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Dr Colin Coates

Senior Lecturer

School of Electrical Engineering and Computing (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Career Summary

Biography

Research Expertise
My major areas of research interest include: * Electric Drives * Low Voltage Distributed Generation * Small Scale Wind Turbines

Teaching Expertise
My teaching experience includes undergraduate coursework both on campus and offshore (Singapore), honours project and postgraduate research supervision. Specific course taught include: * 2nd Year: Introductory Electronics * 3rd Year: Electronics * 4th Year: Electronics Design, Advanced Drives and Power Electronics, Final Year Project Coordination I have previously been the B.E. (Electrical) Program Convenor (2004-2009) overseeing several significant changes to the program.

Administrative Expertise
I am currently the Head of Discipline - Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering (since 2010)

Qualifications

  • PhD, University of Wollongong
  • Bachelor of Mathematics/Bachelor of Engineering, University of Wollongong

Keywords

  • Electric Drives
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Power Electronics

Fields of Research

Code Description Percentage
090603 Industrial Electronics 40
090607 Power and Energy Systems Engineering (excl. Renewable Power) 30
090608 Renewable Power and Energy Systems Engineering (excl. Solar Cells) 30

Professional Experience

UON Appointment

Title Organisation / Department
Senior Lecturer University of Newcastle
School of Electrical Engineering and Computing
Australia

Professional appointment

Dates Title Organisation / Department
1/01/1997 - 1/01/1999 Design Engineer Zener Electrical (Newcastle) Pty Ltd
1/01/1992 - 1/06/1994 Electrical Development Engineer BHP Sheet and Coil Products Division, Port Kembla
Australia
1/01/1987 - 1/12/1991 Cadet Electrical Engineer BHP Sheet and Coil Products Division, Port Kembla
Australia
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Publications

For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.

Journal article (5 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2017 Wang D, Meng K, Gao X, Coates C, Dong Z, 'Optimal air-conditioning load control in distribution network with intermittent renewables', JOURNAL OF MODERN POWER SYSTEMS AND CLEAN ENERGY, 5 55-65 (2017) [C1]
DOI 10.1007/s40565-016-0254-z
Citations Scopus - 6Web of Science - 5
Co-authors Joe Dong
2016 Wang D, Meng K, Luo F, Coates C, Gao X, Dong ZY, 'Coordinated dispatch of networked energy storage systems for loading management in active distribution networks', IET RENEWABLE POWER GENERATION, 10 1374-1381 (2016) [C1]
DOI 10.1049/iet-rpg.2016.0269
Citations Scopus - 7Web of Science - 8
Co-authors Joe Dong
2010 Goodwin GC, Mayne DQ, Chen K-Y, Coates C, Mirzaeva G, Quevedo DE, 'An introduction to the control of switching electronic systems', Annual Reviews in Control, 34 209-220 (2010) [C1]
DOI 10.1016/j.arcontrol.2010.08.002
Citations Scopus - 10Web of Science - 3
Co-authors Galina Mirzaeva, Graham Goodwin
2009 Mirzaeva G, Coates C, 'A High-Performance Drive for the Rotary Coal Breaker Application', IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, 45 1232-1240 (2009) [C1]
DOI 10.1109/TIA.2009.2023491
Co-authors Galina Mirzaeva
2004 Coates C, Pulle DW, Veltman A, 'Modelling of single phase induction machines', Australian Journal of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, 1 151-155 (2004) [C1]
Show 2 more journal articles

Conference (23 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2018 Sun KW, Summers TJ, Coates CE, 'Oscillating Power Minimization in Cascaded H-bridge Converter with Phase-Shifted Carrier PWM', 2018 20TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON POWER ELECTRONICS AND APPLICATIONS (EPE'18 ECCE EUROPE), Riga, LATVIA (2018)
2018 Sun KW, Summers TJ, Coates CE, 'Evaluation of peak-to-peak current ripple of phase shifted carrier PWM multilevel cascaded H-bridge converters', Proceedings - 2017 IEEE Southern Power Electronics Conference, SPEC 2017 (2018)

© 2017 IEEE. The Phase Shifted Carrier Pulse Width Modulation (PSC-PWM) technique is a commonly used modulation strategy for multilevel converters. The PSC-PWM technique offers gr... [more]

© 2017 IEEE. The Phase Shifted Carrier Pulse Width Modulation (PSC-PWM) technique is a commonly used modulation strategy for multilevel converters. The PSC-PWM technique offers great performance advantages such as equal switch utilization, equal DC link utilization and harmonic benefits. With any PWM converters or modulation strategies, current ripple is inevitably generated and should be minimized. In particular, the peak-to-peak current ripple plays an adverse role in power converters, if ignored the current ripple would deteriorate the performance of the converter and damage the switching devices if the ripple exceeds the operating current limit of the device. This paper offers a novel approach for evaluating the peak-to-peak current ripple of a PSC-PWM Multilevel Cascaded H-Bridge (MLCHB). It is shown that the proposed method can determine the peak-to-peak current ripple of the standard PSC-PWM as well as with common-mode injected modulation. A comparison is made between two MLCHB converters with different number of H-bridge cells and modulation indexes. Lastly simulation results of the proposed method are provided.

DOI 10.1109/SPEC.2017.8333588
2017 Sun KW, Summers TJ, Coates CE, Starkey CJ, 'Implementation of a Multilevel Cascaded H-Bridge Drive for an Ironless Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Motor for Electric Vehicle Applications', 2017 19TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON POWER ELECTRONICS AND APPLICATIONS (EPE'17 ECCE EUROPE), Warsaw, POLAND (2017) [E1]
Citations Scopus - 1
2017 Jiang J, Coates C, 'Voltage Collapse Issue in a Photovoltaic Source Operating in an Islanded Microgrid', 2017 AUSTRALASIAN UNIVERSITIES POWER ENGINEERING CONFERENCE (AUPEC), Melbourne, AUSTRALIA (2017) [E1]
2016 Sun KW, Summers TJ, Coates CE, 'Ironless axial flux permanent magnet motor control with multilevel cascaded H-bridge converter for electric vehicle applications', 2016 IEEE 2nd Annual Southern Power Electronics Conference, SPEC 2016, Auckland, NZ (2016) [E1]
DOI 10.1109/SPEC.2016.7846107
Citations Scopus - 3
2012 Batt NJ, Coates C, 'Maximising output power of self-excited induction generators for small wind turbines', Proceedings: 2012 XXth International Conference on Electrical Machines, Marseille (2012) [E1]
Citations Scopus - 5Web of Science - 2
2011 Kosman J, Viswanath A, Coates C, 'Lagrange relaxation based unit commitment for thermal, solar and wind power generation', PESA 2011: IASTED International Conference on Power and Energy Systems and Applications, Pittsburgh (2011) [E1]
DOI 10.2316/P.2011.756-026
Co-authors Aparna Viswanath
2011 Batt NJ, Coates CE, 'Optimal matching of a self-excited induction generator to a small wind turbine', 30th ISES Biennial Solar World Congress 2011, SWC 2011, Kassel, Germany (2011) [E1]
2010 Goodwin GC, Mayne DQ, Chen T, Coates C, Mirzaeva G, Quevedo DE, 'Opportunities and challenges in the application of advanced control to power electronics and drives', Proceedings. ICIT 2010: IEEE-ICIT 2010 International Conference on Industrial Technology, Vina Del Mar, Chile (2010) [E1]
Citations Scopus - 12
Co-authors Graham Goodwin, Galina Mirzaeva
2009 Choon CC, Coates C, Viswanath A, 'Renewable energy source emulator', Sustainability in Energy and Buildings: Proceedings of the International Conference in Sustainability in Energy and Buildings (SEB'09), Brighton, UK (2009) [E1]
DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-03454-1
Co-authors Aparna Viswanath
2007 Griffiths M, Coates C, 'Behaviour of microgrids in the presence of unbalanced loads', 2007 AUSTRALASIAN UNIVERSITIES POWER ENGINEERING, VOLS 1-2, Curtin Univ Technol, Perth, AUSTRALIA (2007)
2007 Coates C, Macready AR, 'Comparison of simulation models for self-excited induction generators', 2007 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference. AUPEC '07. Proceedings, Perth, WA (2007) [E1]
2007 Macready AR, Coates C, 'Low cost wind turbine controller', 2007 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference. AUPEC '07. Proceedings, Perth, WA (2007) [E1]
Citations Scopus - 5
2007 Griffiths MN, Coates C, 'Behaviour of microgrids in the presence of unbalanced loads', 2007 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference. AUPEC '07. Proceedings, Perth, WA (2007) [E1]
Citations Scopus - 2
2007 Mirzaeva G, Coates C, 'A high performance drive for the rotary coal breaker application', Proceedings of the IEEE Industry Applications Conference, 2007: 42nd IAS Annual Meeting, New Orleans (2007) [E1]
Co-authors Galina Mirzaeva
2006 Griffiths MN, Coates C, 'Modelling and Performance of Low Voltage Distributed Generation Systems', Proceedings of the 2006 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC'06), Melbourne VIC, Australia (2006) [E1]
2005 Mirzaeva G, Middleton RH, Coates C, McKerihan J, 'Electrical Drive Technology Advances for Mining Applications', 2005 Australian Mining Technology Conference : 'new technologies to produce more with less' : 27 - 28 September 2005 Fremantle, WA, Fremantle, Western Australia (2005) [E1]
Co-authors Richard Middleton, Galina Mirzaeva
2004 Coates C, 'Electrical drive issues in rope shovels and longwall mining machines', CD ROM, Noosa (2004) [E1]
2003 Coates C, Pulle DW, Veltman A, 'Modelling of Single Phase Induction Machines', Proceedings for AUPEC 2003, Christchurch, NZ (2003) [E1]
2001 Coates C, Platt GM, Gosbell VJ, 'Performance Evaluation of a Nine-Phase Synchronous Reluctance Drive', 2001 IEEE Industry Applications Conference 36th IAS Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, USA (2001) [E2]
DOI 10.1109/IAS.2001.955908
2001 Coates C, Platt GM, Gosbell VJ, 'Performance of Nine-Phase Synchronous Reluctance Drive', The 4th IEEE International Conference on Power Electronics and Drive Systems, Bali, Indonesia (2001) [E2]
Citations Scopus - 24Web of Science - 7
2000 Coates C, Platt D, Gosbell VJ, 'Control and Performance of a Nine Phase Synchronous Reluctance Drive', AUPEC 2000 Innovation for Secure Power, Brisbane, Australia (2000) [E1]
1997 Coates CE, Platt D, Perera BSP, 'Design optimization of an axially laminated synchronous reluctance motor', Conference Record - IAS Annual Meeting (IEEE Industry Applications Society) (1997)

The rotor saliency of the axially laminated synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) produces a square airgap flux density distribution. If a square current distribution interacts wit... [more]

The rotor saliency of the axially laminated synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) produces a square airgap flux density distribution. If a square current distribution interacts with this flux the SynRM generates its optimal torque. This paper extends previous work on the magnetic modelling of the SynRM. A design model is proposed which incorporates all rotor and stator dimensions. Saturation effects have also been included in the model. The key dimensions affecting SynRM performance are identified as rotor radius, rotor pole pitch, rotor steel : steel+fibre ratio, airgap, stator current density and stator slot opening. An iterative algorithm is determined for the design optimization process. This algorithm is simple enough to be implemented in a spreadsheet environment. The model is used to design a 5 kW motor with an optimal torque/unit mass ratio. The designed motor has a nine phase concentrated winding to approximate the ideal square current excitation. Finite element analysis and a static load test on the constructed machine confirm the model's predictions. In addition, optimal values for the key motor dimensions, over a range of motor sizes, are determined and discussed.

Citations Scopus - 7
Show 20 more conferences
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Grants and Funding

Summary

Number of grants 11
Total funding $542,666

Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.

20161 grants / $54,500

Power Management and Control of a Microgrid for a Water Treatment Plant$54,500

Funding body: Infratech Industries Pty Ltd

Funding body Infratech Industries Pty Ltd
Project Team Associate Professor Galina Mirzaeva, Doctor Colin Coates, Felicia Whiting, Mr Dmitry Semenov
Scheme Scholarship
Role Investigator
Funding Start 2016
Funding Finish 2016
GNo G1600715
Type Of Funding C3111 - Aust For profit
Category 3111
UON Y

20111 grants / $136,798

Improved Design and Operational Efficiency of Small Wind Turbines in Unsteady Flows$136,798

Funding body: ARC (Australian Research Council)

Funding body ARC (Australian Research Council)
Project Team Associate Professor Phil Clausen, Associate Professor Tristan Perez, Doctor Colin Coates, Professor David Wood
Scheme Discovery Projects
Role Investigator
Funding Start 2011
Funding Finish 2013
GNo G1000155
Type Of Funding Aust Competitive - Commonwealth
Category 1CS
UON Y

20071 grants / $158,000

DC Motor Duty Meter$158,000

Funding body: Australian Coal Research Limited

Funding body Australian Coal Research Limited
Project Team Associate Professor Galina Mirzaeva, Professor Robert Betz, Doctor Terrence Summers, Doctor Colin Coates
Scheme Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP)
Role Investigator
Funding Start 2007
Funding Finish 2008
GNo G0187375
Type Of Funding Aust Competitive - Non Commonwealth
Category 1NS
UON Y

20051 grants / $37,500

Network Modeling of a Low voltage Distributed Generation system$37,500

Funding body: CSIRO - Energy Technology

Funding body CSIRO - Energy Technology
Project Team Doctor Colin Coates
Scheme Postgraduate Research Scholarship
Role Lead
Funding Start 2005
Funding Finish 2007
GNo G0185514
Type Of Funding Other Public Sector - Commonwealth
Category 2OPC
UON Y

20022 grants / $22,113

Control of emitted noise from switched reluctance drives using shunted piezoelectric transducers$12,504

Funding body: University of Newcastle

Funding body University of Newcastle
Project Team Professor Reza Moheimani, Doctor Colin Coates, Professor Robert Betz
Scheme Project Grant
Role Investigator
Funding Start 2002
Funding Finish 2002
GNo G0181289
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON Y

High Performance Control of a Nine-Phase Synchronous Reluctance Drive$9,609

Funding body: University of Newcastle

Funding body University of Newcastle
Project Team Doctor Colin Coates
Scheme Project Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2002
Funding Finish 2002
GNo G0181437
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON Y

20012 grants / $13,122

High Performance Control of a Nine-Phase Synchronous Reluctance Drive$11,000

Funding body: University of Newcastle

Funding body University of Newcastle
Project Team Doctor Colin Coates
Scheme Project Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2001
Funding Finish 2001
GNo G0179982
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON Y

IEEE Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting, USA 30 Sept - 4 Oct 2001$2,122

Funding body: University of Newcastle

Funding body University of Newcastle
Project Team Doctor Colin Coates
Scheme Travel Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2001
Funding Finish 2001
GNo G0181168
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON Y

20003 grants / $120,633

Improved Soft Starter for Induction Machines$60,803

Funding body: ARC (Australian Research Council)

Funding body ARC (Australian Research Council)
Project Team Professor Robert Betz, Doctor Colin Coates, Dr Brian Cook
Scheme Strategic Partnerships with Industry - Research & Training Scheme (SPIRT)
Role Investigator
Funding Start 2000
Funding Finish 2001
GNo G0178630
Type Of Funding Aust Competitive - Commonwealth
Category 1CS
UON Y

Improved Soft Starter for Induction Machines. 2000 SPIRT PARTNER.$59,413

Funding body: Zener Electrical (Newcastle) Pty Ltd

Funding body Zener Electrical (Newcastle) Pty Ltd
Project Team Professor Robert Betz, Doctor Colin Coates, Dr Brian Cook
Scheme SPIRT Partner Funding
Role Investigator
Funding Start 2000
Funding Finish 2001
GNo G0179333
Type Of Funding Contract - Aust Non Government
Category 3AFC
UON Y

Australian Unviersities Power Engineering Conference, Brisbane 24-27 September 2000$417

Funding body: University of Newcastle

Funding body University of Newcastle
Project Team Doctor Colin Coates
Scheme Travel Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2000
Funding Finish 2000
GNo G0180166
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON Y
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Research Supervision

Number of supervisions

Completed2
Current2

Current Supervision

Commenced Level of Study Research Title Program Supervisor Type
2016 PhD Renewable Energy Processing Under Smart Grid Environment PhD (Electrical Engineering), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2016 PhD Ironless Axial Flux PM Motor Control with Multi-level Cascaded H-Bridge Drive PhD (Electrical Engineering), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor

Past Supervision

Year Level of Study Research Title Program Supervisor Type
2017 PhD Smart Distribution Network Management by Energy Storage Technologies with High Intermittent Renewables PhD (Electrical Engineering), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
2012 PhD Modelling and Control of Inverter Sources within a Low Voltage Distributed Generation System PhD (Electrical Engineering), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
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Dr Colin Coates

Position

Senior Lecturer
School of Electrical Engineering and Computing
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

Focus area

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Contact Details

Email colin.coates@newcastle.edu.au
Phone (02) 4921 8969
Fax (02) 4921 6993

Office

Room EAG23
Building Engineering A Building
Location Callaghan
University Drive
Callaghan, NSW 2308
Australia
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