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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number EP/R007756/1
Title Modelling, Optimisation and Design of Conversion for Offshore Renewable Energy (UK-China MOD-CORE)
Status Completed
Energy Categories Renewable Energy Sources(Ocean Energy) 50%;
Renewable Energy Sources(Wind Energy) 50%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Applied Mathematics) 10%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 40%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 40%;
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences) 10%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 90%;
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions) 10%;
Principal Investigator Dr A S McDonald
No email address given
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
University of Strathclyde
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 01 July 2017
End Date 02 January 2021
Duration 43 months
Total Grant Value £809,108
Industrial Sectors Energy
Region Scotland
Programme Energy : Energy
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Dr A S McDonald , Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde (99.995%)
  Other Investigator Dr PA Lepper , Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Loughborough University (0.001%)
Professor P Mawby , School of Engineering, University of Warwick (0.001%)
Dr RA McMahon , Engineering, University of Cambridge (0.001%)
Dr M Mueller , Sch of Engineering and Electronics, University of Edinburgh (0.001%)
Dr J Shek , Sch of Engineering and Electronics, University of Edinburgh (0.001%)
  Industrial Collaborator Project Contact , Chongqing University (CQU), China (0.000%)
Project Contact , Dynex Semiconductor Ltd (0.000%)
Project Contact , CSIC (Chongqing) Haizhuang Windpower Equipment Co.,Ltd., China (0.000%)
Project Contact , Guodian United Power Technology Co.,Ltd, China (0.000%)
Project Contact , Qingdao Haiyan Electronics Co. Ltd, China (0.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract Both the UK and China face great demands for offshore renewable energy (ORE) yet high risks have impeded faster development. While the cost of generated energy has just been reduced to 100/MWhr for offshore wind in the UK (4 years ahead of government schedule) deployment further offshore will increase both the capital and operational & maintenance (O&M) costs. in China, onshore wind power is severely curtailed due to crowded transmission corridors. Exploitation of offshore wind would better match the population distribution in China, and so hence there is a strong motivation to exploit this ORE. In order accelerate this development, new technologies are desperately needed to improve the performance in terms of cost, efficiency and reliability (availability). In addition to offshore wind, other forms of marine renewable energy will also play indispensable roles in the future renewable energy mix. Because these technologies are less mature, this development involves even higher risks. As yet none of the wave energy generation companies have shown to be commercially viable without economic support mechanisms.Recognising the high risks involved and the development work that is urgently needed in the industry, this project aims to carry out fundamental modelling and validating work that will lead to the capability of virtual prototyping. Such a capability will significantly accelerate and de-risk the development work in industry. Complementary expertise in the two countries are combined to address the requirements of overall system performance from ORE devices (wind and wave) to grid, and focuses on the critical technical aspects that will dictate the design decisions. This will be achieved through multiple scale (dimensional and time-wise) and multiple resolution modelling, taking into account the specifications and utilisation of materials and components in the designed systems subject to optimal control. The modelling will cover the manufacturability of the desigs and will consider environmental constraints including impact on sea life in different locations. These will be important as ORE development is scaled up in the future. The outcome of research will be demonstrated through a series of case studies including both systems for large wind farms and wave arrays, and also small scale devices supplying energy to off-grid islands.The project members have long track records in modelling and design of components in wind and marine renewable systems. The project allows the researchers to interact and carry out studies cutting across the borders of different engineering disciplines, enabling hi-fidelity modelling and virtual prototyping.
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 28/01/19