DEVELOPING STANDARDS FOR THE RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY

The renewable energy industry has developed rapidly over the last 10 years and with this development comes an urgent need for standards to ensure safety and reliability of these new systems. Engineers at the UNSW are playing a pivotal role in developing standards aimed at reducing the risk of electrocutions, fire, improving reliability and preparing the industry for export.

Mr Ted Spooner, a senior lecturer at the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, has received $194,000 from the Australian Greenhouse Office to develop standards for: installation of photovoltaic arrays, (the panels that convert collected light into energy); for inverters, which convert the energy from PV arrays to the ac power used in powerpoints; for industry contracts and for participation in international standards development. UNSW and Standards Australia will prepare them in consultation with the renewable energy industry with the aim of improving the quality and reliability of systems.

"Photovoltaic arrays were initially used in small low power, low voltage systems sometimes put together by enthusiasts. Now with the technology maturing, much larger systems are being used. In some cases these systems are up to 1Mega Watt in rating. Larger systems require careful construction and safety measures. Anything above 120 volts dc can be life threatening, and photovoltaic arrays require special treatment because much of the wiring is generally DC. DC currents are harder to interrupt and can introduce extra fire risks," said Mr Spooner.

He also said that by improving the quality of the industry The Australian Greenhouse Office was preparing it for export. "There are very little in the way of photovoltaic installation standards worldwide, and once we get this right in Australia we're hoping to feed it into the international arena," Mr Spooner said.

CONTACT DETAILS: Mr Ted Spooner, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, tel. 9385 4047 or Annabel Day, UNSW Public Affairs & Development, tel. 9385 3644.