Dr Jonathan Whale
PhD (Physics), University of Edinburgh

I came to Murdoch University as a researcher in the field of wind energy with 9 years experience working with research groups in the United Kingdom and the United States. This work often involved collaboration with other research groups and industry throughout the world through mechanisms such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) Wind RD&D Program. I co-wrote successful grant applications for funding from the UK’s Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

I have been employed in different roles at Murdoch University since February 2001. Initially I was employed by the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE) on projects related to the commercialisation of a range of wind turbines. At around the same time, I was consulted by the School of Engineering to work together with others from the wind energy industry and develop a unit on wind energy for the Renewable Energy Engineering Program. From 2002 to 2007 I worked as a part-time lecturer in the Energy Studies Program and a part-time research officer with the Research Institute of Sustainable Energy (RISE), on industry projects related to wind turbines. In 2007, I became 100% employed by the School of Engineering and Energy in the area of Energy Studies and Renewable Energy Engineering. In 2008 I established a National Small Wind Turbine Centre (NSWTC) at Murdoch University, sparked by my ideas on small wind turbine research. The NSWTC is a $1.05 million federally-funded Centre that aims to improve the quality and reliability of small wind turbines. I am currently the Academic Chair of the Energy Studies Program.

Within the School of Engineering and Energy, I am currently involved in teaching fourteen units in the Energy Studies Program as well as four Renewable Energy Engineering units.

My current projects are:

The National Small Wind Turbine Centre – testing, standards, professional development and research associated with issues related to wind turbines with a swept area of less than 200 square metres.

Monitoring the performance of the Swift wind turbines at the Bunnings warehouse in Port Kennedy – investigating the characteristics of the wind resource in the urban area as well as the performance of small wind turbines in the built environment

Wind resource map for the City of Rockingham – mapping the wind resource using a meso-scale atmospheric model in order to highlight potential sites for the use of wind energy in the City of Rockingham

I am the Principal Supervisor for the following PhD candidates:

Ahmad Taufik – Investigating the use of renewable energy in transmigration villages in Mesuji, Lampung, Indonesia.

Sari Murni – Sustainable Energy Electrification for Remote Rural Area on Border of Malaysia and Indonesia

Matt Nazari – Electricity Generation Investments under Policy and Market Uncertainties: A Case Study in Australia

Amir Bashirzadeh Tabrizi – Developing Resource Assessment and Installation Guidelines for Small Wind Turbines in the Built Environment

Chapters

• Kazmirowicz, D., Brydges, J., Whale, J., Wood, D., (2018),Assessing Wind Loads for Urban Photovoltaic Installations,In: Wind and Solar Based Energy Systems for Communities, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, pages to.

Journals

• Neunaber, I., Holling, M., Whale, J., Peinke, J., (2021), Comparison of the turbulence in the wakes of an actuator disc and a model wind turbine by higher order statistics: A wind tunnel study, Renewable Energy, 179, , pages 1650 - 1662.
• Sharma, P., Minakshi Sundaram, M., Whale, J., Jean-Fulcrand, A., Garnweitner, G., (2021), Effect of the anionic counterpart: Molybdate vs. tungstate in energy storage for pseudo-capacitor applications, Nanomaterials, 11, 3, pages 580 -.
• Vidinopoulos, A., Whale, J., Fuentes Hutfilter, U., (2020), Assessing the technical potential of ASEAN countries to achieve 100% renewable energy supply, Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 42, , pages 100878 -.
• Durrans, B., Whale, J., Calais, M., (2020), Benchmarking a sustainable energy engineering undergraduate degree against curriculum frameworks and pedagogy standards from industry and academia, Energies, 13, 4, pages 822 -.
• KC, A., Whale, J., Evans, N., Clausen, P., (2020), An investigation of the impact of wind speed and turbulence on small wind turbine operation and fatigue loads, Renewable Energy, 146, , pages 87 - 98.
• Tanesab, J., Parlevliet, D., Whale, J., Urmee, T., (2019), The effect of dust with different morphologies on the performance degradation of photovoltaic modules, Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 31, , pages 347 - 354.
• KC, A., Whale, J., Urmee, T., Peinke, J., Wachter, M., (2018), A comparative analysis of built environment and open terrain wind data by higher order statistics and performance evaluation of 5 kW HAWT using FAST, Journal of Physics Conference Series, 1037, 7, pages -.
• KC, A., Whale, J., Urmee, T., (2018), Urban wind conditions and small wind turbines in the builtenvironment: A review, Renewable Energy, 131, , pages 268 - 283.
• Tanesab, J., Parlevliet, D., Whale, J., Urmee, T., (2018), Energy and economic losses caused by dust on residential photovoltaic (PV) systems deployed in different climate areas, Renewable Energy, 120, , pages 401 - 412.
• Bashirzadeh Tabrizi, A., Wu, B., Whale, J., Shahabi Lotfabadi, M., (2018), Using TurbSim stochastic simulator to improve accuracy of computational modelling of wind in the built environment, Wind Engineering, , , pages 1 - 15.
• W?er, G., Whale, J., Br?nl, T., (2018), Smart accelerating and braking achieving higher energy efficiencies in electric vehicles, International Journal of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, 10, 4, pages 283 - 298.
• Schottler, J., Reinke, N., Holling, A., Whale, J., Peinke, J., Holling, M., (2017), On the impact of non-Gaussian wind statistics on windturbines an experimental approach, Wind Energy Science, 2, , pages 1 - 13.
• Bashirzadeh Tabrizi, A., Whale, J., Lyons, T., Urmee, T., Peinke, J., (2017), Modelling the structural loading of a small wind turbine at a highly turbulent site via modifications to the Kaimal turbulence spectra, Renewable Energy, 105, , pages 288 - 300.
• Shahnazari, M., Whale, J., Maybee, B., McHugh, A., (2017), Overlapping carbon pricing and renewable support schemes under political uncertainty: Global lessons from an Australian case study, Applied Energy, 200, , pages 237 - 248.
• Tanesab, J., Parlevliet, D., Whale, J., Urmee, T., (2017), Seasonal effect of dust on the degradation of PV modules performance deployed in different climate areas, Renewable Energy, 111, , pages 105 - 115.
• Shafiullah, G., Watson, B., Lund, C., Rahman, M., Rupf, G., Whale, J., (2017), Voltage Optimisation Technology for an AustralianAbattoir A Techno-Economic Evaluation, Energies, 10, 11, pages 1764 -.
• Evans, S., KC, A., Bradney, D., Urmee, T., Whale, J., Clausen, P., (2017), The suitability of the IEC 61400-2 wind model for small wind turbines operating in the built environment, Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability, 2, 31, pages -.
• Lyons, S., Whale, J., Wood, J., (2017), Wind power variations during storms and their impact on balancing generators and carbon emissions in the Australian National Electricity Market, Renewable Energy, 118, , pages 1052 - 1063.
• Wager, G., Whale, J., Braunl, T., (2017), Performance evaluation of regenerative braking systems, Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Proceedings. Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, , November 17, 2017 (Online First), pages -.
• Tanesab, J., Parlevliet, D., Whale, J., Urmee, T., (2016), Dust Effect and its Economic Analysis on PV Modules Deployed in a Temperate Climate Zone, Energy Procedia, 100, , pages 65 - 68.
• Wager, G., Whale, J., Braunl, T., (2016), Battery cell balance of electric vehicles under fast-DC charging, International Journal of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, 8, 4, pages 351 - 361.
• Wager, G., Whale, J., Braunl, T., (2016), Driving electric vehicles at highway speeds: The effect of higher driving speeds on energy consumption and driving range for electric vehicles in Australia, Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 63, , pages 158 - 165.
• Pascale, A., Urmee, T., Whale, J., Kumar, S., (2016), Examining the potential for developing women-led solar PV enterprises in rural Myanmar, Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 57, , pages 576 - 583.
• Tanesab, J., Parlevliet, D., Whale, J., Urmee, T., Pryor, T., (2015), The contribution of dust to performance degradation of PV modules in a temperate climate zone, Solar Energy, 120, , pages 147 - 157.
• Bashirzadeh Tabrizi, A., Whale, J., Lyons, T., Urmee, T., (2015), Rooftop wind monitoring campaigns for small wind turbine applications: Effect of sampling rate and averaging period, Renewable Energy, 77, 0, pages 320 - 330.
• Bashirzadeh Tabrizi, A., Whale, J., Lyons, T., Urmee, T., (2015), Extent to which international wind turbine design standard, IEC61400-2 is valid for a rooftop wind installation, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 139, , pages 50 - 61.
• Bashirzadeh Tabrizi, A., Whale, J., Lyons, T., Urmee, T., (2015), Extent to which international windturbine design standard IEC61400-2 is valid for a rooftop wind installation, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 139, , pages 50 - 61.
• Houston, C., Gyamfi, S., Whale, J., (2014), Evaluation of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation opportunities for small scale dairy farms: A case study in Prince Edward Island, Canada, Renewable Energy, 67, , pages 20 - 29.
• Wager, G., Braunl, T., McHenry, M., Whale, J., (2014), Enhanced EV and ICE vehicle energy efficiency through drive cycle synchronisation of deferred auxiliary loads, International Journal of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, 6, 3, pages 179 - 194.
• Shahnazari, M., McHugh, A., Maybee, B., Whale, J., (2014), Evaluation of power investment decisions under uncertain carbon policy: A case study for converting coal fired steam turbine tocombined cycle gas turbine plants in Australia, Applied Energy, 118, , pages 271 - 279.
• Shahnazari, M., McHugh, A., Maybee, B., Whale, J., (2014), The effect of political cycles on power investment decisions: Expectations over the repeal and reinstatement of carbon policy mechanisms in Australia, Applied Energy, 130, , pages 157 - 165.
• Ross, S., McHenry, M., Whale, J., (2014), Small Wind Turbine Installer Training and Accreditation in Australia Compared to UK and USA, Energy Development Frontier, 3, 1, pages 1 - 10.
• Auld, T., McHenry, M., Whale, J., (2014), Options to mitigate utility-scale wind turbine impacts on defence capability, air supremacy, and missile detection, Renewable Energy, 63, , pages 255 - 262.
• Bashirzadeh Tabrizi, A., Whale, J., Lyons, T., Urmee, T., (2014), Performance and safety of rooftop wind turbines: use of CFD to gain insight into inflow conditions, Renewable Energy, 67, , pages 242 - 251.
• Wager, G., McHenry, M., Whale, J., Braunl, T., (2014), Testing energy efficiency and driving range of electric vehicles in relation to gear selection, Renewable Energy, 62, 0, pages 303 - 312.
• Whale, J., McHenry, M., Malla, A., (2013), Scheduling and conducting power performance testing of a small wind turbine, Renewable Energy, 55, , pages 55 - 61.
• Murni, S., Whale, J., Urmee, T., Davis, J., Harries, D., (2013), Learning from experience: A survey of existing micro-hydropower projects in Ba'Kelalan, Malaysia, Renewable Energy, 60, , pages 88 - 97.
• Auld, T., McHenry, M., Whale, J., (2013), US military, airspace, and meteorological radar system impacts from utility class wind turbines: Implications for renewable energy targets and the wind industry, Renewable Energy, 55, , pages 24 - 30.
• Murni, S., Whale, J., Urmee, T., Davis, J., Harries, D., (2012), The role of micro hydro power systems in remote rural electrification: a case study in the Bawan Valley, Borneo, Procedia Engineering, 49, , pages 189 - 196.
• Ross, S., McHenry, M., Whale, J., (2012), The impact of state feed-in tariffs and federal tradable quota support policies on grid-connected small wind turbine installed capacity in Australia, Renewable Energy, 46, , pages 141 - 147.
• Taufik, A., Whale, J., (2010), Investigating the Use of Energy and Water in Villages in the East Mesuji region of Sumatra, Indonesia, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology. Proceedings, , 66, pages 1449 - 1458.
• Whale, J., (2009), Design and construction of a simple blade pitch measurement system for small wind turbines, Renewable Energy, 34, 2, pages 425 - 429.
• Whale, J., Anderson, C., Bariess, R., Wagner, S., (2000), An experimental and numerical study of the vortex structure in the wake of a wind turbine, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 84, 1, pages 1 - 21.

Conference

• Shahnazari, M., McHugh, A., Maybee, B., Whale, J., (2014),Power Investment Decisions under Uncertain Carbon Policy: The Effect of Anticipated Repeal and Reinstatement of Regulations,In: Real Options 18th Annual International Conference.
• Bashirzadeh Tabrizi, A., Whale, J., Lyons, T., Urmee, T., (2014),Designing small wind turbines for highly turbulent sites,In: 52nd Annual Conference, Australian Solar Energy Society.
• Shahnazari, M., Maybee, B., Whale, J., McHugh, A., (2014),Climate policy uncertainty and power generation investments:A real options-CVaR portfolio optimization approach,In: The 7th International Conference on Applied Energy ICAE2015.
• Murni, S., Urmee, T., Whale, J., Davis, J., Harries, D., (2014),The Implementation of Micro Hydro Projects in Remote Villages on the Border of Indonesia and Malaysia: Lessons Learnt,In: International Conference and Utility Exhibition 2014 on Green Energy for Sustainable Development (ICUE 2014).
• Whale, J., Malla, A., (2011),Scheduling Power Performance Testing at the National Small Wind Turbine Centre,In: 49th Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) Annual Conference (2011).
• Murni, S., Whale, J., Davis, J., Urmee, T., Harries, D., (2010),Status of Rural Electrification in the 'Heart of Borneo': Role of Micro Hydro Projects,In: Solar2010, the 48th Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) Annual Conference (2010).
• Whale, J., Doepel, D., (2009),A review of the current status of Small Wind Western Australia and effectiveness of relevant State and Federal policy,In: 47th Annual Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES) (2009).
• Whale, J., (2009),Deployment of wind pumps throughout remote Indonesia: a survey of technical support,In: 47th Annual Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES) (2009).
• Whale, J., (2009),The National Small Wind Turbine Centre,In: 47th Annual Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES) (2009).
• Whale, J., (2008),Survey of community support for a renewable energy system implementation program in Sumatera, Indonesia,In: 3rd International Solar Energy Society Conference Asia Pacific Region (ISES-AP) and the 46th Australian New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES) Conference (2008).
• Whale, J., (2008),Rooftop Wind Resource Assessment using a Three-Dimension Ultrasonic Anemometer,In: 7th World Wind Energy Conference (WWEC) (2008).
• Whale, J., Lyons, T., Dreher, H., Chand, D., (2008),Investigating the use of a mesoscale model as part of a feasibility study for a rooftop wind system,In: 3rd International Solar Energy Society Conference Asia Pacific Region (ISES-AP) and the 46th Australian New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES) Conference (2008).
• Whale, J., (2007),Research Enhanced Teaching at Murdoch University via the RISE Wind Energy Projects,In: Science Teachers Association of Western Australia - Conference.
• Whale, J., (2007),Design, Construction and Testing of a Blade Pitch Measurement System for Small Wind Turbines,In: American Institute of Physics (AIP) Conference (2007).
• Whale, J., (2007),Initiating Best Practice Guidelines for Urban Wind Systems,In: Australian Wind Energy Association Conference (2007).
• Whale, J., Pryor, T., (2005),The ResLab Small Wind Program,In: 4th World Wind Energy Conference & Renewable Energy Exhibition (WWEC) (2005).
• Maunsell, D., Lyons, T., Whale, J., (2004),Wind Resource Assessment of a Site in Western Australia,In: 42nd Annual Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES) (2004).