Dr Baran Yildiz

Dr Baran Yildiz

Senior Lecturer
Engineering
Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Baran is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering (SPREE), UNSW. He completed his PhD in load forecasting & smart home energy systems, M.Sc. in Renewable Energy Engineering, SPREE, UNSW and B.Sc with Honors in Mechanical Engineering, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey. Baran is currently leading two major projects on the control and coordination of domestic electric water heating systems to soak-up excess solar generation in electricity networks: SolarShift (RACE for 2030) and Flexible demand trial (ARENA). Baran previously led Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and RACE for 2030 projects focusing on the development of integrated smart home energy management systems and integration of distributed energy resources. Baran's research is multi-disciplinary and involves collaboration with leading industry partners of Australia's energy market. His research has been translated into real-world products benefiting energy users and made policy impact by leading a rule change in Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)'s recent determination report. Baran's research outputs have been featured in reports by AEMC, Energy Security Board (ESB), Australian Energy Regulator (AER), CRC and other prime media outlets such as ABC, The Conversation and RenewEconomy.

Current Research Projects:

  • CRC RACE for 2030 - SolarShift - Turning water heating systems into Megawatt scale batteries (Lead CI)
  • ARENA - Flexible demand trial of domestic water heaters (Lead CI)
  • ARC Hub for Integrated Energy Storage Solutions (IESS) - Community battery energy modelling (Lead CI)
  • Essential Energy Tariff Behavioural Trial (CI)
  • NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) - PV fault diagnosis (CI)

Baran is the course convener and lecturer of SOLA 4012 Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Design in SPREE.

Location
TETB Level 3
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Yildiz B; Stringer N; Klymenko T; Syahman Samhan M; Abramowitz G; Bruce A; MacGill I; Egan R; Sproul AB, 2023, 'Real-world data analysis of distributed PV and battery energy storage system curtailment in low voltage networks', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 186, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113696
    Journal articles | 2022
    Heslop S; Yildiz B; Roberts M; Chen D; Lau T; Naderi S; Bruce A; MacGill I; Egan R, 2022, 'A Novel Temperature-Independent Model for Estimating the Cooling Energy in Residential Homes for Pre-Cooling and Solar Pre-Cooling', Energies, 15, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en15239257
    Journal articles | 2022
    O'neil D; Yildiz B; Bilbao J; O'Neill D, 2022, 'An assessment of electric vehicles and vehicle to grid operations for residential microgrids', Energy Reports, 8, pp. 4104 - 4116, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.02.302
    Journal articles | 2021
    Yildiz B; Bilbao JI; Roberts M; Heslop S; Dore J; Bruce A; MacGill I; Egan RJ; Sproul AB, 2021, 'Analysis of electricity consumption and thermal storage of domestic electric water heating systems to utilize excess PV generation', Energy, 235, pp. 121325, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121325
    Journal articles | 2021
    Yildiz B; Roberts M; Bilbao JI; Heslop S; Bruce A; Dore J; MacGill I; Egan RJ; Sproul AB, 2021, 'Assessment of control tools for utilizing excess distributed photovoltaic generation in domestic electric water heating systems', Applied Energy, 300, pp. 117411 - 117411, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117411
    Journal articles | 2019
    Tang R; Yildiz B; Leong PHW; Vassallo A; Dore J, 2019, 'Residential battery sizing model using net meter energy data clustering', Applied Energy, 251, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113324
    Journal articles | 2017
    Yildiz B; Bilbao JI; Dore J; Sproul AB, 2017, 'Recent advances in the analysis of residential electricity consumption and applications of smart meter data', Applied Energy, 208, pp. 402 - 427, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.10.014
    Journal articles | 2017
    Yildiz B; Bilbao JI; Sproul AB, 2017, 'A review and analysis of regression and machine learning models on commercial building electricity load forecasting', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 73, pp. 1104 - 1122, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.02.023
  • Reports | 2024
    Fletcher J; Roche D; Christopher T; Roberts M; Yildiz B; Heslop S, 2024, Consumer Enegy Strategy 2024 - Stakeholder Consultation by NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub Electrification & Energy Systems Network, https://unsw.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/NSWDecarbInnovationHub/ERVyOLggBqNNm7Ayar7rWc8B4Sfi5hWYn1tLCjgqm0jI8g?e=BnYeBM&wdLOR=c1A42B376-A8A4-1D49-82C8-FE7FEF37E894
    Software / Code | 2024
    Salazar D; Yildiz B, 2024, SolarShift Project Open-Source Tool for Thermal Modelling, Open-source tool for modelling water heating technologies and thermal storage tanks, Published: 18 March 2024, Software / Code, https://github.com/DavidSaldivia/tm_solarshift
    Reports | 2024
    Yildiz B; Saberi H; Salazar D; Bruce A, 2024, Submission to AEMC Draft Rule Determination Unlocking Consumer Energy Resource (CER) Benefits, https://www.aemc.gov.au/contact-us/lodge-submission
    Conference Abstracts | 2024
    Yildiz B; salazar D; Saberi H; Bruce A; Sproul A, 2024, 'Future of flexible electric hot water demand in Australia', in Proceedings of Energy Research Institutes Council for Australia (ERICA) State of Energy Research Conference 2024, Perth, presented at Energy Research Institutes Council for Australia (ERICA) State of Energy Research Conference 2024, Perth, 14 February 2024 - 16 February 2024
    Reports | 2023
    Dennis P; Yildiz B; Passey R, 2023, Community battery energy modelling findings for Geni.Energy
    Software / Code | 2023
    Dennis P; Yildiz B; Passey R, 2023, Community battery energy modelling, Open-source repository for modelling energy operations of community batteries, Published: 05 June 2023, Software / Code, https://github.com/UNSW-CEEM/community-battery-model
    Conference Abstracts | 2023
    Yildiz B; Salazar D; Saberi H; Bruce A; Sproul A, 2023, 'Using electric water tanks as thermal storage to soak up excess PV generation', in Proceedings of Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference (APSRC) 2023, Melbourne, presented at Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference (APSRC) 2023, Melbourne, 04 December 2023 - 07 December 2023, https://apvi.org.au/solar-research-conference/proceedings-apsrc-2023/
    Software / Code | 2023
    Yildiz B; Samhan S, 2023, Peak load forecasting for Essential Energy, Published: 07 March 2023, Software / Code, https://github.com/mssamhan31/Daily-Peak-Load-Forecasting
    Software / Code | 2023
    Yildiz B; Stringer N; Samhan S, 2023, Solar Curtailment Open Source Tool, Published: 05 June 2023, Software / Code, https://github.com/UNSW-CEEM/Solar-Curtailment
    Reports | 2023
    Yildiz B, 2023, Review of Ausgrid's Curtailment Calculation Method in response to Australian Energy Regulator's Curtailment Calculation Method Submissions, https://www.aer.gov.au/industry/registers/resources/guidelines/customer-export-curtailment-value-methodology
    Conference Papers | 2023
    salazar D; Bruce A; Yildiz B, 2023, 'Thermal modelling of electric hot water tanks', Melbourne, presented at Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference 2023, Melbourne, 04 December 2023 - 07 March 2024, https://apvi.org.au/solar-research-conference/proceedings-apsrc-2023/
    Conference Papers | 2022
    Dennis P; Passey R; Yildiz B, 2022, 'Modelled financial outcomes for community-scale batteries', in Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference (APSRC) 2022, Newcastle, presented at Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference (APSRC) 2022, Newcastle, 29 November 2022 - 01 December 2022, https://apvi.org.au/solar-research-conference/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Dennis-Modelled-financial-outcomes-for-community-scale-batteries.pdf
    Conference Abstracts | 2022
    Dennis PHOEBE; Passey ROB; Yildiz B, 2022, 'Modelled financial outcomes for community-scale batteries', in Proceedings of Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference (APSRC) 2022, Newcastle, presented at Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference (APSRC), Newcastle, 28 November 2022 - 01 December 2022, https://apvi.org.au/solar-research-conference/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Dennis-Modelled-financial-outcomes-for-community-scale-batteries.pdf
    Conference Papers | 2022
    Ertler W; Yildiz B; Shaw M, 2022, 'Shifting domestic electric water heating to solar hours reduces battery capacity requirements by 80%: a case study in regional Victoria', Newcastle, presented at Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference (APSRC) 2022, Newcastle, 28 November 2022 - 01 December 2022, https://apvi.org.au/solar-research-conference/proceedings-apsrc-2022/
    Conference Papers | 2022
    Wang L; Yildiz B; Bruce A, 2022, 'A review of services and value provided by EV managed charging', Newcastle, presented at Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference (APSRC) 2022, Newcastle, 29 November 2022 - 01 December 2022, https://apvi.org.au/solar-research-conference/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wang-A-review-of-services-and-value-provided-by-EV-managed-charging.pdf
    Reports | 2022
    Yildiz B; Samhan S, 2022, Essential Energy Peak Load Forecasting, https://unsw.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/Essential/EbHiVXbPw4JAr90HOzntMbYBgI_uccpbnhwaM459bIucUw?e=9m3E1W
    Reports | 2021
    Yildiz B; Adams S; Samarakoon S; Stringer N; Bruce A; Macgill I, 2021, Curtailment and Network Voltage Analysis Study (CANVAS) Project Report, CRC RACE for 2030, https://www.racefor2030.com.au/publications/
    Conference Papers | 2021
    Yildiz B; Stringer N; Adams S; Samarakoon S; Bruce A; Macgill I; Sproul AB, 2021, 'Curtailment and network voltage analysis study', in 2021 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia, ISGT Asia 2021, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), AUSTRALIA, Brisbane, pp. 1 - 5, presented at 2021 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia (ISGT Asia), AUSTRALIA, Brisbane, 05 December 2021 - 08 December 2021, http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/ISGTASIA49270.2021.9715652
    Conference Abstracts | 2021
    Yildiz B; Stringer N; Adams S; Shanil S; Bruce A; Macgill I; Sproul A, 2021, 'Investigation of distributed energy resources curtailment in South Australia', in Proceedings of the Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference 2021, Syndey, presented at Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference, Syndey
    Reports | 2021
    Conference Papers | 2020
    Evans R; Yildiz B; Bilbao J, 2020, 'Capturing Photons Using High Ground Coverage Ratio (GCR) approaches', in Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, pp. 2296 - 2299, http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/PVSC45281.2020.9301029
    Reports | 2020
    Heslop S; Stringer N; Yildiz B; Bruce A; Heywood P; Macgill I; Passey R, 2020, Voltage Analysis of the LV Distribution Network in the Australian National Electricity Market, https://prod-energycouncil.energy.slicedtech.com.au/lv-voltage-report
    Reports | 2020
    Stringer N; Yildiz B; Bruce A; Macgill I, 2020, Submission to Standards Australia on the proposed amendments to AS4777.2 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters Inverter requirements, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/27932
    Conference Papers | 2019
    Heslop S; Roberts M; Yildiz B; Bruce A; Egan R; Macgill I, 2019, 'A characterisation of air conditioning consumption in Australia’s eastern capitals', in Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference 2019, Australian PV Institute, Canberra, presented at Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference, Canberra, 03 December 2019, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/27605
    Conference Papers | 2019
    O'Neill D; Yildiz B; Bilbao J, 2019, 'Electric Vehicles and V2G Integration in Future Grids', in Proceedings APSRC 2019, Canberra, presented at Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference (APSRC), Canberra, 02 December 2019, http://apvi.org.au/solar-research-conference/proceedings-apsrc-2019/
    Conference Abstracts | 2019
    O'Neill D; Yildiz B; Bilbao J, 2019, 'Electric Vehicles and V2G technology in future grids', in Proceedings of the Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference 2019, Australian PV Institute, Canberra, presented at Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference, Canberra
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Yildiz B; Bilbao JI; Dore J; Sproul A, 2018, 'Household electricity load forecasting using historical smart meter data with clustering and classification techniques', in International Conference on Innovative Smart Grid Technologies, ISGT Asia 2018, pp. 873 - 879, http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/ISGT-Asia.2018.8467837
    Conference Papers | 2017
    Yildiz B; Bilbao J; Sproul A; Dore J, 2017, 'Short-term forecasting of individual household electricity loads with investigating impact of data resolution and forecast horizon', in Goodfield D (ed.), Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability, EDP Sciences, Perth, Australia, pp. 3, presented at World Renewable Energy Congress 2017, Perth, Australia, 05 February 2017 - 09 February 2017, http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/rees/2018003
    Conference Papers | 2017
    Yildiz B; bilbao J; sproul A, 2017, 'A method for classifying households to help forecast their Photvoltaic electricity self-consumption patterns', Melbourne, presented at Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference, Melbourne, 05 December 2017 - 07 December 2017, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/26490

SolarShift: CRC RACE for 2030 project grant

South Australian flexible demand trial: ARENA grant

Community scale battery modelling: ARC Integrated Energy Storage Solutions Research Hub grant

Curtailment and Network Voltage Analysis Study (CANVAS): CRC RACE for 2030 grant

Microsoft Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Earth grant

Voltage Analysis of Low Voltage Network across the National Electricity Market (NEM): Energy Security Board (ESB)

Demand side management and demand response

Smart home energy management systems 

Appliance scheduling and control

Demand forecasting

Integration of distributed energy resources

Distributed energy resources curtailment

My Research Supervision

I am currently supervising/co-supervising four undergraduate students and a masters student.

My previous and current supervision research topics include:

  • clustering and classification of household electricity loads for PV and battery sizing,
  • tariff analysis and battery energy modelling for Virtual Power Plants (VPP),
  • integration of electric vehicles and vehicle to grid (V2G) technology in microgrids,
  • potential of distributed rooftop PV in China,
  • bi-facial PV yield modelling,
  • thermal modelling of innovative PV mounting structures.

My Teaching

Baran is the course convener and teacher of SOLA 4012, Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Design