PhD Studentship – WEDUSEA

As the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) industry moves further offshore to resource rich waters, optimal design strategies of such floating technologies are challenged. This is due to a lack of understanding of the loading environment on these novel structures. Currently, this leads to significant risk being associated with pilot and demonstration ORE projects. This risk is translated into potentially uneconomic overdesign of some elements increasing the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) generated or even worse under design of critical components that may lead to failure. This research aims to bridge this gap in two critical components of a floating wave energy device, the mooring system and the hull integrity. The programme of investigation will utilise model testing at the Lir National Test Facility, Numerical modelling and real data from a full-scale deployment of the OE 35, a 1 MW demonstration oscillating water column wave energy device.

The successful candidate will be a researcher on the €15million Horizon Europe WEDUSEA project (https://wedusea.eu/). WEDUSEA led by Irish Wave Energy Developer, Ocean Energy, is a project that will demonstrate a grid connected 1MW OE35 floating wave energy converter (known as the OE Buoy) at the European Marine Energy Test Site (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland. This rigorous technical and environmental demonstration will happen over a 2-year period in Atlantic wave conditions with outcomes directly impacting policy, technical standards, public perception and investor confidence. The successful candidate will contribute to the design and implementation of structural monitoring of the hull and mooring systems while utilising the data generated during the deployment to validated numerical models, leading on the calibration and validation of the fully dynamic mooring simulation and inform on load and fatigue predictions.

MaREI is a key research centre within UCC’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI), which is an internationally recognised Institute for environmental research dedicated to the understanding and protection of our natural environment and to developing innovative technologies, tools and services to facilitate a transformation to a zero carbon and resource efficient society. The MaREI Centre is an SFI funded research centre headquartered in the ERI and includes 13 other Universities and Third Level Institutes from across Ireland, has 50 industrial partners and has accumulated research funding of approximately €60m. It combines the expertise of a wide range of research groups and industry partners, with the shared mission of solving the main scientific, technical and socio-economic challenges across the climate, energy and marine spaces.  MaREI is also funded by SEAI, EI, EPA, ERDF, EU, HEA, Marine Institute, DCCAE and IRC, as well as through contributions from our industry partners. Researchers in the MaREI Centre have over 30 years of experience in conducting fundamental and applied research supported by competitively won national and international funding, and commercial contracts with government agencies and industry. MaREI’s strengths lie in the multi-disciplinary nature of its research teams, allowing it to combine insights across areas such as MRE Technologies, Materials & Structures, Observations & Operations, Coastal & Marine Systems, Bioenergy, Energy Policy & Modelling and Renewable Energy Management

The primary duties for the post will include supporting the integration of sensors for monitoring the  OE Buoy, Digital Twin Creation, FEA modelling, hydrodynamic analysis, wave tank testing, collaboration with industry partners and project co-ordination, contribution to WEDUSEA project deliverables. Publishing of papers in high-ranking academic journals will be a high priority.

The following are the primary desirable candidate criteria:

• Minimum 2H1 (second class honours, grade 1) honours degree, or equivalent in undergraduate or master’s degree in engineering, Instrumentation or similar discipline
• Strong engineering and analytical skills
• Excellent undergraduate grades
• Some computer modelling skills would be advantageous.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English is essential.
• Excellent English academic writing skills
• Excellent communication, organisation, and interpersonal skills
• Aptitude for taking initiative and working independently.
• Demonstrable capability of working within a project team and ability to innovate.

Please email:

1. Short cover letter (max 1 page) describing your motivation for applying for the position and how your experience and expertise match the research topic.

AND

1. Your CV, including lists of relevant courses taken, research/industry projects performed, relevant experience and any publications.

Email the above to Michael O’Shea, ei.ccu@aehsoleahcim  Lecturer, Discipline of Civil Engineering, quoting “WEDUSEA PhD” in the subject line on or before the closing date for applications – 29^th February 2024.