We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising. To find out more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy

Skip to Content
University of Wollongong Australia. Logo. University of Wollongong Australia. Logo. University of Wollongong Australia. Logo.
  • Search
  • Give
  • Library
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • UOW Global
    • Our global presence
    • UOW in Dubai
    • UOW in Hong Kong
    • UOW in Malaysia
  • Menu
  • Study at UOW

    • Courses
    • Apply
    • Scholarships & grants
    • Accommodation
    • High-school students
    • Non-school leavers
    • Postgraduate students
    • International students
    • Moving to Wollongong
    • Study abroad & exchange
    • Global sport programs
    • Campuses
    Study at UOW
  • Engage

    • Future student
    • Alumni
    • Visit UOW
    • Woolyungah Indigenous Centre
    • Volunteer
    • The Stand Magazine
    • Community Members
    • Grants and funding
    • Give to UOW
    • Visit the Library
    • Key contacts
    • Educators & school teachers
    Engage with us
  • About UOW

    • Welcome
    • Our people
    • Services
    • Contacts
    • What's on
    • Global presence
    • Media Centre
    • Faculties & schools
    • Our vision & strategy
    • Our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Strategy
    • Our reputation & experience
    • Locations, campuses & partners
    See more about UOW
  • Research

    • Our research
    • Researcher support
    • Research impact
    • Partnership & collaboration
    • Graduate Research School
    • Commercial research
    • Global Challenges
    • Media, news & events
    • Find an expert
    • Our people
    See more about research
  • Industry

    • Generator Lab
    • Advantage SME
    • Success stories
    • Industry research engagement
    • Equipment & Labs
    • Funding opportunities
    • Intellectual property
    • Collaboration for business
    • Collaboration for researchers
    • Careers and employability
    See more about Industry
  • Alumni

    • Benefits
    • Outlook Magazine
    • Events & webinars
    • Volunteer
    • Awards
    • Honorary alumni
    • Testamurs & transcripts
    • Update your details
    • Your career journey
    • Contact us & FAQ
    See more about alumni
  • Quick links

    • Contact directory
    • Staff Intranet
    • Campus maps
    • Transport & parking
    • Key dates
    • Events
    • Password management
    • Jobs
    • Accommodation
    • Policy directory
  • Library
You are here More Pages
  • Home
  • About UOW
  • Media Centre
  • 2023
  • Australia Power Quality Research Centre equips Shoalhaven Water with energy storage solution

Media Quick Links

  • Contact UOW Media
  • Visiting campus
  • Image library
  • UOW key facts
  • Find an expert
  • News Corp subscription
  • Sign up for the latest news from UOW Media

May 9, 2023


  • Story By
  • Jane Davis
Share
Type
Media Release
Category
Environment and Energy
Tags
Clean energySDG 11: Sustainable cities and CommunitiesSDG 7: Affordable and Clean EnergySDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

UOW in the News

Australia Power Quality Research Centre equips Shoalhaven Water with energy storage solution

New battery system to provide backup emergency power to water supplier


Australian Power Quality Research Centre (APQRC) at the University of Wollongong (UOW) has teamed up with Shoalhaven Water to deliver battery backup systems that will improve electricity resilience for sewer pumping stations.

The new system, which has been developed over the last two years, was deployed last month and is now operational in Shoalhaven Heads.

Previously, Shoalhaven Water was reliant on a staff member to be on-call around the clock to connect a diesel generator at any site that experienced an electricity outage. With only one generator and many potential sites there was significant risk of a system failure.

The connection of lithium-ion batteries at up to ten sites will increase energy resilience substantially by providing local battery storage of up to four hours which covers approximately 95 per cent of typical electricity outages without a technician needing to visit the site.

APQRC Research Coordinator Sean Elphick (pictured above) said the recent flooding and extreme weather in NSW has highlighted the importance of resilient infrastructure.

“Failure of sewage pumping stations can lead to discharge of untreated sewage to the environment, with serious impacts for local communities. This project will be a showcase for how the innovative use of battery technology can improve the resilience of critical distributed infrastructure,” Mr Elphick said.

The project is part of the ARC Research Hub for Safe and Reliable Energy and ensures energy resilience for Shoalhaven Water while building the APQRCs industrial capabilities.

“The project between Shoalhaven Water and the APQRC showcases industry-academic collaboration between UOW and industry partners, creating a test case for future battery technology and providing real-world industry application experience for researchers and students.”

The solution incorporates 5 kW/15 kWh of lithium-ion batteries coupled to a three-phase battery inverter system and variable-speed drive. This is a novel application of proven technologies to solve a practical industry problem. In the longer term, the project will enable assessment of battery performance in the field under climatic conditions which at times can be extreme. The project also provides scope for assessment of different battery technologies, improvements in energy storage safety, as well as the potential for creation of a virtual power plant composed of distributed energy storage resources.

Shoalhaven Water Executive Manager Rob Horner said technology would have a positive impact on the Shoalhaven community for years to come.

“We’re thrilled to team up with UOW to make improvements that benefit the Shoalhaven community and our environment,” Mr Horner said.

“Shoalhaven Water has an excellent record in the delivery of water and wastewater services to our region so it’s important we constantly look to innovate our operations through these kinds of trials.

 “This technology has the potential to radically improve our operation and safeguard our environment from sewerage discharge.

“Working on a shared vision with APQRC has proven to be incredibly rewarding and we’re confident we’ll see great results once deployed in our facility.”

Shoalhaven Water's Bamarang Water Treatment Plant.

Shoalhaven Water's Bamarang Water Treatment Plant.

Media Assets for this article

  • Images

Media Contacts for this article

UOW Media Office

You may also be interested in

Pedalling forward – UOW and partners ride towards sustainability
Photos from the field: spying on Antarctic moss using drones, MossCam, smart sensors and AI
Gerhard Swiegers awarded ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship for green hydrogen research
Services & Help
  • Current students
  • Library
  • Information technology
  • Accommodation
  • Security & safety
  • Pool, gym & retail
News, Media & Events
  • Media Centre
  • The Stand
  • Alumni Magazine
  • Research news
  • Events
  • Find an expert
Faculties
  • Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities
  • Business & Law
  • Engineering & Information Sciences
  • Science, Medicine & Health
Administration
  • Graduation
  • Environment
  • Policy directory
  • Learning and teaching
  • Financial Services
  • Access to information
  • Jobs
UOW Entities
  • Innovation Campus
  • UOW College Australia
  • UOW College Hong Kong
  • UOW in Dubai
  • UOW Global Enterprises
  • UOW Malaysia KDU
  • UOW Pulse
Connect with us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Conversation
  • Contact us
  • Feedback
  • Give to UOW

Northfields Ave Wollongong,  NSW 2522  Australia 
Phone: 1300 367 869 
International: +61 2 4221 3218 
Switchboard: +61 2 4221 3555

  • NUW Alliance: Smarter Solutions for NSW
  • University Global Partnership Network (UGPN)
  • Reconciliation Australia
  • AWEI LGBTQ inclusion awards logo

Aboriginal flag Torres Strait Islander flag

On the lands that we study, we walk, and we live, we acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians and cultural knowledge holders of these lands.

Copyright © 2023 University of Wollongong
CRICOS Provider No: 00102E | TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12062 | ABN: 61 060 567 686
Copyright & disclaimer | Privacy & cookie usage | Web Accessibility Statement

Close