Our Year 10 STEM students have been given the unique opportunity to be involved with Murdoch University and their development of the Microgrids Communication Project. Late in Term 3 students attended an excursion to the Murdoch campus to understand the function and purpose of electrical microgrid systems in real-world situations run by leading researchers in the future of energy distribution.
Microgrids can function alone or as a network of interconnected modules to distribute electricity on its own terms, away from the main electrical grid, allowing smaller, independent communities to maintain a steady flow of electricity. This is being rolled out across numerous West Australian country towns as the mix of renewables dramatically changes the face of energy distribution.
Students were tasked with researching, designing and 3D printing three-dimensional buildings to be used in conjunction with a signature Murdoch micro controller that would be used to model the energy requirements of an example building of a community in a microgrid. The next stage is the development of software to further the modelling of the microgrid. The students involved in the STEM collaborative assignment are proud of their contribution to furthering the understanding of microgrids, their potential in a renewable energy future and how research between schools and universities can bring cutting edge, real world knowledge to the class room.
Written by Emir Djemal and Leo Jackson, edited by Mr Smith.