Postgraduate research opportunities Hybrid Ocean Renewables in a Changing Climate

Extensive global coastlines specifically in tropical climates, present a unique opportunity for the development of Ocean Renewable Energy (ORE) systems. The project envisions the integration of these individual energy systems into a comprehensive hybrid ORE system.

This approach is crucial to optimise energy output, reduce intermittency, and create a resilient energy infrastructure. Various countries such as the United States, Australia, Japan, China, Portugal, Spain, and South Korea have considerable potential for offshore wind and wave energy due to their long coastlines and the coastal landscapes exposed to open ocean.

Furthermore, due to their relatively high solar irradiance, they have the potential to develop floating solar projects in their coastal areas. Available offshore wind and wave energies fluctuate intra-annually with the highest availability usually during the winter season due to its harsh weather conditions. Solar energy is, on the other hand, more available in warm seasons and hence can complement the energy mix.

Such a combination of ocean renewables and floating solar energy can contribute significantly to the sustainability of energy production considering their intra-annual (e.g., seasonal) variability. However, as well as inter and intra-annual variability, ocean renewable energy (particularly wind and wave energy) is highly affected by climate change.

Climate change will affect the mean ocean climate, which directly affects the amount of available energy from wind and wave, as change in temperature will change the wind patterns, and consequently, the wave climate. Moreover, climate change will affect extreme events (such as hurricanes, typhoons and storms) and hence the extreme wave characteristics.

This will directly affect the accessibility and availability of ocean resources and how the development of ocean renewables will interact with the change in extreme event patterns. Hence, climate change impact is required to be taken into account when detecting the suitable areas and technologies for harnessing energy from these resources.

Aims & objectives

1. Integration of Renewable Energy Systems: to efficiently integrate wind, wave, and solar energy systems, optimizing energy capture and storage.
2. Technical & Environmental Challenges: assess and address the challenges and impacts of deploying hybrid ORE systems, particularly in coastal and deep-sea regions.
3. Climate Change Impact Analysis: understand how climate change influences energy production, location suitability, and technology choices.

The project includes extensive research activities such as feasibility analysis, suitability assessments for energy production, and stakeholder engagement. The expected outcomes include comprehensive feasibility reports, redefined suitable locations for hybrid energy systems, policy recommendations, and pathways for local community involvement.

Further information

The studentship is due to commence in October 2024.