Alan Langworthy awarded Clunies Ross Award for lifetime contribution to science.

Each year some of the heroes of Australian science and technology are honoured with the Clunies Ross National Award, Australia's oldest applied science and technology prize.

Mr Alan Langworthy, Managing Director of Powercorp, Darwin, won his award for his pioneering work in the development of remote renewable power.

“The idea was to try to get renewable energy into remote areas to substitute for diesel fuel. Having a dedicated interest to do that throughout my lifetime has driven me to continue with the work against all the odds – against lack of money, against lack of interest, and lack of understanding of what the hell I was talking about!” said Mr Langworthy.

“Through Alan’s exceptional dedication, Powercorp technology is enabling remote communities to have large-city-quality power, almost entirely from renewable sources. It has become the most advanced high-penetration renewable energy company in the world with its products and services expanding across the globe. And the work is widening to encompass mine sites and industrial complexes,” said Mr Kean.

What the Clunies Ross Foundation had to say about Alan Langworthy:

"Alan Langworthy established and currently manages Powercorp, a world-leading and ground-breaking power systems engineering company whose technology is enabling remote communities to have large-city-quality power, almost entirely from renewable sources.

When Alan established Powercorp in Darwin 22 years ago his aim was to automate the wide variety of diesel generator power stations in the Northern Territory for the Power and Water Authority. Since then Powercorp has become the most advanced high-penetration renewable energy company in the world, due to its exceptional application of research and innovation for tangible social and economic outcomes. Alan’s contribution has spanned the full spectrum – from innovative ideas in research and development, to commercial application, operation and large personal financial investment.

Alan’s work in the renewable energy field has, however, also extended well beyond Powercorp with commitment to various Boards and advisory panels for Government and research organisations.

With the initial success in the development of a new power station automation system in the early 90s came the possibility to integrate renewable energy for fuel saving. This work and the demand side management capability of the control system led to Powercorp delivering advanced wind diesel systems in Western Australia for Western Power Corporation. With the winning of a Showcase grant from the Federal Government, Powercorp pioneered high-penetration wind diesel systems that now Power remote communities from Antarctica to the Azores.

The chief problem facing wind diesel systems when connected to isolated grids is the instability caused on the grid by wind gusts induced power surging. It is not possible for conventional generators to cope with these power instability issues and blackouts usually result wherever the wind power is. Even when the wind flow is low the fluctuations in wind speed can cause unacceptable generator response called “hunting”, which uses more fuel and can cause engine damage. This instability must be managed to achieve high penetration.

Under Alan’s leadership, Powercorp developed expertise in inverter technology with specialisation in high- speed, bi-directional control to solve the grid instability problem. He then committed all of his own available funds to make these solutions the commercial reality they are today.

Alan has significantly addressed the key problems in regional and remote energy supply and taken Powercorp’s products and services into remote communities throughout the world. In doing so he has established strong relationships with some of the world’s leading people and organisations in the renewable and remote energy fields."

Click here to read a transcript of ABC Radio's interview with Alan Langworthy.

Click here to listen to a podcast of ABC Radio's story on the Awards.