University Spotlight - Charles Darwin University

Charles Darwin University

Source: Sally Wood

Charles Darwin University is a multisector university providing a globally recognised education to 21,000 students. With eight campuses and centres in a diverse range of locations – from Alice Springs to Sydney – this Northern Territory based university offers a unique experience for researchers and students.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is ranked one of the top 100 universities in the Asia Pacific region. Recognised worldwide for its outstanding commitment to research, CDU is also a global leader in their work towards the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals for Quality Education. The ranking has been welcomed by the educators of CDU, who work hard to ensure a wellrounded and excellent education for their students.

“The result reflects CDU’s commitment to teaching, learning and research which is critical to positively impacting our region, our nation and the world,” Charles Darwin University ViceChancellor Professor Scott Bowman AO said.

As a cross-sectoral institution, CDU assists students from around Australia and the world to become ‘futureready’ workers. Students develop the knowledge, skills and resilience to meet the challenges of an everchanging world and become lifelong learners who are equipped to find success in any sector. The culture of CDU is deeply committed to sustainability, social justice, and collectively held values. The University deeply respects the history and culture of Indigenous Australians, central to the Northern Territory locations of the campuses. CDU’s vision is to bring people together to collectively strive for excellence, integrity, accountability and equality of opportunity for all.

Materials and Engineering

Named after one of the great observers and researchers of history, Charles Darwin University encourages curiosity, creativity, and the constant pursuit of knowledge. CDU is a leader in research and innovation, making significant advances in materials, manufacturing and engineering. Through collaboration with industry, CDU students are given the opportunity to gain real world experience and work with leaders within the sector.

The College of Engineering, IT and Environment provides students and researchers with state-of-theart technology and an inspiring learning environment. The College delivers creative and flexible teaching programs and research excellence in the areas of environment and livelihoods, energy and renewables, materials and resources.

“The staff of the College are renowned, both for the new knowledge they have created and for their ability to pass on this knowledge,” said Professor David Young, Dean of the College of Engineering, IT and Environment. “Our courses are accredited by their professions and you will be expertly trained as an engineer, IT professional or environmental scientist with qualifications recognised world-wide. Our graduates have attained success in their careers, and we look forward to seeing you also contribute to the world of the future.”

Part of the College, the Energy and Resources Institute (ERI) provides high-quality research and consultancy for all aspects of energy and resources, including engineering, scientific, economic, environmental, social, community, legal, policy and digital considerations. With a scope ranging from renewables to corrosion engineering, the Institute considers: • Fossil-based and renewable energy • Mineral resources • Digitisation of energy and resources • Energy materials • Process safety, including fire and explosion safety • Environment protection and social mandate to operate. CDU partners with the Northern Territory Government to promote the renewable-energy sector and provide leadership on the deployment of renewable energy and low emissions and energy-efficient technologies. The Centre for Renewable Energy brings together researchers to work in multidisciplinary teams, developing technologies for the efficient

conversion of waste-to-energy, effective maintenance of solar PV systems and efficient hybrid renewable energy systems.

Advanced Manufacturing Alliance

CDU has partnered with SPEE3D to form the Advanced Manufacturing Alliance, a joint initiative that utilises a world-first 3D metal printing technology. The Alliance aims to engage with industry partners, trades and academics.

SPEE3D printers are the world’s first metal 3D printing production cell, enabling the most affordable metal additive manufacturing process in the world. They make metal parts the fastest way possible, leveraging metal cold spray technology to produce industrial quality metal parts in just minutes, rather than days or weeks. The process harnesses the power of kinetic energy, rather than relying on high-power lasers and expensive gasses. It allows the flexibility of metal 3D printing at normal production costs. There is a myriad of possibilities for the Advanced Manufacturing Alliance. The Alliance has scope for: • Digital inventory • Mouldless foundry • Just-in-time spares • Short manufacturing runs • Legacy replacement parts • Metal forming makerspace • New material properties • New alloys and composites

Project Spotlight: Renewable Energy

Charles Darwin University has long been a leader in the renewable energy space. In December 2020, CDU took over a facility that will enable industry and government to continue to ensure the reliable flow of energy throughout the vast expanse of the Northern Territory, and to further integrate renewable and conventional energy. CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks said the institute was formed through a merger of the North Australian Centre for Oil and Gas (NACOG) and the Centre of Renewable Energy (CRE), and the microgrid facility would provide the critical infrastructure to support research and training into the future. “The research at the ERI using the facility will be highly relevant not only to the NT, particularly remote areas where there are multiple energy inputs, but also for other parts of Australia and the world,” Professor Maddocks said. Professor Maddocks added that Hitachi ABB Power Grids had generously donated the facility located at the Smart Energy Hub, in the East Arm industrial precinct. “The capabilities of this testing facility are unique and will assist CDU to address the challenges that come with incorporating multiple forms of renewable generation needed to support a carbon neutral energy future. Grids that are flexible, stronger, smarter and greener will create social, environmental and economic value for future generations,” said Bernard Norton, Managing Director – Australia at Hitachi ABB Power Grids.

ERI Director, Professor Suresh Thennadil, said there were various configurations of renewable and conventional energy that had to be achieved to maintain reliable energy flow. “The major challenge in achieving a high proportion of renewable energy (especially solar PV) in power grids is the instability and unreliability of the grid due to the intermittent and hard-to-predict nature of the renewable sources,” Professor Thennadil said. “In order to achieve the 50 per cent Northern Territory Government target and further to net zero emissions, it is essential to develop innovative methods that can deliver safe and stable operation of high-penetration renewable energy grids. Using this facility, we can conduct scenario testing of an energy system from anywhere in the world.” CDU is also exploring opportunities to use the testing facility as a training tool for engineers and operators of Remote Area Power Systems.