Energy networks alliance

The University of Sydney and China’s Tsinghua University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to undertake joint research programs in energy networks.

The alliance will promote the research and development of electricity energy networks and related areas across Australia and China. “The University of Sydney will invite major Australian electricity network service providers, energy and resources companies, universities and research organisations to participate in the alliance,” said Professor Archie Johnston, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.

Tsinghua University will invite The University of Hong Kong, State Grid Corp, South China Grid, key industrial leaders in energy and other research partners to participate. The collaborative research areas in the Tsinghua University-The University of Sydney Energy Networks Joint Research Alliance will include power and energy engineering systems as well as economic and regulatory environments for future energy networks guided by the two honorary directors Professor David Hill and Professor HAN Yingduo from each side.

Professor Joe Dong, power engineering specialist and head of the University’s School of Electrical and Information Engineering, has been appointed Academic Director for the TU-USyd Energy Networks Joint Research Alliance in Australia. The alliance will implement cooperative programs and projects that will bring benefit to both Australia’s and China’s power consumers, said Professor Dong.

The agreement closely follows another partnership announcement between the University of Sydney and China’s Shanghai Jiatong University. The $2 million agreement is expected to deliver significant outcomes to both countries. “Partnerships with two of China’s leading universities will significantly building on our institutions’ existing strengths in energy and biomedical engineering and medicine - in particular, bioinformatics,” said Professor Johnston.