TACKLING CONTROL CHALLENGES IN RENEWABLE ENERGY ZONES

Jaleel Mesbah

PhD Candidate, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University (Zema Scholar)

Supervisors: Dr Weihua Zhou, Dr Terrence Mak

Jaleel Mesbah, the third recipient of the 2024 Zema Energy Studies Scholarship, is a PhD student whose research tackles the technical challenges of integrating large-scale renewable energy into the electricity grid. His work focuses on control interactions within Australia’s emerging Renewable Energy Zones (REZs), where high concentrations of renewable generation increase the risk of system instability.

Supervised by Associate Professor Behrooz Bahrani and co-supervised by Dr Terrence Mak, Jaleel is developing methodologies to identify and mitigate small signal control interactions – a crucial step for ensuring the stable and efficient operation of renewable energy sources. “This research is vital as we transition to more renewable energy,” he says. “By addressing these technical challenges, we can help ensure that renewable energy zones function reliably and efficiently.”

Jaleel brings over a decade of experience in the energy sector to his research. During his professional career, he encountered significant challenges in assessing whether proposed renewable projects might disrupt existing grid operations. The fast pace of renewable integration has exposed the limitations of current tools and methods, often causing delays in project approvals and hindering the broader energy transition.

Through his day-to-day industry work, Jaleel saw the opportunity to return to study and address these challenges in a more focused way. His PhD gives him the space to explore complex problems and contribute practical solutions that support a faster, more reliable transition to clean energy. He is driven by a longstanding passion for engineering and a commitment to using technical knowledge to make a positive impact on society.