Siemens plans future energy grid laboratory in Australia
Siemens and Swinburne University of Technology in Australia have agreed to set up an energy transitions hub, with the aim to build a future energy grid laboratory to develop and test clean energy technologies.
The hub is being touted by the partners as the most advanced future energy transition hub of its kind in Australia.
Located at the University’s Hawthorn campus in Melbourne, the hub will feature advanced digital energy technology from Siemens and the technical, Research and Development (R&D) and teaching expertise of Swinburne.
The AU$5.2 million (US$3.6 million) hub aims to build a future energy grid laboratory accessible to students and industry to work on solutions for greener, more efficient future energy systems through Siemens Xcelerator, their open digital business platform and marketplace.
The hub’s offerings
The hub will enable users to leverage digital twins of energy grids, map scenarios, research new findings, develop original and creative hypotheses and test results.
It will be home to a digital twin of Australia’s energy grid that commercial research teams can use to run simulations of new, innovative solutions and software.
In addition to microgrid and planning stations, the hub will also feature Siemens’ Microgrid Management System (MGMS) and Decentralised Energy Optimization Platform (DEOP) software.
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The microgrid technologies include Sicam A8000 and Siprotec 5 devices for control and protection. The planning stations feature Siemens PSS software which is used by over 70% of utilities and independent system operators including AEMO and grid operators.
Deputy vice-chancellor, research, professor Karen Hapgood, stated, “Australia’s ambitious carbon reduction targets need a multi-pronged approach by industry, research and government.
“The new Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub will be working on new technologies to improve energy efficiency, supply, integration, storage, transport and use, as well as how we can improve existing technologies and frameworks.”
Jose Moreira, country business unit head – grid software, Siemens Australia and New Zealand, added: “Tackling the speed and change in the energy landscape to create solutions that help achieve net zero requires a collaborative and co-creative approach…
“The Hub features some of the latest and best technology used by organisations across the world and will hopefully spark new Australian innovations for future energy challenges.”
In addition to R&D and commercialisation projects, the hub will deliver short courses for industry professionals. It will also give back to Swinburne students, with Siemens software and the company’s real-world industry experience integrated into engineering technology courses.
