Efficient ‘Whole-life’ anchoring systems for offshore floating renewables
Katherine Kwa (Infrastructure), David White (Infrastructure) and Susan Gourvenec (Infrastructure)
This PhD offers you the opportunity to tackle the urgent real-world challenge of developing efficient anchoring systems for offshore floating renewable energy infrastructure. Decarbonisation of our energy supply to meet 2050 Net Zero targets requires rapid expansion of the offshore renewable energy industry. New, efficient and reliable anchoring systems are needed to support future floating offshore renewable energy infrastructure which will operate further from shore in deeper waters, where high energy wind resources are located. The emerging concept of ‘whole-life’ geotechnical behaviour also unlocks new anchoring design approaches. Whole-life changes in seabed strength during the system life offers the potential for new design efficiencies.
In this PhD research project, you will develop new concepts for the anchoring design of floating renewable facilities, harnessing beneficial ‘whole-life’ responses of the seabed. You will undertake experiments, taking advantage of the Geomechanics Laboratory and Geotechnical Centrifuge Facilities on Boldrewood Innovation Campus. You will use the experimental data to develop numerical models of more efficient anchor behaviour and you will integrate the anchor response into existing mooring-floater models to capture the connected and improved full-floating response of offshore floating renewable energy devices.
This PhD project forms part of the activities of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) Research Fellowship held by Dr Kwa. You will join the Centre of Excellence for Intelligent and Resilient Ocean Engineering supported through the RAEng Chair in Emerging Technologies scheme and have access to the EPSRC Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub, providing you with a team of diverse researchers to become part of. The project will enable you to develop your engineering skills in geomechanics and collaborate with industry. The outcomes of this project are expected to be taken up by the offshore renewable energy sector and have impact on the industry by improving anchor and full-floating system design methods.
PhD project focus
Eligibility: A First class or high 2:1 Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline with enthusiasm for further study in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering is required. Applicants will need to be eligible for UK fees.
Start date: October 2023
Application deadline: 30th June 2023
CIVIL, MARITIME
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
University of Southampton
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Contact us:
+44(0)23 8059 5000
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University of Southampton
University Road
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
United Kingdom
CIVIL, MARITIME
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
University of Southampton
Explore our website:
Contact us:
+44(0)23 8059 5000
+44(0)23 8059 3131
University of Southampton
University Road
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
United Kingdom
© 2020 Civil, Maritime and Environmental Engineering Department
© 2020 Civil, Maritime and Environmental Engineering Department