Associate Professor Rahul Sharma
Associate Professor

Rahul Sharma

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 57240

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:

  • Solar farm reliability enhancement and fault detection- AI-driven monitoring of utility-scale solar systems.

  • Grid-connected inverter and battery control- advanced control strategies for stable integration of distributed energy resources.

  • Demand-side management and smart grid optimisation- algorithms for efficient load and storage coordination.

  • Digital twins and hybrid modelling- simulating and predicting energy system behaviour.

  • 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

  • Under-performance diagnosis and predictive maintenance for utility-scale solar farms

  • Demand-side management and optimisation in power systems

  • Solar end-of-life logistics analysis management

  • Management of Distributed Energy Resources including battery storage systems in LV distribution networks

Search Professor Rahul Sharma’s works on UQ eSpace

107 works between 2004 and 2025
All (107) Book (1) Journal Article (49) Conference Publication (56) Book Chapter (1)

41 - 60 of 107 works

2020

Journal Article

Human-vehicle dynamic model with driver’s neuromuscular characteristic for shared control of autonomous vehicle

Hanbing, Wei, Yanhong, Wu, Xing, Chen, Jin, Xu and Sharma, Rahul (2020). Human-vehicle dynamic model with driver’s neuromuscular characteristic for shared control of autonomous vehicle. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 237 (10-11) 0954407020977108, 1-13. doi: 10.1177/0954407020977108

Human-vehicle dynamic model with driver’s neuromuscular characteristic for shared control of autonomous vehicle

2020

Journal Article

Harmonic mitigation technique using active three-phase converters utilised in commercial or industrial distribution networks

Alduraibi, Abdulrahman, Yaghoobi, Jalil, Solatialkaran, Davood, Zare, Firuz and Sharma, Rahul (2020). Harmonic mitigation technique using active three-phase converters utilised in commercial or industrial distribution networks. IET Power Electronics, 13 (13), 2794-2803. doi: 10.1049/iet-pel.2019.1069

Harmonic mitigation technique using active three-phase converters utilised in commercial or industrial distribution networks

2020

Journal Article

Adaptive authority allocation of human-automation shared control for autonomous vehicle

Wu, Yanhong, Wei, Hanbing, Chen, Xing, Xu, Jin and Rahul, Sharma (2020). Adaptive authority allocation of human-automation shared control for autonomous vehicle. International Journal of Automotive Technology, 21 (3), 541-553. doi: 10.1007/s12239-020-0051-6

Adaptive authority allocation of human-automation shared control for autonomous vehicle

2020

Journal Article

A technique for fault detection, identification and location in solar photovoltaic systems

Dhoke, Amit , Sharma, Rahul and Saha, Tapan Kumar (2020). A technique for fault detection, identification and location in solar photovoltaic systems. Solar Energy, 206 DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.06.019, 864-874. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.06.019

A technique for fault detection, identification and location in solar photovoltaic systems

2019

Journal Article

An approach for fault detection and location in solar PV systems

Dhoke, Amit, Sharma, Rahul and Saha, Tapan Kumar (2019). An approach for fault detection and location in solar PV systems. Solar Energy, 194, 197-208. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2019.10.052

An approach for fault detection and location in solar PV systems

2019

Journal Article

Towards demand side management control using household specific Markovian models

Thomas, Ebby, Sharma, Rahul and Nazarathy, Yoni (2019). Towards demand side management control using household specific Markovian models. Automatica, 101, 450-457. doi: 10.1016/j.automatica.2018.11.057

Towards demand side management control using household specific Markovian models

2019

Conference Publication

Harmonic analysis of grid-tied active front end inverters for the frequency range of 0-9 kHz in distribution networks: Addressing future regulations

Rathnayake, Hansika, Khajeh, Kiarash Gharani, Zare, Firuz and Sharma, Rahul (2019). Harmonic analysis of grid-tied active front end inverters for the frequency range of 0-9 kHz in distribution networks: Addressing future regulations. 2019 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT), Melbourne, Australia, 13-15 February, 2019. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/icit.2019.8755015

Harmonic analysis of grid-tied active front end inverters for the frequency range of 0-9 kHz in distribution networks: Addressing future regulations

2019

Conference Publication

Impact of control systems on power quality at common DC bus in DC grid

Habibullah, Mohamad, Mithulananthan, N., Zare, Firuz and Sharma, Rahul (2019). Impact of control systems on power quality at common DC bus in DC grid. IEEE PES GTD Grand International Conference and Exposition Asia (GTD Asia 2019), Bangkok, Thailand, 19-23 March 2019. New York, NY, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). doi: 10.1109/GTDAsia.2019.8715875

Impact of control systems on power quality at common DC bus in DC grid

2019

Conference Publication

Dynamic analysis of a modular three-phase rectifier system with harmonic mitigation function: Addressing IEC 61000-3-12

Alduraibi, Abdulrahman, Yaghoobi, Jalil, Rathnayake, Hansika, Zare, Firuz and Sharma, Rahul (2019). Dynamic analysis of a modular three-phase rectifier system with harmonic mitigation function: Addressing IEC 61000-3-12. 2019 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT), Melbourne, Australia, 13-15 February, 2019. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/icit.2019.8755236

Dynamic analysis of a modular three-phase rectifier system with harmonic mitigation function: Addressing IEC 61000-3-12

2019

Conference Publication

Grid-tied inverters in renewable energy systems: Harmonic emission in 2 to 9 kHz frequency range

Rathnayake, Hansika, Solatialkaran, Davood, Zare, Firuz and Sharma, Rahul (2019). Grid-tied inverters in renewable energy systems: Harmonic emission in 2 to 9 kHz frequency range. 21st European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications, Genova, Italy, 3-5 September, 2019. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.23919/epe.2019.8914845

Grid-tied inverters in renewable energy systems: Harmonic emission in 2 to 9 kHz frequency range

2019

Conference Publication

Robust control of wind turbines under uncertain wind speed measurements

Mat Suboh, S. and Sharma, R. (2019). Robust control of wind turbines under uncertain wind speed measurements. IEEE PES GTD Grand International Conference and Exposition Asia (GTD Asia 2019), Bangkok, Thailand, 19-23 March 2019. New York, NY, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). doi: 10.1109/GTDAsia.2019.8715877

Robust control of wind turbines under uncertain wind speed measurements

2018

Journal Article

A novel approach in filter design for grid-connected inverters used in renewable energy systems

Solatialkaran, Davood, Zare, Firuz, Saha, Tapan K. and Sharma, Rahul (2018). A novel approach in filter design for grid-connected inverters used in renewable energy systems. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 11 (1) 8579105, 1-11. doi: 10.1109/TSTE.2018.2887079

A novel approach in filter design for grid-connected inverters used in renewable energy systems

2018

Journal Article

A customer centric approach to the use of residential batteries for distribution network support

Deeba, S. R., Barooah, P., Sharma, R., Brooks, J. and Saha, T. (2018). A customer centric approach to the use of residential batteries for distribution network support. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 10 (5), 5449-5457. doi: 10.1109/TSG.2018.2883061

A customer centric approach to the use of residential batteries for distribution network support

2018

Conference Publication

A new technology to reduce harmonic emission in distribution networks: Addressing IEC 61000-3-12

Alduraibi, Abdulrahman, Yaghoobi, Jalil, Zare, Firuz and Sharma, Rahul (2018). A new technology to reduce harmonic emission in distribution networks: Addressing IEC 61000-3-12. Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC), Auckland, New Zealand, 27-30 November 2018. Piscataway, NJ, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/AUPEC.2018.8758007

A new technology to reduce harmonic emission in distribution networks: Addressing IEC 61000-3-12

2017

Journal Article

PV module degradation analysis and impact on settings of overcurrent protection devices

Dhoke, Amit, Sharma, Rahul and Saha, Tapan Kumar (2017). PV module degradation analysis and impact on settings of overcurrent protection devices. Solar Energy, 160, 360-367. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2017.12.013

PV module degradation analysis and impact on settings of overcurrent protection devices

2017

Journal Article

Techno-economic analysis of energy storage systems for application in wind farms

Atherton, J., Sharma, R. and Salgado, J. (2017). Techno-economic analysis of energy storage systems for application in wind farms. Energy, 135, 540-552. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.06.151

Techno-economic analysis of energy storage systems for application in wind farms

2017

Journal Article

A hidden block in a grid connected active front end system: modelling, control and stability analysis

Sharma, Rahul, Zare, Firuz, Nesic, Dragan and Ghosh, Arindam (2017). A hidden block in a grid connected active front end system: modelling, control and stability analysis. IEEE Access, 5 (99), 11852-11866. doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2017.2719055

A hidden block in a grid connected active front end system: modelling, control and stability analysis

2017

Journal Article

Model-based control of utility-scale wind turbines

Blackman, Monika , Sharma, Rahul , Nadarajah, Mithulan and Athanasius, Germane (2017). Model-based control of utility-scale wind turbines. Control and Intelligent Systems, 45 (1), 1-9. doi: 10.2316/Journal.201.2017.1.201-2716

Model-based control of utility-scale wind turbines

2017

Conference Publication

Implementation of energy storage Systems for solar PV ramp stabilization

Thomas, Ebby, Sharma, Rahul and Nazarathy, Yoni (2017). Implementation of energy storage Systems for solar PV ramp stabilization. Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC), Melbourne, Australia, 19 - 22 November 2017. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/AUPEC.2017.8282422

Implementation of energy storage Systems for solar PV ramp stabilization

2017

Conference Publication

Control strategy of wind turbine generator with storage in short-term dispatch scheme

Surina, M.S. and Sharma, R. (2017). Control strategy of wind turbine generator with storage in short-term dispatch scheme. 7th IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia (ISGT-Asia), Auckland, New Zealand, 4-7 December 2017. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/ISGT-Asia.2017.8378424

Control strategy of wind turbine generator with storage in short-term dispatch scheme

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    AI Driven Diagnostics and Predictive Maintenance of solar farms using Solaris AI Platform
    Australia's Economic Accelerator Innovate Grants
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2028
    Energy Queensland Community Batteries Project [ARENA project led by Energy Queensland]
    Energy Queensland Limited
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    Development of an Advanced Flexible Chain-die Forming Process
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Solar PV Based Hybrid Microgrid System for Efficient Building Energy Management (SPARC grant administered by Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur)
    Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Solar Photovoltaics forecasting for efficient power management
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Development of algorithms to support the commercial roll-out of Solar F2D2
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Performance Enhancement of PV Based Solar Generation Systems Using PV-Next Combiner Box
    Weidmuller Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    An emerging pulsed power technology for dewatering mineral tailings
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Development of an experimental PV condition monitoring setup
    Ausroad Plant Services
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Power Quality of Future Electricity Networks (GIL project led by Uni Wollongong)
    University of Wollongong
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Pilot project to trial Solar F2D2
    Australian Renewable Energy Agency
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Optical Equipment for Advanced Thermofluid Measurements
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    High Quality and Robust Energy Conversion Systems for Distribution Networks
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Advanced Pulsed Power: an emerging technology for science and engineering systems
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Model-based control as a tool for advanced management of battery storage in electricity distribution grid and vehicle applications
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Development of advanced model-based controllers for wind-turbines in weak grids
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Rahul Sharma is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Control algorithms for the grid forming inverters to enhance stability and performance

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tapan Saha

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing Advanced Non-Thermal Processing Technique for Sustainable Food Production

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Negareh Ghasemi, Professor Nidhi Bansal

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evaluation and Management of Photovoltaic (PV) Waste for Renewable Energy Sustainability

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Wayes Tushar

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Implementing digital -twin technology for power system asset management

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chandima Ekanayake

  • 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

  • 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

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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