
Overview
Background
I work on control systems and AI for renewable energy, with applications in solar farms, smart grids, and inverter-dominated power systems. My research combines theory, simulation, and field validation, with active collaborations across industry and translational research. I completed my PhD at the University of Melbourne in 2008, focusing on fault diagnosis in power systems, and have been engaged continuously in research and teaching since 2005. Following my PhD, I joined the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Melbourne as a research fellow to work on the control system design for a hydrogen fuelled internal combustion engine. I joined UQ in late 2011 and currently hold a Associate Professor role with responsibilities in teaching, research and service. My research spans solar farms, grid-connected inverters, distributed energy resources, and battery storage systems, combining theory, simulation, and real-world experimentation. I have led translational research efforts, most notably SolarisAI, a start-up commercialising solar farm monitoring and underperformance diagnosis.
Prospective PhD Students
I welcome motivated students interested in control systems, renewable energy, and AI-based optimisation. I am interested in projects with both theoretical and practical impact, including:
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Solar farm reliability enhancement and fault detection- AI-driven monitoring of utility-scale solar systems.
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Grid-connected inverter and battery control- advanced control strategies for stable integration of distributed energy resources.
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Demand-side management and smart grid optimisation- algorithms for efficient load and storage coordination.
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Digital twins and hybrid modelling- simulating and predicting energy system behaviour.
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End-of-life PV system management- sustainable logistics and circular economy strategies for solar panels.
Interested applicants with strong academic credentials and evidence of research experience are welcome to contact me directly via email with your CV, academic transcripts, and a short statement of research interest to me.
Availability
- Associate Professor Rahul Sharma is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Research interests
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Under-performance diagnosis and predictive maintenance for utility-scale solar farms
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Demand-side management and optimisation in power systems
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Solar end-of-life logistics analysis management
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Management of Distributed Energy Resources including battery storage systems in LV distribution networks
Works
Search Professor Rahul Sharma’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Stage-wise modelling of energy, emissions, and economic trade-offs in recycling end-of-life photovoltaic panels for circular economy decision-making
Almaghrbi, Fadi, Tushar, Wayes and Sharma, Rahul (2025). Stage-wise modelling of energy, emissions, and economic trade-offs in recycling end-of-life photovoltaic panels for circular economy decision-making. Energy, 336 138210, 138210. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.138210
2025
Journal Article
A review on network-aware control of distributed energy resources under the dynamic operating envelopes framework
Lankeshwara, Gayan, Sharma, Rahul, Yan, Ruifeng, Tushar, Wayes and Saha, Tapan K. (2025). A review on network-aware control of distributed energy resources under the dynamic operating envelopes framework. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 217 115696, 115696-217. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2025.115696
2025
Journal Article
Development and validation of a dynamic operating envelopes-enabled demand response scheme in low-voltage distribution networks
Lankeshwara, Gayan, Sharma, Rahul, Alam, M.R., Yan, Ruifeng and Saha, Tapan K. (2025). Development and validation of a dynamic operating envelopes-enabled demand response scheme in low-voltage distribution networks. Applied Energy, 382 125150, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.125150
2024
Journal Article
Advanced condition monitoring for active front end converter LCL filter AC capacitors
Matijevic, Edi, Sharma, Rahul, Hemanth, Ajay, Zare, Firuz and Kumar, Dinesh (2024). Advanced condition monitoring for active front end converter LCL filter AC capacitors. IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics, 12 (6), 5591-5601. doi: 10.1109/jestpe.2024.3400454
2024
Conference Publication
Assessing the environmental impact of recycling end-of-life solar panels: a case study of the Sunshine Coast solar farm
Almaghrbi, Fadi, Tushar, Wayes and Sharma, Rahul (2024). Assessing the environmental impact of recycling end-of-life solar panels: a case study of the Sunshine Coast solar farm. 2024 IEEE 34th Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference, AUPEC 2024, Sydney, Australia, 20-22 November 2024. Piscataway, NJ, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/aupec62273.2024.10807636
2024
Journal Article
Dynamic operating envelope-enabled P2P trading to maximise financial returns of prosumers
Azim, M. Imran, Lankeshwara, Gayan, Tushar, Wayes, Sharma, Rahul, Alam, Mollah R., Saha, Tapan K., Khorasany, Mohsen and Razzaghi, Reza (2024). Dynamic operating envelope-enabled P2P trading to maximise financial returns of prosumers. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 15 (2), 1978-1990. doi: 10.1109/tsg.2023.3297366
2024
Journal Article
Time-varying operating regions of end-users and feeders in low-voltage distribution networks
Lankeshwara, Gayan, Sharma, Rahul, Yan, Ruifeng, Saha, Tapan K. and Milanović, Jovica V. (2024). Time-varying operating regions of end-users and feeders in low-voltage distribution networks. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 39 (2), 4600-4611. doi: 10.1109/tpwrs.2023.3302421
2024
Journal Article
Robust provision of demand response from thermostatically controllable loads using Lagrangian relaxation
Lankeshwara, Gayan and Sharma, Rahul (2024). Robust provision of demand response from thermostatically controllable loads using Lagrangian relaxation. International Journal of Control, 97 (8), 1918-1933. doi: 10.1080/00207179.2023.2241579
2024
Journal Article
Enhancing active power dispatchability of WTG-BESS through integrated control considering wind forecast error
Suboh, S. M., Sharma, R., Tushar, W. and Ahamad, N. B. (2024). Enhancing active power dispatchability of WTG-BESS through integrated control considering wind forecast error. IEEE Access, 12, 2778-2792. doi: 10.1109/access.2023.3348820
2023
Journal Article
Waveform abnormality detection method for distribution system equipment condition monitoring
Luo, Junya, Yan, Ruifeng, Saha, Tapan and Sharma, Rahul (2023). Waveform abnormality detection method for distribution system equipment condition monitoring. International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 152 109267, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2023.109267
2023
Journal Article
Detailed estimation of grid-side current and its oscillations caused by adjustable speed drive systems
Moradi, Arash, Farajizadeh, Farzad, Zare, Firuz, Kumar, Dinesh, Rathnayake, Hansika, Sharma, Rahul and Kroese, Dirk (2023). Detailed estimation of grid-side current and its oscillations caused by adjustable speed drive systems. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, PP (99), 1-10. doi: 10.1109/tie.2022.3206695
2023
Journal Article
Achieving the UN’s sustainable energy targets through dynamic operating limits
Tushar, Wayes, Azim, M. Imran, Alam, Mollah Rezaul, Yuen, Chau, Sharma, Rahul, Saha, Tapan and Poor, H. Vincent (2023). Achieving the UN’s sustainable energy targets through dynamic operating limits. iScience, 26 (7) 107194, 107194. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107194
2023
Book
SM Bay City - Sustainability Framework: pathways for achieving sustainability outcomes in Manila Bay
Maher, Ray, Ahmad, Mubeen, Fidelman, Pedro, Franks, Daniel, Fuller, Richard, Hyland, Peter, Junior, Patrick, Kenway, Steven, Ly, Leo, Molyneaux, Lynette, Sharma, Rahul, Sipe, Neil, Sochacka, Beata, Sockhill, Nicola and Webster-Mannison, Marci (2023). SM Bay City - Sustainability Framework: pathways for achieving sustainability outcomes in Manila Bay. Manila, The Phillipines: SM Prime.
2023
Journal Article
A comprehensive review of harmonic issues and estimation techniques in power system networks based on traditional and artificial intelligence/machine learning
Taghvaie, A., Warnakulasuriya, T., Kumar, D., Zare, F., Sharma, R. and Vilathgamuwa, M. (2023). A comprehensive review of harmonic issues and estimation techniques in power system networks based on traditional and artificial intelligence/machine learning. IEEE Access, 11, 31417-31442. doi: 10.1109/access.2023.3260768
2023
Journal Article
A Comprehensive Steady-State Analysis for Modular Multi-Parallel Rectifiers (MMR) with Shared DC-Link
Sunbul, Ali, Zare, Firuz, Sharma, Rahul and Ghosh, Arindam (2023). A Comprehensive Steady-State Analysis for Modular Multi-Parallel Rectifiers (MMR) with Shared DC-Link. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 59 (2), 1969-1981. doi: 10.1109/tia.2022.3231578
2023
Journal Article
Predicting student performance using educational data mining and learning analytics technique
Sharma, Rahul, Shrivastava, Shiv Shakti and Sharma, Aditi (2023). Predicting student performance using educational data mining and learning analytics technique. Journal of Intelligent Systems and Internet of Things, 10 (2), 24-37. doi: 10.54216/JISIoT.100203
2023
Journal Article
Analyzing the performance of different classifier for detecting polarity of customer reviews
Sharma, Rahul Kumar and Dagur, Arvind (2023). Analyzing the performance of different classifier for detecting polarity of customer reviews. International Journal on Recent and Innovation Trends in Computing and Communication, 11 (7), 142-148. doi: 10.17762/ijritcc.v11i7.7839
2023
Conference Publication
An approach to enhance the performance of hybrid solar dryer
Sharma, Rahul, Ashish Kumar, Aviral Mathur and Dadhish Kumar (2023). An approach to enhance the performance of hybrid solar dryer. International Conference on Mechanical Engineering (INCOME 2021), New Delhi, India/Virtual, 25-26 November 2021. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-3498-8_6
2023
Conference Publication
Crime analysis and prediction in 7 states of India using statistical software RStudio
Sharma, Aditi, Sharma, Chandani, Sharma, Rahul and Panchal, K. D. (2023). Crime analysis and prediction in 7 states of India using statistical software RStudio. 4th International Conference on Advances in Information Communication Technology and Computing (AICTC-2022), Rajasthan, India, 17-18 December 2022. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-9888-1_8
2022
Conference Publication
Mathematical analysis of grid impedance effects on grid harmonics and commutations in a distribution network with a three-phase diode-rectifier
Taghvaie, Amir, Zare, Firuz, Sharma, Rahul and Kumar, Dinesh (2022). Mathematical analysis of grid impedance effects on grid harmonics and commutations in a distribution network with a three-phase diode-rectifier. 10th IEEE International Conference on Power Electronics, Drives and Energy Systems (IEEE PEDES), Jaipur, India, 14-17 December 2022. Piscataway, NJ, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/pedes56012.2022.10080367
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Rahul Sharma is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Control algorithms for the grid forming inverters to enhance stability and performance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tapan Saha
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing Advanced Non-Thermal Processing Technique for Sustainable Food Production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Negareh Ghasemi, Professor Nidhi Bansal
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Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation and Management of Photovoltaic (PV) Waste for Renewable Energy Sustainability
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Wayes Tushar
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Doctor Philosophy
Implementing digital -twin technology for power system asset management
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chandima Ekanayake
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring Electric Vehicle to Grid Support Services and Energy Arbitrage Benefits via an Aggregator
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Md Mejbaul Haque, Professor Mithulan Nadarajah
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Doctor Philosophy
New Electricity Market Mechanism for Electric Vehicles to Address Emerging Distribution Network Operational Challenges
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tapan Saha, Dr Wayes Tushar
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Doctor Philosophy
Non-equilibrium atmospheric plasma for sterilisation and wound healing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nidhi Bansal, Dr Abbas Shafiee, Dr Negareh Ghasemi, Dr Carolyn Jacobs
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Parallel Rectifiers in Adjustable Speed Drive Systems: Analysis, Modelling and Control
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Model-based Control for Utility-scale Wind Turbine Systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Wayes Tushar
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Active Front End Power Electronics converter: modeling, control and analysis
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Network-aware Demand Response in the Presence of Uncertainties
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tapan Saha, Associate Professor Richard Yan
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Data Analytics in Power Engineering and Demand Management
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Yoni Nazarathy
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Modelling of ignition by low voltage electrical discharges in explosion protection applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tapan Saha
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Control Methodologies for Energy Storage Systems in Electricity Distribution Networks
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tapan Saha
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Generic Condition Monitoring on Distribution Systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tapan Saha, Associate Professor Richard Yan
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Analysis and modelling of harmonics generated by multiple motor drive systems in distribution networks
Associate Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Configuring and Controlling LSPV Plants for Effective Usage and Enhanced Grid Stability
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mithulan Nadarajah
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Modelling and Design of DC Microgrid with Renewable Energy for Stability Analysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mithulan Nadarajah
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Analysis of Harmonics Generated by Power Converters in Power Networks: Impacts and Mitigation Techniques
Associate Advisor
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Optimal output filter design for grid-tied inverters with GaN-based switching devices
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tapan Saha
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Condition Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis in Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tapan Saha
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Rahul Sharma directly for media enquiries about:
- Automotive modelling and control
- Fault diagnosis
- Model predictive control
- Systems and control theory
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