Robert Gordon University, through School of Engineering is offering a tuition Fees only fulltime PhD studentship for a home and an overseas candidate.
The aim of the project is to accurately model and analyse the effect of icing on the aerodynamics of novel hybrid turbines in a wind farm to maximise the energy density. The development of this study will lead to improved design capabilities for wind power companies. The project will be delivered within the Energy Research Group.
Wind energy as a source of renewable energy can be considered as a promising alternative to other conventional sources of energy, which is widely available at a competitive cost. The focus of wind energy extraction to date has been in open and more rural areas. However, harnessing wind energy in areas located close to consumption will require turbines to be relatively small and compact with reasonable weight and height. Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) have an omnidirectional design characteristic, allowing these turbines to extract wind from any direction.
VAWTs can be positioned much closer together in a farm and have been shown to produce more power density than HAWTs for a similar land. The use of strategic spacing can allow a VAWT wind farm to increase the individual turbine efficiencies and improve power density of the overall farm by taking advantage of the wake formation in the downstream of each turbine. In addition, wind turbines may be exposed to different environmental conditions spanning from harsh icy types to deserts with sandstorms where both extremes can affect the smoothness of wind turbine blade. Such conditions can generate irregularities on the blade surface and increase roughness, and subsequently, affect the flow field around the blade. Therefore, it is crucial to gain more insight into the effects of surface roughness on wind turbine blade aerodynamics and overall torque generation, hence the turbine performance.
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling techniques and experiments will be implemented to investigate the performance of wind turbines in a farm. Ultimately, dissemination of this research will provide economical and technical benefits to the wider international community. The research would generate new innovations that will contribute towards large-scale VAWTs deployment and increase confidence of potential investors.
Applications should be emailed to Dr Sheikh Z Islam at [Email Address Removed] The applications should consist of a covering letter or personal statement of interest, and a CV.
Deadline for receipt of applications is 31 July 2021.
It is expected that candidates are available to register and commence study on 01 Feb 2022.
Questions should initially be addressed to:
Dr Sheikh Z Islam
Academic Strategic Lead (Head of Mechanical Engineering Discipline)
School of Engineering
Robert Gordon University
Riverside East, Garthdee Campus
Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 1224 26 2319
E: [Email Address Removed]
W:www.rgu.ac.uk
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a First- or Upper Second-Class UK honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline such Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering. An MSc with Distinction or Merit in a relevant subject is highly desirable. Knowledge or experience of computational fluid dynamics modelling & optimisation is advantageous.
Please see further information available at: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/research/graduate-schools/applying-for-a-research-degree/funded-studentship-opportunities.
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