Process-based modelling of long-term morphological impacts from offshore marine renewable energy installations

Description

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Net Zero Maritime Energy solutions (N0MES) has a 4-year funded PhD place available for an exceptional researcher. With the support of the University of Liverpool (UoL), Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and 33 maritime energy sector partners, N0MES PGRs will pursue new, engineering-centred, interdisciplinary research to address four vital net zero challenges currently facing the North West, the UK and beyond:

a) Energy generation using maritime-based renewable energy (e.g. offshore wind, tidal, wave, floating solar, hydrogen, CCS);

b) Distributing energy from offshore to onshore, including port- and hinterland-side impacts and opportunities;

c) Addressing the short- and long-term environmental impacts of offshore and maritime

environment renewable energy generation, distribution and storage; and

d) Decommissioning and lifetime extension of existing energy and facilities.

To achieve the targeted net zero emissions by 2050 and ensure stable energy supply for the UK, numerous marine renewable energy initiatives have been proposed as integral components of the integrated energy strategy, such as offshore wind farms and tidal stream turbine arrays. However, the deployment of such large-scale installations is poised to induce long-term morphological changes, both near field and far field, due to the large spatial coverage and long lifespan. Unfortunately, the existing methods for long-term morphological modelling remain unsatisfactory due to several key aspects that are still poorly understood, including adequate representation of these devices in the model, proper input forcing reduction to include perturbation frequencies from these renewable energy installation and model aggregation over the operational period. Furthermore, understanding the underlying mechanisms of interaction between renewable installations and the natural marine environment is vital for effectively representing these structures in a typical behaviour-based coastal management tool.

The present research aims to bridge these knowledge gaps by developing a novel algorithm for long-term morphological modelling of offshore renewable energy structures. Through multiple PhD projects, an efficient representation method has been developed using in-house morphological models to simulate short-term operations of large-scale offshore wind farms (in collaboration with EDF R&D) and tidal stream turbine farms at real coastal sites in the UK. This proposed research will build upon these advancements and extend them to long-term simulations in a systematic manner. Initially, the model's sensitivity to process removal and input forcing will be examined for medium-term periods using model order reduction techniques. Subsequently, different levels of "aggregation" will be explored for medium to long-term scenarios to determine the optimal representation of renewable installation and coastal process interactions. These findings will then be tested within a behaviour-based model to assess its efficacy in long-term predictions. Not only will these findings illuminate the fundamental mechanisms of renewable energy installation and coastal process interactions amid a changing climate, but they will also yield a practical tool to confront the significant challenge of offshore renewable energy expansion in the future.

We want all of our staff and Students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, If you have a disability you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result.

We believe everyone deserves an excellent education and encourage students from all backgrounds and personal circumstances to apply.

Applicant Eligibility

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent from a reputable University in an appropriate field of Engineering. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field will also be considered.

Application Process

Candidates wishing to apply should complete the University of Liverpool application form [How to apply for a PhD - University of Liverpool] applying for a PhD in Civil Engineering and uploading: Degree Certificates & Transcripts, an up-to-date CV, two academic references and a supporting statement [maximum 300 words] detailing; what inspires you within this project, how your skill set matches the project, up to 3 examples showing your commitment so science, piece of science that excites you & anything else to support your application.

Candidates wishing to discuss the research project should contact the primary supervisor mingli@liverpool.ac.uk , those wishing to discuss the application process should discuss this with the CDT Manager Matt Fulton [n0mescdt@liverpool.ac.uk].