Development of a Lift-Based Wave Energy Converter

The numerical modelling of a crossflow turbine for marine energy applications.

The Marine Research Group at Queen’s University Belfast would like to invite applicant interested in the blue economy and marine engineering to consider the following PhD opportunity. 

The need to develop renewable energy technology continues to grow as the impact of climate change becomes more evident. Crossflow turbine designs have many benefits in marine energy applications, but little established research and design standards have been developed for their application in tidal and wave energy conversion. 

This PhD project primarily focus on established crossflow turbine design that have physical test data. By numerically modelling these established designs, model validity can be considered as well as an understanding of the complex hydrodynamics occurring in the intra-rotor cycle. Furthermore, by assessing the resource characteristics of the intended application, tidal or wave energy conversion, the development of next-generation rotor designs and performance assessment will be established. 

It is intended that the successful candidate will work closely with both the research team at QUB as well as project partners in active research projects. 

The successful candidate will acquire expertise in marine energy technology, fluid mechanics, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and experimental data analysis.

The PhD student is expected to participate in the broader marine energy community by presenting at international conferences such as the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC). Such events will provide a platform to develop a network of professional contacts for further career progression.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

• Apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Natural and Built Environment (subject: Civil Engineering)
• State name of the lead supervisor as ‘Dr Carwyn Frost’ on application
• State ‘EPSRC funded 3.5 years DTP’ as Intended Source of Funding
• To apply, visit https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/user/u_login.php

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Applicants should use the ‘Research Proposal’ section to provide a 1,000-word (maximum) discussion of the project description outlining:

• Understanding of the proposed research question(s) aims and objectives

• The broader context of the research and its relevance to engineering and science

• A methodological approach to the work

• Options for analysis of the data gathered