Presentations

The wind, tidal and hydro-power research projects were presented as a group in one single session. You can download a PDF of the combined presentations.

Projects

Wind Load Analysis and Design of Offshore HVDC Platforms

Student: Jose Ortiz de Lanzagorta Gonzalez
Supervisor(s): Dr Johannes Spinneken (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Poster: #7 Download PDF

After the most cost effective locations in the UK for offshore wind have been occupied, the offshore wind industry is expected to go further offshore. In order to reduce the large cost for electricity transmission in such long distances, the offshore wind industry is expected to rely on high voltage direct current (HVDC). However, the implementation of HVDC is currently being limited by the large capital cost of the converters and the offshore converter platform. This thesis analyses a key load on the converter platform, the wind drag. It calculates the wind load on the platform using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and optimises the platform topside in order to reduce the drag.

Modelling wind power production using reanalysis data: comparison of methodologies and application to a hybrid wind/hydrogen system in the UK

Student: Pantelis Stefas
Supervisor(s): Dr Iain Staffell (Imperial College Business School)
Poster: #8 Download PDF

Wind energy constitutes a major contributor to future low carbon economies. The temporo-spatial understanding of wind yield is a prerequisite for the precise planning of the energy system, requiring prediction models capable of capturing the wind diversity. The aim of this project is to develop accurate numerical wind power prediction models using high-resolution ‘reanalysis’ data from NASA. Ultimately, this model would be implemented to conduct a techno-economic assessment to determine the ideal allocation of investments to facilitate optimal hydrogen production and transmission network reinforcement in the UK. This should provide insight into the future development requirements of the UK energy market.

Use of Wind Power Sources to Generate Hydrogen: Assessing Potential to Reduce Cost of Electricity

Student: Yang Yu
Supervisor(s): Dr Niall Mac Dowell (Centre for Environmental Policy), Dr John Blamey (Department of Chemical Engineering)
Poster: #9 Download PDF

The development of renewable energy has been expanding over the years. The existing power network is not flexible enough to absorb most of the wind power generated, which is highly intermittent and fluctuating. Large-scale energy storage is needed to avoid grid congestion and wind power curtailment. Power-to-Gas technology produces hydrogen through water electrolysis. The excessive electricity can be consumed by electrolysers, which store the energy in the form of hydrogen and do not emit greenhouse gases on site. This project focuses on the modelling and dynamic operation of the electrolyser. It also looks into the potential and current development of Power-to-Gas technology.

The effect of environmental conditions on tidal turbine blade loading and predicted power output

Student: Hamish Laing
Supervisor(s): Dr Johannes Spinneken (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Poster: #10 Download PDF

In order to decarbonise the electricity sector the use of renewable energy will need to grow considerably. One such renewable source is tidal stream energy which has the advantage of being predictable due to the nature of the tides. Tidal stream turbines are in the early stages of development and one of the greatest opportunities to reduce costs is in design. Robust design will reduce the potential for failure and maintenance which are a major cost factor. This project investigates how environmental modelling for tidal current, waves and turbulence affects the loading on tidal turbine blades and in turn the predicted power output.

Hydroelectricity for Energy Security: Potential impacts of future developments on the Indus River System, Pakistan

Student: Jehan Naz Saifullah-Khan
Supervisor(s): Dr Judith Cherni (Centre for Environmental Policy)
Poster: #11 Download PDF

Pakistan is suffering from a severe energy crisis and aims to exploit its abundant hydroelectric resource potential in order to provide affordable, clean and reliable energy to its population. This project aims to forecast the potential performance of planned hydroelectric mega projects on the Indus Basin System by analysing the policy, environmental, social, technical and financial elements involved and how they can influence development. The results will show the extent to which these mega projects will be able to provide energy security to the country.