PhD Studentship: Integrated Modelling of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Systems

DoS < Deborah Greaves > (Deborah.Greaves@plymouth.ac.uk, tel.: 86122)

2^nd Supervisor < Shanshan Cheng > (Shanshan.Cheng@plymouth.ac.uk,)

3^rd Supervisor (Robert.Rawlinson-Smith@plymouth.ac.uk,)

4^th Supervisor < Scott Brown > (Scott.Brown@plymouth.ac.uk,)

5^th Supervisor < Chong Ng> (chong.ng@ore.catapult.org.uk)

6^th Supervisor < Stephen Wyatt> stephen.wyatt@ore.catapult.org.uk)

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship may start on 01 January 2024 or 01 April 2024.

Project Description

Development of offshore renewable energy is a key part of the Government’s Net Zero and Energy Security strategies with ambitious targets of 50GW offshore wind by 2030, including 5GW floating offshore wind (FOW), and 100- 140GW by 2050. However, the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) of floating offshore wind is still high compared with fixed foundation offshore wind. Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) are exposed to harsh and complex conditions in the marine environment and it is important that at the design stage, potential extreme environmental loads on FOWTs under storms, are clearly identified and quantified. This is critical not only for evaluating the survivability of FOWTs, but also to inform the design of new FOWTs for an extended envelope of safe operation and maximum energy output. The accumulation of lifetime operational fatigue loads in non-extreme weather are also critical in reducing the cost of energy from FOWTs.

Design for FOWT structures typically uses separate numerical models with varying fidelity for the hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, and structural mechanics the combination of which leads to poor representation of non-linear response and loading. In a floating system the non-linear coupling between mooring, floater, structural response and dynamics of the turbine are all important and complex, and in order to simulate these effects a fully coupled numerical model is required.

Supported by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, the aim of this PhD studentship is to develop a numerical tool for design of FOWT systems. The project will investigate coupling approaches and, using a partitioned framework, will combine the important physics in a fully coupled modelling tool.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant Masters qualification.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.

The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full Home tuition fees plus a stipend of £18,110 per annum (2023-24 rate). The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications.  Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates (approximately £12,670 per annum 2023-24 rate).

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Deborah Greaves, Deborah.Greaves@plymouth.ac.uk,.

To apply for this position please visit here.

Please clearly state the name of the studentship that you are applying for on the top of your personal statement.

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please contact Research Degree Admissions research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk .

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 10 November 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly after the deadline.

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