Rahul Sharma

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.