How will the next generation of large floating tidal turbines behave when the platform itself deforms, waves and currents interact, and turbine loading changes with platform motion? This PhD will investigate these coupled effects to develop improved approaches for the design and assessment of reliable and efficient floating tidal energy systems.

Floating platforms have the potential to enable tidal turbines to be deployed in deeper and more challenging locations, while offering advantages in installation, access and maintenance. However, as floating platforms and turbines increase in size, structural flexibility and its interaction with waves, tidal currents and turbine loading become increasingly important.

The project will investigate the coupled interaction between platform flexibility, hydrodynamic loading and tidal turbine forces. Particular attention will be given to hydroelastic deformation of large floating platforms and how this affects structural response, platform motions and turbine performance. Conversely, platform motion and deformation can alter the loading experienced by the turbine, creating a coupled fluid–structure–turbine problem.

The research will also examine combined wave–current conditions and site-specific environmental characteristics, helping to establish when hydroelastic and coupled effects need to be considered in the engineering design of floating tidal turbine systems.

Research approach

The project will combine marine hydrodynamics, structural dynamics and numerical modelling. Depending on the development of the research, the work may include:

• hydrodynamic and hydroelastic modelling of floating platforms
• structural and finite-element modelling
• coupled fluid-structure-turbine simulations
• time-domain analysis of platform motions and structural loads
• investigation of wave-current interactions and site conditions
• development and validation of computationally efficient engineering models.

The research will aim to develop improved modelling approaches and provide recommendations for the design and assessment of large floating tidal turbine platforms.

What we offer

The PhD will be based within NAOME at the University of Strathclyde, an internationally recognised research environment spanning marine hydrodynamics, marine structures, ocean engineering and offshore renewable energy.

The successful candidate will develop expertise in hydrodynamics, hydroelasticity, structural dynamics, numerical modelling and floating renewable energy systems, with access to the wider research environment and facilities of the University.

Regular meetings with the supervisory team are expected, with flexible and hybrid working possible depending on research requirements and progress.

Further information

1. Arredondo-Galeana, A., Chen, Y., Dai, S., Zhang, X., & Brennan, F. (2025). Hinged connected platforms for floating tidal turbines. Proceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, 16. 
2. Arredondo-Galeana, A., Chen, Y., Dai, S., Zhang, X., & Brennan, F. (2026). Experimental motion and load comparison of rigidly and hinged connected very large floating platforms. Journal of Ocean Engineering and Science, 11(1), 222-237. 
3. Wu, H., Liao, B., & Yuan, Z. (2026). Hydroelastic analysis of a VLFS under wave-current interactions. Ships and Offshore Structures, 1–17.