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Associate Professor Merlinde Kay

Associate Professor

Engineering

Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Dr. Merlinde Kay is a Lecturer in the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering.

Research Interests

The effects of weather and climate on renewable technologies
Weather forecasting
Wind forecasting
Effects of aerosol particulates on solar technology

Phone

+61 2 9385-4031

E-mail

m.kay@unsw.edu.au

Location

Office Location:Room 215, Tyree Energy Technology Building

Book Chapters | 2014

Kay M; MacGill I, 2014, 'Improving NWP Forecasts for the Wind Energy Sector', in Troccoli A; Dubus L; Haupt SE (ed.), Weather Matters for Energy, Springer New York, New York, pp. 413 - 428, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9221-4_20
Journal articles | 2025

Isaza A; Hilly J; Kay M; Prasad A; Dansie A, 2025, 'Atmospheric aerosols in the South Pacific: A regional baseline and characterization of aerosol fractions', Atmospheric Environment, 346, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121048

Journal articles | 2024

Huang H; Ata S; Rougieux F; Kay M, 2024, 'Decarbonising mining of Australia's critical mineral deposits: Opportunities for sustainable mining through solar photovoltaics and wind energy integration', Journal of Cleaner Production, 455, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142300

Journal articles | 2024

Isaza A; Evans JP; Kay M; Prasad A; Brember S, 2024, 'Impacts of 2019–20 Australian bushfires on solar photovoltaic generation using high-resolution simulations', Solar Energy, 284, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2024.113025

Journal articles | 2024

Poddar S; Evans J; Prasad A; Kay M; Rougieux F; Bremner S, 2024, 'Accelerated degradation of photovoltaic modules under a future warmer climate', Progress in Photovoltaics: research and applications, 32, pp. 456 - 467, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pip.3788

Journal articles | 2024

Poddar S; Kay M; Boland J, 2024, 'A Standardized Sky Condition Classification Method for Multiple Timescales and Its Applications in the Solar Industry', Energies, 17, pp. 4616, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en17184616

Journal articles | 2024

Polo J; Poddar S; Simal N; Ballestrín J; Marzo A; Kay M; Carra E, 2024, 'Solar tower power generation under future attenuation and climate scenarios', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 207, pp. 114997 - 114997, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114997

Journal articles | 2024

Ul Hassan M; Bremner S; Menictas C; Kay M, 2024, 'Assessment of hydrogen and Lithium-ion batteries in rooftop solar PV systems', Journal of Energy Storage, 86, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.111182

Journal articles | 2023

Gilmore N; Koskinen I; Burr P; Obbard E; Sproul A; Konstantinou G; Bilbao J; Daiyan R; Kay M; Corkish R; Macgill I; Lovell E; Menictas C; Bruce A, 2023, 'Identifying weak signals to prepare for uncertainty in the energy sector', Heliyon, 9, pp. e21295, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21295

Journal articles | 2023

Isaza A; Kay M; Evans JP; Prasad A; Bremner S, 2023, 'Air quality impacts on rooftop photovoltaic energy production during the 2019–2020 Australian bushfires season', Solar Energy, 257, pp. 240 - 248, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.04.014

Journal articles | 2023

Isaza A; Kay M; Evans JP; Prasad A; Bremner S, 2023, 'Maximizing photovoltaic potential and minimizing costs in a future warmer climate: The role of atmospheric aerosols and greenhouse gas emissions', Renewable Energy, 219, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.119561

Journal articles | 2023

Liu B; Yang D; Mayer MJ; Coimbra CFM; Kleissl J; Kay M; Wang W; Bright JM; Xia X; Lv X; Srinivasan D; Wu Y; Bayer HG; Yagli GM; Shen Y, 2023, 'Predictability and forecast skill of solar irradiance over the contiguous United States', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 182, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113359

Journal articles | 2023

Poddar S; Evans JP; Kay M; Prasad A; Bremner S, 2023, 'Assessing Australia’s future solar power ramps with climate projections', Scientific Reports, 13, pp. 11503, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38566-z

Journal articles | 2023

Poddar S; Kay M; Prasad A; Evans JP; Bremner S, 2023, 'Changes in solar resource intermittency and reliability under Australia's future warmer climate', Solar Energy, 266, pp. 112039, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.112039

Journal articles | 2022

Bell NO; Bilbao JI; Kay M; Sproul AB, 2022, 'Future climate scenarios and their impact on heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system design and performance for commercial buildings for 2050', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 162, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112363

Journal articles | 2022

Gilmore N; Koskinen I; van Gennip D; Paget G; Burr PA; Obbard EG; Daiyan R; Sproul A; Kay M; Lennon A; Konstantinou G; Hemer M; Gui EM; Gurieff N, 2022, 'Clean energy futures: An Australian based foresight study', Energy, 260, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125089

Journal articles | 2022

Prasad AA; Nishant N; Kay M, 2022, 'Dust cycle and soiling issues affecting solar energy reductions in Australia using multiple datasets', Applied Energy, 310, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.118626

Journal articles | 2022

Yang Y; Bremner S; Menictas C; Kay M, 2022, 'Forecasting error processing techniques and frequency domain decomposition for forecasting error compensation and renewable energy firming in hybrid systems', Applied Energy, 313, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.118748

Journal articles | 2022

Yang Y; Bremner S; Menictas C; Kay M, 2022, 'Modelling and optimal energy management for battery energy storage systems in renewable energy systems: A review', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 167, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112671

Journal articles | 2021

Isaza A; Kay M; Evans JP; Bremner S; Prasad A, 2021, 'Validation of Australian atmospheric aerosols from reanalysis data and CMIP6 simulations', Atmospheric Research, 264, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2021.105856

Journal articles | 2021

Poddar S; Evans JP; Kay M; Prasad A; Bremner S, 2021, 'Estimation of future changes in photovoltaic potential in Australia due to climate change', Environmental Research Letters, 16, pp. 114034, http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac2a64

Journal articles | 2021

Poddar S; Evans JP; Kay MJ; Prasad AA; Bremner S, 2021, 'Estimation of future changes in photovoltaic potential in Australia due to climate change', Environmental Research Letters, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/essoar.10507147.1

Journal articles | 2021

Prasad A; Kay M, 2021, 'Prediction of Solar Power Using Near-Real Time Satellite Data', Energies, 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en14185865

Journal articles | 2021

Prasad AA; Yang Y; Kay M; Menictas C; Bremner S, 2021, 'Synergy of solar photovoltaics-wind-battery systems in Australia', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 152, pp. . - ., http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111693

Journal articles | 2021

Yang Y; Bremner S; Menictas C; Kay M, 2021, 'Impact of forecasting error characteristics on battery sizing in hybrid power systems', Journal of Energy Storage, 39, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2021.102567

Journal articles | 2020

Prasad AA; Kay M, 2020, 'Assessment of simulated solar irradiance on days of high intermittency using WRF-solar', Energies, 13, pp. 385, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en13020385

Journal articles | 2020

Yang D; Alessandrini S; Antonanzas J; Antonanzas-Torres F; Badescu V; Beyer HG; Blaga R; Boland J; Bright JM; Coimbra CFM; David M; Frimane Â; Gueymard CA; Hong T; Kay MJ; Killinger S; Kleissl J; Lauret P; Lorenz E; van der Meer D; Paulescu M; Perez R; Perpiñán-Lamigueiro O; Peters IM; Reikard G; Renné D; Saint-Drenan YM; Shuai Y; Urraca R; Verbois H; Vignola F; Voyant C; Zhang J, 2020, 'Verification of deterministic solar forecasts', Solar Energy, 210, pp. 20 - 37, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.04.019

Journal articles | 2019

Ekins-Daukes N; Kay M, 2019, 'Brighten the dark skies', Nature Energy, 4, pp. 633 - 634, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41560-019-0440-0

Journal articles | 2019

Joshi B; Kay M; Copper JK; Sproul AB, 2019, 'Evaluation of solar irradiance forecasting skills of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's ACCESS models', Solar Energy, 188, pp. 386 - 402, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.06.007

Journal articles | 2019

Yang Y; Bremner S; Menictas C; Kay M, 2019, 'A mixed receding horizon control strategy for battery energy storage system scheduling in a hybrid pv andwind power plant with different forecast techniques', Energies, 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en12122326

Journal articles | 2018

Evans JP; Kay M; Prasad A; Pitman A, 2018, 'The resilience of Australian wind energy to climate change', Environmental Research Letters, 13, pp. 024014, http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aaa632

Journal articles | 2018

Mukkavilli SK; Prasad AA; Taylor RA; Huang J; Mitchell RM; Troccoli A; Kay MJ, 2018, 'Assessment of atmospheric aerosols from two reanalysis products over Australia', Atmospheric Research, 215, pp. 149 - 164, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2018.08.026

Journal articles | 2018

Mukkavilli SK; Prasad AA; Taylor RA; TROCCOLI A; Kay MJ, 2018, 'Mesoscale simulations of Australian direct normal irradiance, featuring an extreme dust event', Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 57, pp. 467 - 515, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-17-0091.1

Journal articles | 2018

Yang Y; Bremner S; Menictas C; Kay M, 2018, 'Battery energy storage system size determination in renewable energy systems: A review', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 91, pp. 109 - 125, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.03.047

Journal articles | 2017

Lazos D; Kay M; Sproul A, 2017, 'Development of a numericalweather analysis tool for assessing the precooling potential at any location', Energies, 10, pp. 21, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en10010021

Journal articles | 2017

Prasad AA; Taylor RA; Kay M, 2017, 'Assessment of solar and wind resource synergy in Australia', Applied Energy, 190, pp. 354 - 367, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.12.135

Journal articles | 2016

Kay M, 2016, 'The application of TAPM for site specificwind energy forecasting', Atmosphere, 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/atmos7020023

Journal articles | 2016

Law EW; Kay M; Taylor RA, 2016, 'Calculating the financial value of a concentrated solar thermal plant operated using direct normal irradiance forecasts', Solar Energy, 125, pp. 267 - 281, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2015.12.031

Journal articles | 2016

Law EW; Kay M; Taylor RA, 2016, 'Evaluating the benefits of using short-term direct normal irradiance forecasts to operate a concentrated solar thermal plant', Solar Energy, 140, pp. 93 - 108, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2016.10.037

Journal articles | 2015

Elliston B; MacGill I; Prasad A; Kay M, 2015, 'Spatio-temporal characterisation of extended low direct normal irradiance events over Australia using satellite derived solar radiation data', Renewable Energy, 74, pp. 633 - 639, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2014.08.067

Journal articles | 2015

Lazos D; Sproul AB; Kay M, 2015, 'Development of hybrid numerical and statistical short term horizon weather prediction models for building energy management optimisation', Building and Environment, 90, pp. 82 - 95, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.03.025

Journal articles | 2015

Prasad AA; Taylor RA; Kay M, 2015, 'Assessment of direct normal irradiance and cloud connections using satellite data over Australia', Applied Energy, 143, pp. 301 - 311, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.01.050

Journal articles | 2014

Dehghan A; Prasad AA; Sherwood SC; Kay M, 2014, 'Evaluation and improvement of TAPM in estimating solar irradiance in Eastern Australia', Solar Energy, 107, pp. 668 - 680, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2014.06.018

Journal articles | 2014

Kay MJ; Lazos D; Sproul AB, 2014, 'Optimisation of energy management in commercial buildings with weather forecasting inputs: A review', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 39, pp. 587 - 603, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.053

Journal articles | 2014

Law EW; Prasad AA; Kay MJ; Taylor R, 2014, 'Direct normal irradiance forecasting and its application to concentrated solar thermal output forecasting – A review', Solar Energy, 108, pp. 287 - 307, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2014.07.008

Journal articles | 2009

Kay MJ; Cutler N; Micolich AP; MacGill IF; Outhred HR, 2009, 'Emerging challenges in wind energy forecasting for Australia', Australian Meteorological Magazine, 58, pp. 99 - 106

Journal articles | 2008

Cutler N; Outhred HR; MacGill IF; Kay MJ; Kepert J, 2008, 'Characterizing Future Large, Rapid Changes in Aggregated Wind Power using Numerical Weather Prediction Spatial Fields', Wind Energy, 12, pp. 542 - 555, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/we.312

Journal articles | 2007

Cutler N; Kay M; Outhred H; MacGill I, 2007, 'High-risk scenarios for wind power forecasting in Australia', European Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition 2007, EWEC 2007, 2, pp. 863 - 874

Journal articles | 2007

Cutler N; Kay MJ; Jacka K; Nielsen T, 2007, 'Detecting, categorizing and forecasting large ramps in wind farm power output using meteorological observations and WPPT', Wind Energy, 10, pp. 453 - 470, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/we.235

Journal articles | 2007

Cutler N; Kay MJ; Jacka K; Nielsen TS, 2007, 'Detecting Categorizing and Forecasting Large Ramps in Wind Farm Power Output Using Meteorological Observations and WPPT', Wind Energy, 10, pp. 453 - 470

Journal articles | 2002

Box MA; Box GP; Kay MJ; Kuzmanoski M; Taha G; Cohen D, 2002, 'Physical, chemical and radiative properties of aerosols in Sydney, Australia', Australian Meteorological Magazine, 51, pp. 223 - 228, http://www.bom.gov.au/amm/papers.php?year=2002

Journal articles | 2002

Kay MJ; Box MA; Trautmann T, 2002, 'An efficient method to increase vertical resolution of actinic flux calculations in clouds', Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, 107, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2001JD001581

Journal articles | 2002

Kay MJ; Box MA; Trautmann T, 2002, 'An efficient method to increase vertical resolution of actinic flux calculations in clouds', Journal of Geophysical Research, 107, pp. 4405 - 4409, http://www.agu.org/journals/jd/jd0219/2001JD001581/

Journal articles | 2001

Kay MJ; Box MA; Trautmann T; Landgraf J, 2001, 'Actinic flux and net flux calculations in radiative transfer - A comparative study of computational efficiency', Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 58, pp. 3752 - 3761, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(2001)0582.0.CO;2

Journal articles | 2000

Kay MJ; Box MA, 2000, 'Radiative effects of absorbing aerosols and the impact of water vapor', Journal of Geophysical Research, 105, pp. 12221 - 12234, http://www.agu.org/journals/jd/v105/iD10/2000JD900065/2000JD900065.pdf
Conference Presentations | 2022

Prasad A; Nishant N; Kay M, 2022, 'Reduction in solar energy due to soiling from dust in Australia', presented at 13th International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography, Christchurch, New Zealand, 08 February 2022 - 17 February 2022

Conference Presentations | 2021

Prasad A; Kay M; Bremner S, 2021, 'Synergy characteristics of Solar Photovoltaics-Wind-Battery Hybrid Systems in Australia', presented at Environmental Research Conference 2021, Virtual, 15 November 2021 - 19 November 2021

Conference Presentations | 2021

Prasad A; Kay M, 2021, 'Prediction of Solar Energy using Near-Real Time Satellite Data', presented at 28th AMOS Annual Conference, Remote, 08 February 2021 - 12 February 2021, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en14185865

Conference Presentations | 2020

Prasad A; Kay M, 2020, 'Short-term satellite irradiance forecast model', presented at 27th AMOS Annual Meeting and International Conference on Indian Ocean Meteorology and Oceanography (AMOS 2020), Fremantle, Western Australia, 10 February 2020 - 14 February 2020

Conference Posters | 2019

Prasad A; Kay M, 2019, 'Impact of sub-grid clouds on solar irradiance predictions on days of high intermittency', Copenhagen, Denmark, presented at 6th International Conference Energy & Meteorology, Copenhagen, Denmark, 24 June 2019 - 27 June 2019

Conference Presentations | 2019

Prasad A; Kay M, 2019, 'Impact of sub-grid clouds on solar irradiance predictions.', presented at AMOS Annual Meeting and International Conference on Tropical Meteorology and Oceanography, Darwin, Australia, 10 June 2019 - 14 July 2019

Conference Presentations | 2018

Prasad AA; Kay M, 2018, 'Assessment of solar irradiance predictions using WRF on days of high intermittency', presented at AMOS-ICSHMO Conference 2018, Sydney, Australia, 05 February 2018 - 09 February 2018

Conference Papers | 2018

Yang Y; Bremner S; Menictas C; Meng K; Dong ZY; Kay M, 2018, 'An economic optimization for BESS sizing in a hybrid PV and wind power plant', in 2017 IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia: Smart Grid for Smart Community, ISGT-Asia 2017, pp. 1 - 6, http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/ISGT-Asia.2017.8378353

Conference Papers | 2018

Yang Y; Menictas C; Bremner S; Kay M, 2018, 'A Comparison Study of Dispatching Various Battery Technologies in a Hybrid PV and Wind Power Plant', in IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/PESGM.2018.8585803

Conference Papers | 2017

Yang Y; Bremner S; Menictas C; Meng K; Dong ZY; Kay M, 2017, 'An Economic Optimization for BESS Sizing in a Hybrid PV and Wind Power Plant', in 2017 IEEE INNOVATIVE SMART GRID TECHNOLOGIES - ASIA (ISGT-ASIA), IEEE, NEW ZEALAND, Univ Auckland, Auckland, pp. 220 - 225, presented at 7th IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia (ISGT-Asia), NEW ZEALAND, Univ Auckland, Auckland, 04 December 2017 - 07 December 2017, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000435854300040&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

Conference Presentations | 2016

Prasad AA; Kay MJ, 2016, 'Spatio-temporal synergy between solar and wind energy resources in Australia', presented at AMOS/ARCCSS National Conference 2016, Melbourne, Australia, 08 February 2016 - 11 February 2016

Conference Presentations | 2015

Prasad A; Kay MJ, 2015, 'Synergy between Solar and Wind Energy in Australia.', presented at AMOS National Conference 2015, Brisbane, Australia, 15 July 2015 - 17 August 2015

Conference Presentations | 2015

Prasad AA; Kay MJ, 2015, 'Assessment for solar and wind synergy in Australia', presented at 21st International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2015), Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia, 29 November 2015 - 04 December 2015

Conference Papers | 2014

Law E; Kay M; Taylor R, 2014, 'Assessing the economic benefit of forecasting concentrated solar thermal energy output', in Proceedings of the 52nd Annual Conference, Australian Solar Energy Society (Australian Solar Council) Melbourne May 2014, Melbourne, VIC, presented at Solar 2014 Conference & Exhibition, Melbourne, VIC, 08 May 2014 - 09 May 2014, http://solar.org.au/papers/14papers/%2324_final.pdf

Conference Papers | 2010

Boerema N; Kay MJ; MacGill IF, 2010, 'Renewable energy integration into the Australian National Electricity Market: Characterising the energy value of wind and solar generation', in Solar 2010, Australian Solar Energy Society, Canberra, Australia, presented at Solar 2010, Canberra, Australia, 01 December 2010 - 03 December 2010

Conference Papers | 2010

Corkish RP; Bremner S; Bruce A; Duo H; Hawkes E; Kay MJ; Lennon AJ; Sproul AB; Spooner ED; Shrestha SK; Stapleton G; Uddin A; Watt ME; Wentworth D, 2010, 'Renewable Energy Education at UNSW', AuSES (Australian Solar Energy Society), Canberra, presented at Solar 2010: 48th ANZSES Annual Conference, Canberra, 01 December 2010 - 03 December 2010, http://www.auses.org.au/conference/

Conference Papers | 2010

Kay MJ; MacGill IF, 2010, 'Improving weather forecasts for wind energy applications', in IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Sciences, IOP Publishing Ltd, Bristol UK, presented at 17th National Conference of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 27 January 2010 - 29 January 2010, http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/11/1/012009

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