Modelling, Optimisation and Design of Conversion for Offshore Renewable Energy (UK-China MOD-CORE)

Completed

Renewable Energy Sources(Ocean Energy)
Renewable Energy Sources(Wind Energy)

Basic and strategic applied research

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Applied Mathematics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences)

Not Cross-cutting
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions)

Dr A S McDonald
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
University of Strathclyde

Standard

EPSRC

01 July 2017

02 January 2021

42 months

£809,108

Energy

Scotland

Energy : Energy

Dr A S McDonald, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde

Dr PA Lepper, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Loughborough University
Professor P Mawby, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Dr RA McMahon, Engineering, University of Cambridge
Dr M Mueller, Sch of Engineering and Electronics, University of Edinburgh
Dr J Shek, Sch of Engineering and Electronics, University of Edinburgh

Project Contact, Guodian United Power Technology Co.,Ltd, China
Project Contact, Chongqing University (CQU), China
Project Contact, CSIC (Chongqing) Haizhuang Windpower Equipment Co.,Ltd., China
Project Contact, Qingdao Haiyan Electronics Co. Ltd, China
Project Contact, Dynex Semiconductor Ltd

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.

28/01/19