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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number EP/P008682/1
Title United Kingdom Centre for Marine Energy Research
Status Completed
Energy Categories Renewable Energy Sources(Ocean Energy) 80%;
Renewable Energy Sources(Wind Energy) 20%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 20%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 80%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 80%;
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Policy and regulation) 10%;
Other (Energy technology information dissemination) 10%;
Principal Investigator Mr H Jeffrey
No email address given
Sch of Engineering and Electronics
University of Edinburgh
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 01 December 2016
End Date 31 May 2019
Duration 30 months
Total Grant Value £1,517,202
Industrial Sectors Energy
Region Scotland
Programme Energy : Energy
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Mr H Jeffrey , Sch of Engineering and Electronics, University of Edinburgh (99.990%)
  Other Investigator Dr I Masters , Engineering, Swansea University (0.001%)
Dr AJ Williams , Engineering, Swansea University (0.001%)
Dr TN Croft , Engineering, Swansea University (0.001%)
Dr PR Thies , Engineering Computer Science and Maths, University of Exeter (0.001%)
Prof DM Ingram , Energy Systems, University of Edinburgh (0.001%)
Mr C Johnstone , Mechanical Engineering, University of Strathclyde (0.001%)
Dr A Kiprakis , Sch of Engineering and Electronics, University of Edinburgh (0.001%)
Dr A. H. Day , Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde (0.001%)
Dr L Johanning , Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter (0.001%)
Professor FP Brennan , School of Engineering, Cranfield University (0.001%)
  Industrial Collaborator Project Contact , Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) (0.000%)
Project Contact , Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (0.000%)
Project Contact , Nagasaki Marine Industry Cluster Promotion Association (NaMICPA), Japan (0.000%)
Project Contact , National University of Mexico (0.000%)
Project Contact , ENERGÍA Marina SpA, Chile (0.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract Marine (or offshore) renewable energy has a large potential to deliver clean, secure and predictable energy. The United Kingdom has some of the largest natural resources (large waves, strong tidal currents and high winds) of any country in the world. The exploitation of these resources is critical to addressing the energy trilemma (of producing secure, cost affordable, low carbon energy). Indeed, it is likely that without marine energy the UK's ambitious 2050 carbon reduction targets cannot be met. However, Marine energy has significant challenges to overcome. Wave, tidal and wind turbines must be installed and operated in remote locations, where the water is deep and the ocean, weather and tides are highly energetic. To provide cost effective electricity, renewable energy devices must be inexpensive to manufacture, simple to install, reliable, easy to service and produce large quantities of energy. Achieving all of this within the hostile marine environment is quite a challenge, however the prize is significant, providing not only clean energy, but significant employment and export opportunities.The United Kingdom Centre for Marine Renewable Energy (UKCMER) is a virtual centre, funded under RCUK's Energy Programmes SUPERGEN initiative. UKCMER seeks to coordinate research in renewable electricity generation using the power of the waves, tidal currents and floating wind turbines. The UKCMER core comprises of The University of Edinburgh (who coordinate the programme), Cranfield University, Exeter University, Strathclyde University and Swansea University. In addition to conducting a core research programme UKCMER acts as a hub to coordinate the activities of four additional Grand Challenge projects (EP/N021452/1, EP/N021487/1, EP/N020782/1 and EP/N02057X/1) looking at specific challenges for the marine energy sector.Research in the fourth phase of UKCMER will focus on: methods to enhance the performance of tidal turbines that recognise that arrays of machines are affected by both the interactions of the water flowing passed the devices and the electrical infrastructure which collects the energy generated and sends it to the grid. The development of design tools to assist in the optimal design of wave energy converters, tidal turbines and floating wind turbines that account for the random nature of both the waves and turbulence in the marine environment. Methods to explore the response of wave energy converters, tidal turbines and floating wind turbines to extreme loading events, recognising that such events arise from a combination of steep (rather than large waves) and the state of the device when the waves reach it. Examining how the wakes of tidal turbines deployed in farms interact with each other so that the power production from the farm can be optimised. And finally, how new designs and materials can improve the structural integrity of offshore renewable energy converters. The research programme has been designed to be complementary to the existing grand challenge projects and will make use of early results from these projects.UKCMER leads the UK's international outreach activities and has developed strong links to programmes in Chile, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the USA which will be further strengthened under this grant. UKCMER staff continue to contribute to standardisation activities of the IEC helping to develop the 62600 series of international standards and contributing to the work of the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC) and the International Ships and Offshore Structures Congress (ISSC).
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 01/03/19