Transgrid is hosting a six-month placement for University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Associate Professor Li Li within its Network Transition Planning and System Resilience teams, as the transmission operator plans for changes associated with Australia’s shifting energy mix and demand profile.
The placement is being run through the UTS Professional Experience Program, which aims to place academics in industry settings. According to the release, Li’s research covers power systems, microgrids, distributed energy resources and smart grid technologies, with a focus on operating inverter-based, renewable-rich grids reliably.
Transgrid said the placement is intended to strengthen links between academia and industry as coal generation retires and the power system adapts to growing distributed energy resources, electrified transport and new large loads such as data centres. Executive General Manager of Network Jason Krstanoski said the operator expected the placement to contribute to work on renewable integration, system strength, and planning for increasing demand.
Li said the placement would provide “a valuable opportunity to understand how the problems we study are experienced in practice and how research can contribute to real-world outcomes.” The release said Li expects to gain experience in how planning, operational, regulatory and strategic considerations influence decisions, and to bring those insights back into teaching and curriculum.
Transgrid Acting Manager, Network Transition Planning, Hassan Haes Alhelou said embedding an academic in an industry team can help challenge assumptions and consider emerging concepts and potential future solutions. Alhelou said the placement highlighted the gap that can exist between academic research and implementation.
