Green Hydrogen and Offshore Renewable Energy Integration

Applications are invited for a 3.5-year MPhil/PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1^st October 2021.

Project Description

Hydrogen produced from renewable energy is known as green hydrogen, and its production, storage, distribution and conversion is a rapidly emerging candidate to help decarbonise the economy. Green hydrogen can be used in combustion engines, domestic heating and hydrogen fuel cells as a carbon-free fuel and has potential as an alternative energy vector for storage and transport of energy, thereby helping to support the integration of offshore renewable energy (ORE).

Current ORE plants are sited relatively close to land in shallow water and use systems of offshore cables and substations to transform the electricity produced, transmit it to the shore and connect to the grid. Future offshore wind farms are likely to be sited further offshore and in deeper waters, where the extent and cost of the electrical cables and their maintenance will increase significantly. Transporting the energy to shore via hydrogen could become the most attractive option. Instead of using cables to transport electrons, gas pipes or liquid carriers may be more cost effective methods for transporting the energy for eventual use either as hydrogen or conversion to electricity.

The aim of the PhD is to assess whether green hydrogen can be a cost-effective solution to deliver sufficient flexibility to support further integration of ORE production in the energy system. Both on-shore and off-shore hydrogen generation will be investigated and the value of hydrogen in the energy system assessed through consideration of (1) integration as a storage medium, (2) vector for transport of the energy and (3) environmental impact.

Eligibility

Applicants should have (at least) a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant MSc or MRes qualification.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact [Email Address Removed]. However, applications must be made in accordance with the details shown below.

General information about applying for a research degree at the University of Plymouth and to apply for this position please visit: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/your-studies/research-degrees.

Please mark it FAO Doctoral College and clearly state that you are applying for a PhD studentship within the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics.

For more information on the admissions process email the Doctoral College, [Email Address Removed]

The closing date for applications is 19^th April 2021. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview the week beginning 3^rd May 2021. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received an offer of a place by 31^st May should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.