academic supervisor.
• ESC appoints a contact person to help students access to data and info. There should be regular (fortnightly/monthly) meetings between students and ESC to discuss the project progress.

DESIRED STUDENT ATTRIBUTES:

• UG/PG Sustainable Systems/Sustainable Energy Engineering students.

Industry partner: Sustainability Victoria (SV)

Sustainability Victoria (SV) supports Victorians to be more sustainable in their everyday life; in their homes, jobs, schools and communities and in the systems and infrastructure that support a thriving Victorian economy and lifestyle. Sustainability Victoria aims to improve the way Victoria manages its resources and helps its communities to take action on climate change. Sustainability Victoria provides expert advice and guidance about energy, materials and waste and conducts research that demonstrates what is possible and inspires people to make sustainable change above and beyond legal requirements.

Project aim:

SV is currently running a project working with volume home builders to build and sell ZNC home. A key aim is to ensure sustainable homes can be built for a cost sensitive market. A key part of the project is a compliance program to ensure the ‘as-built’ house meets the ZNC requirements.

In order to ensure the as-built compliance program is well designed SV would like someone to undertake a research on best practices programs in Europe and America. This will help inform, along with the outcomes from the project, the design of a rigorous ZNC program.

Project tasks:

The research would cover:
– Compliance programs across the world of ZNC homes
– Recorded benefits of ZNC homes
– Accreditation programs for compliance of both the as-built and the designers

Project deliverables:

• A report of consolidated findings
• A PowerPoint presentation of research project

Timeline:
– July – October 2019 (Semester 2)

Work Method:

– Students are required to attend the kick-off meeting with SV to fully understand the requirements from SV. A returned project brief together with a project plan is required after this meeting.
– Students then work on their own and/or under the supervision/instructions of the supervisor to meet the agreed timeline.
– SV will appoint a contact person who helps students with data access or any question/queries regarding the requirements of the project.

Industry partner: Sustainability Victoria (SV)

Sustainability Victoria (SV) supports Victorians to be more sustainable in their everyday life; in their homes, jobs, schools and communities and in the systems and infrastructure that support a thriving Victorian economy and lifestyle. Sustainability Victoria aims to improve the way Victoria manages its resources and helps its communities to take action on climate change. Sustainability Victoria provides expert advice and guidance about energy, materials and waste and conducts research that demonstrates what is possible and inspires people to make sustainable change above and beyond legal requirements.

Project aim:

The Victorian Government has run several small- scale (around 1000 homes) energy efficiency retrofit programs to help reduce energy costs for low income households, while improving thermal comfort and health outcomes. To help Victoria reach zero-net-carbon (ZNC) by 2050 significant reductions of emissions from the residential sector will have to take place. A large scale retrofit program for low income households could be part of this reduction in emissions.

In this project SV would like to engage one or two students in a research to study similar government-led energy retrofit programs that have happened across the world.

Project tasks:

The research would cover:
– Different models of large scale retrofits
– What made a successful large scale (in excess of 100,000 homes) energy retrofit program
– The challenges in scaling up a retrofit program
– How the retrofit programs were financed eg social bond, co-contribution from home owner, philanthropic etc

Project deliverables:

A report of consolidated findings
– A PowerPoint presentation of research project

Timeline:
– July – October 2019 (Semester 2)

Work Method:

– Students are required to attend the kick-off meeting with SV to fully understand the requirements from SV. A returned project brief together with a project plan is required after this meeting.
– Students then work on their own and/or under the supervision/instructions of the supervisor to meet the agreed timeline.
– SV will appoint a contact person who helps students with data access or any question/queries regarding the requirements of the project.

Industry partner: Sustainability Victoria (SV)

Sustainability Victoria’s (SV) statutory objective is to facilitate and promote environmental sustainability in the use of resources. Established under the Sustainability Victoria Act 2005, SV is a statutory authority with a board appointed by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change.

Under the National Food Waste Strategy, Victoria has a commitment to help half food waste by 2030. Despite the recent production of a national food waste baseline that maps food was across the supply chain, food waste from grain oils is excluded from this report. As such, it is presently unclear what the size of food waste from this sector is, which makes it difficult to understand its environmental impacts.

Food waste is a multifaceted issue that impacts climate change, water security, food security and the economy. Across the supply chain, food waste contributes almost the same emissions to global warming as road transport. If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of emissions after China and the US. Presently, more food waste is sent to landfill than plastic and glass combined, costing Victorian councils over $21M each year. As Australia’s largest agricultural producer and food exporter, food waste in Victoria also represents a significant economic loss, as around 30% of food produced in Victoria’s $14.02 billion-dollar agricultural sector is wasted. As primary food production accounts for up to 70% of Australian water, minimizing food waste across the supply chain also represents a significant opportunity to increase water security and drought resilience in a changing climate. The importance of this cannot be underestimated; drought in 2003-04 reduced Australia’s agricultural output by 24%, costing Australia $3 billion and 70,000 jobs. CSIRO predicts increased quantity and severity of drought events in Victoria as a response to climate change; to feed its future population, Victoria cannot afford to waste water in its food systems. Finally, diverting edible food waste to communities in need will help support the 3.6 million Australians that experience food insecurity each year, providing both social and health benefits from increased access to food and nutrients.

To date, it is unknown what research has been conducted to explore food waste arisings from the grain-oils supply chain and no such data has been commissioned by SV. SV are presently investigating options to half food waste across the food supply chain and this research study will inform future interventions by SV in this space with the ultimate outcome of improving environmental outcomes.

Project aim:

The objective of the project is to identify the volumes and drivers of food waste arisings throughout the Victorian agricultural sector, specifically relating to pre-harvest losses. Any food ready for harvest that were not harvested, or were rejected from pack-house post picking, are not included in scope for this project.

This project aims to gain an understanding of the total quantities of food waste currently generated from pre-harvest losses in the agricultural sector to identify if future interventions are required and likely to improve environmental outcomes (i.e. reduced carbon emissions, improved water and food security).

• Identify total quantities of food waste generated within from pre-harvest losses (animal and non-animal primary production)
• Identify why pre-harvest food waste occurs (i.e. drought, prohibitive cost of production, famine, plague, natural disaster, weather, pre-harvest thinning etc.) and whether losses are avoidable (i.e. starvation – animals; plague – plants) or unavoidable (thinning to maximize output)
• Identify what systems are currently in place, if any, to minimize waste losses
• Identify cost of pre-harvest losses to provide an estimate of savings for potential waste avoidance/minimization interventions.
• Provide proposed solutions to reduce pre-harvest food waste as identified in consultation with industry or desktop analysis, based on Victorian interventions or those from other jurisdictions (National/International).

Timeframe:

It is expected that the project would be completed at the end of Semester 1. However, extension of the project duration is negotiable.

Project deliverables:

The deliverables of the project are will be discussed on acceptance of the project, in consultation between SV and the RMIT student. A final report, executive summary and presentation to key SV employees will be required at the completion of the project. Interim deliverables will be discussed between SV and the RMIT student.

Student selection:

• Key attributes include excellent written communication skills, self-directed and highly motivated, good research skills, organisational/planning prioritising/time management/ability to meet deadlines.
• Honours and Masters students are preferred.

Applications (CV) should be sent to Nina Nguyen at nina.nguyen@rmit.edu.au

Industry partner: Sustainability Victoria (SV)

Sustainability Victoria’s (SV) statutory objective is to facilitate and promote environmental sustainability in the use of resources. Established under the Sustainability Victoria Act 2005, SV is a statutory authority with a board appointed by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change.

Under the National Food Waste Strategy, Victoria has a commitment to help half food waste by 2030. Despite the recent production of a national food waste baseline that maps food was across the supply chain, food waste from grain oils is excluded from this report. As such, it is presently unclear what the size of food waste from this sector is, which makes it difficult to understand its environmental impacts.

Food waste is a multifaceted issue that impacts climate change, water security, food security and the economy. Across the supply chain, food waste contributes almost the same emissions to global warming as road transport. If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of emissions after China and the US. Presently, more food waste is sent to landfill than plastic and glass combined, costing Victorian councils over $21M each year. As Australia’s largest agricultural producer and food exporter, food waste in Victoria also represents a significant economic loss, as around 30% of food produced in Victoria’s $14.02 billion-dollar agricultural sector is wasted. As primary food production accounts for up to 70% of Australian water, minimizing food waste across the supply chain also represents a significant opportunity to increase water security and drought resilience in a changing climate. The importance of this cannot be underestimated; drought in 2003-04 reduced Australia’s agricultural output by 24%, costing Australia $3 billion and 70,000 jobs. CSIRO predicts increased quantity and severity of drought events in Victoria as a response to climate change; to feed its future population, Victoria cannot afford to waste water in its food systems. Finally, diverting edible food waste to communities in need will help support the 3.6 million Australians that experience food insecurity each year, providing both social and health benefits from increased access to food and nutrients.

To date, it is unknown what research has been conducted to explore food waste arisings from the grain-oils supply chain and no such data has been commissioned by SV. SV are presently investigating options to half food waste across the food supply chain and this research study will inform future interventions by SV in this space with the ultimate outcome of improving environmental outcomes.

Project aim:

The objective of the project is to identify the volumes and drivers of food waste arisings throughout the Victorian animal feed supply chain, from primary production to animal consumption.

This project aims to gain an understanding of the total quantities of food waste currently generated within the animal feed sector to identify if future interventions are required and likely to improve environmental outcomes (i.e. reduced carbon emissions, improved water and food security). The study will address organics generated throughout the entire animal feed supply chain including primary production (from point of harvest, including crops left on field/dug-in, but excluding pre-harvest losses). transport and storage, secondary production (if relevant), consumption by animal, and any other identifiable categories within the supply chain.

• Identify total quantities of food waste generated within the animal feed supply chain (including avoidable and unavoidable food waste, but excluding non-food products such as wheat stubs from harvesting wheat grain)
• Identify why food waste occurs in each phase of the supply chain and what systems are currently in place, if any, to minimize waste losses
• Identify cost of waste to each sector of the supply chain, as to provide an estimate of savings for potential waste avoidance/minimization interventions.
• Provide proposed solutions to reduce food waste in the animal feed supply chain as identified in consultation with industry or desktop analysis, based on Victorian interventions or those from other jurisdictions National/International).
• Quantify what percentage of the animal feed supply chain is contributed to from human-food waste, primarily arising from food manufacture and retail food diversion.

Timeframe:

It is expected that the project would be completed at the end of Semester 1. However, extension of the project duration is negotiable.

Project deliverables:

The deliverables of the project are will be discussed on acceptance of the project, in consultation between SV and the RMIT student. A final report, executive summary and presentation to key SV employees will be required at the completion of the project. Interim deliverables will be discussed between SV and the RMIT student.

Student selection:

• Key attributes include excellent written communication skills, self-directed and highly motivated, good research skills, organisational/planning prioritising/time management/ability to meet deadlines.
• Honours and Masters students are preferred.

Applications (CV) should be sent to Nina Nguyen at nina.nguyen@rmit.edu.au

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8525214@N06/40498167353/