Page 27 - Tropic Magazine Issue 26

TROPIC • EDUCATION

What does
smart grid do?

More efficient transmission of
Powering ahead electricity
Quicker restoration of electricity
SMART GRID after power disturbances
CQUniversity’s Cairns campus over long distances and with high Reduced operations and
is turning challenges into voltage levels.” management costs for utilities,
and ultimately lower power
opportunities with future- “In comparison, Smart Grid is not a costs for consumers
driven technology. single device or a complete system. Reduced peak demand, which
Smart Grid is the conventional will also help lower electricity
Words: Annabel Bowles power system, plus a community of rates
Power, water security and waste are decentralised power generators, all of
some of the largest long-term issues of which are interconnected. In a Smart Better integration of customer-
the modern day, but these challenges Grid, each element in the chain of owned power generation
don’t deter students and researchers at generation, transmission, distribution systems, including renewable
energy systems
CQUniversity Cairns. and consumption can be monitored and
The local campus is working hard to controlled.” Source: US Dept. of Energy
address these concerns, and more like
them, ensuring the city is ready to adapt
to emerging technologies in the process. critical when it comes to enabling and
With the backing of world-class supporting technologies like Smart Grid.
academics, CQUni is preparing Before delving “Smart Grid technology is an exciting
Engineering and Information Technology into Smart way forward, and with world-class
graduates for the opportunities that lie researchers in the field, based right here
ahead in Smart Grid power systems. Grid, we first in Cairns, we have a fantastic ability to
Lecturer in Engineering (Electrical) Dr need to understand the capitalise on their knowledge and turn
Kianoush Emami is just one of CQUni’s their research into future opportunities
leading researchers forging the future of shortcomings of our for the region,” Ms Duignan-George said.
power solutions. current power production “At CQU we offer courses in engineering
An expert in Smart Grid power systems, and distribution. in the fields of electrical, mechanical,
Dr Emami is excited to see the faculty civil, mechatronics and mining and our
develop its knowledge on this cutting- interdisciplinary, collaborative approach
edge technology. Dr Kianoush Emami ensures graduates are well-equipped to
Researcher, CQUni
“In traditional power systems, electricity understand and therefore come up with
is generated in centralised power plants solutions to the issues we will face in the
which run on fossil fuels, including coal CQUniversity Associate Vice-President future.”
and gas, and produce pollution,” he for the Cairns and Far North Queensland
explained. “The generated electricity then Region Jodie Duignan-George said the MORE: cqu.edu.au
needs to be transmitted to the consumer knowledge of experts like Dr Emami is

27 • tropicnow.com.au