This project is one of three linked PhD projects looking at the development of offshore floating windfarm technologies as part of a partnership between the National Decommissioning Centre (NDC), ORE Catapult and School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen. Each project focuses on a different aspect of offshore wind development, including the simulation of floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) systems, design optimisation of these systems, and environmental concerns.
This project aims to improve the design of floating offshore wind platforms and mooring systems by developing a multi-disciplinary, multi-objective optimisation method. Given the complexity of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) systems, a deep interdisciplinary understanding of the interactions between the floating structure and hydro-aerodynamic loads, station keeping forces and the wind turbine’s control system is necessary. A robust FOWT design requires a thorough numerical analysis, as their response to wind and wave loads is key to identifying design loads on different components of a FOWT.
However, floating platform and mooring designs continue to rely heavily on experience and multiple design iterations until all design criteria have been met, leading to a feasible, but perhaps sub-optimal, design. Instead, the technical and economic feasibility of FOWT designs could be investigated using early-stage design optimisation tools to account for the interdisciplinary interactions among the wind turbine elements and identify quantitatively the best (optimal) solutions under multiple user-defined criteria.
Optimisation algorithms have been applied to floating offshore wind turbine designs. However, further work is required to integrate floating platform design tools with mooring system design, with the aim of introducing an industry-oriented methodology in support of the technological development of floating wind.
The PhD student will be part of a multidisciplinary team based in the NDC’s Centre for Doctoral Training (https://www.ukndc.com/) in Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, working alongside a group of PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, senior academics and industry colleagues. The student will also have an opportunity to spend time in the ORE Catapult's National Floating Offshore Wind Innovation Centre in Aberdeen working alongside industry experts.
Essential Background/Knowledge:
This is a highly multi-disciplinary PhD suited to candidates with an engineering background, with knowledge in fluid dynamics, structural mechanics and a solid background in coding (e.g. Python). It is desired that the candidate also has experience in some, or all, of the following: floating wind dynamics, numerical modelling (e.g. CFD, OpenFast or OrcaFlex), and optimisation algorithms.
Eligibility Criteria:
Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a UK honours (or equivalent) at 2.1 grade, in a relevant subject
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
- Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
- You should apply for Engineering (PhD) to ensure your application is passed to the correct team for processing.
- Please clearly note the name of the supervisor and exact project title on the application form.
- Please note: you DO NOT need to provide a research proposal with this application
- General application enquiries can be made to [Email Address Removed]
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