The Alternative Energy Group carries out research on biofuels, wind and solar energy, desalination techniques, and on environment protection and wastewater treatment.

Our academic and research staff have experience in areas of Fluid Dynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer, Analytical Chemistry, Power System Communications, and Environmental and Water Engineering.

Areas of research

The Alternative Energy Group focuses research on developing techniques in:

  • Solar and Wind Energy
  • Biofuels from Algae
  • Energy Storage
  • Renewable Energy Systems
  • Sustainable Buildings
  • Distributed Generation
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Microgrids
  • Membrane Distillation
  • Thermal Desalination
  • Wastewater Treatment
  • Industry Wastewater Processing and Recovery
  • Environmental Protection

Research projects

Currently, our Group is involved in many projects related to alternative energy, desalination, wastewater treatment and environment protection. These include:

Blue green algae for biofuels

  • Water Conservation by Replacing Cooling Towers
  • Algae for Biofuels and Wastewater Treatment
  • Membrane Distillation
  • Humidification and de-humidification desalination
  • Heat and mass transfer in compact heat exchangers
  • Small Wind Turbines for Residents and Schools
  • Detection of Blue-Green Algae
  • Modelling and Development of Microbial Electrolysis and Fuels Cells
  • Hardware Analysis of Fuel Cell/ Photovoltaic Systems
  • Analysis of Wind Power Potential in Melbourne's West
  • Photovoltaic Power Analysis for Brimbank Victoria, Australia
  • Development of a Microgrid Energy Management System with Distributed Generation
  • Digital Habitat Ecosystem Architecture (DHEA) for the Optimised Utilization of Resources in Built Environments
  • The Modelling of Energy Efficient Virtual Power Station

Our researchers

Name Phone and email
Professor Jun-De Li
Leader
+61 3 9919 4105
jun-de.li@vu.edu.au
Dr Cagil Ozansoy
Deputy Leader
+61 3 9919 5046
cagil.ozansoy@vu.edu.au
Dr Shobha Muthukumaran +61 3 9919 4859
shobha.muthukumaran@vu.edu.au

Research publications

Members of the Alternative Energy Research Group continue to publish their work in a broad range of scholarly journals and in proceedings of international learned conferences. Our recent publications are available.

Contact us

Professor Jun-De Li
Group Leader, Alternative Energy Research Area
Phone: +61 3 9919 4105
Email: jun-de.li@vu.edu.au

Dr Cagil Ozansoy
Deputy Leader
Phone: +61 3 9919 5046
Email: cagil.ozansy@vu.edu.au