We have well-equipped facilities which provide our researchers access to a wide array of equipment to carry out physical and chemical analysis of materials. Our surrogate microgrid system provides unique capabilities to simulate microgrids including the capability to test new renewable energy technologies such as hydrogen electrolysers, fuel cells, and battery systems.
Equipment for metal 3D printing, thin-film deposition are some of the process equipment that is available through Advanced Manufacturing.
Our state-of-the-art equipment includes:
| Item | Function |
| FTIR — Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy | Analysis of solids, liquids, and gases using Infrared Spectroscopy |
| STA — Simultaneous thermal analyzer | Thermogravimentric analysis: measurement of mass changes and thermal effects between -150°C and 1600°C. |
| Elemental analyser | Elemental composition of samples: carbon, hydro- gen, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen (CHNS/O) |
| DCAT — Dynamic Contact Angle measuring devices and Tensiometer | Universal measuring devices for the force-based measurement of interfacial parameters and phenomena. |
| Turbidity meter | Measurement of attenuation of light by insoluble particulate matter suspended in transparent liquid. |
| PAT — Profile Analysis Tensiometer | Analysis of the shape of pendent and sessile drops or buoyant and captive bubbles. |
| ISE pH meter | pH measurement |
| Thermal evaporator | This Plasmionique Model EVD32B-TT is a high-temperature thermal evaporation system for thin film deposition. |
| Spin coater | The equipment is used to deposit thin film on the substrates. |
| Solar simulator | This equipment can simulate the solar radiation for testing the performance of the solar cells |
| Hot plate | Annealing the solar cells |
| Annealing and cleaning beaker | holding and cleaning the substrate of solar cells |
| ITO substrate for fabricating solar cells | fabricating solar cells |
| P3HT: PCBM Material | This material is used as the active layer of organic solar cells. |
| Encapsulation coverslip for photovoltaics and OLEDs | This slip is used for encapsulating the solar cells |
| Oxygen bomb calorimeter | Measures calorific content of liquids and solids |
| Tube furnace | Heating from 200–1200°C in controlled atmospheric environments |
| Fibre analysers | Determine NDF, ADF and ADL of biomass |
The Grid Testing Facility uses the Microgrid Plus control hardware to interface with a wide variety of power system simulators. The simulators can be scaled and configured to best match the microgrid under test. Below is a list of simulators currently available
Generator Simulator — 4x7.5kVA and 2x15kVA (6 units configurable)
- Woodward Controller
- ComAp Controller
Feeder Simulator — 36kVA (8 bays configurable)
- SEL protection feeder
- Grid synchronising feeder
- Generic Feeder
- Local Light and Power Feeder
Wind / Solar Farm Simulation — 29kVA
Solar Unit Simulation — 29kVA
- ABB Trio
Battery energy storage and Virtual Generator Simulator — 29kVA
- ABB PCS100
Grid Support Simulator — 29kVA
- Omni Inverter
- ABB PCS100
Active real and reactive load simulator — 29kVA
- Omni Inverter
Passive real and reactive load simulator — 28.8kW and 10.2kVAr total
SCADA system and remote access simulation.