PhD Studentship: Future-Proofing Offshore Wind-Hydrogen Systems: A Holistic Assessment Ensuring Safety, Environmental Responsibility, and Economic Viability Throughout the Lifecycle

Supervised by Rasa Remenyte-Prescott and Rundong (Derek) Yan (Resilience Engineering, Faculty of Engineering)

Aim: To develop a mathematical modelling framework to assess and optimise offshore wind-hydrogen system (OWHS) designs, operation regimes, operation & maintenance strategies, and end-of-life strategies, which result in a safe, environmentally friendly, and highly economical energy system.

Background

The growing frequency of devastating floods, wildfires, and heatwaves across the world alerts us that we are running out of time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Offshore wind has been identified as the most scalable of the UK’s bulk renewable technologies and will be a key part of the UK’s energy mix to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and mitigate the impact of climate change. However, since wind energy is an intermittent source, it poses a challenge as to how to effectively utilise it. Energy storage technologies have become one of the main fields of study to exploit and utilise renewable resources as much as possible. Among various energy storage systems (ESSs), green hydrogen produced by electrolysis using electricity from renewable energy is seen as a critical enabler of the global transition to sustainable energy and net zero emissions economies. Wind-generated green hydrogen has great potential to provide a long-term energy storage alternative to match temporary and geographical energy demand and supply from clean sources. However, with the deployment of offshore wind farms further away from the coast, if we want to use wind energy to produce hydrogen, how to ensure its safety and minimise environmental impact during production, storage, and transportation of hydrogen while maximising its economic return has become an unavoidable issue.

Proposed project

The proposed project will be based on simulation and analysis of innovative OWHS designs, novel O&M strategies, and potential end-of-life strategies, along with potential changes in not only the marine environment, governmental guidance and regulations, operating conditions, and production needs, but also potential location restrictions, wildlife habitats, sea fishing areas, residential living areas, and other critical factors. This research can provide an effective tool to comprehensively assess and optimise the safety, environmental, and economic aspects of future OWHSs. 

Such a methodology can provide key knowledge for the deployment of future OWFs and Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Transportation Systems (HPSTSs) and the integration of HPSTSs into currently existing offshore wind farms. It will be able to lower the cost of offshore wind power and eliminate the major public concerns and create a good working and living environment for local people and other stakeholders (e.g. fishing communities), thereby further accelerating the sustainable and healthy development of offshore wind.

Summary: Open to UK/EU/overseas students. Look for funding sources at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/funding/postgraduate-funding.aspx 

Entry Requirements: Starting October 2024, we require an enthusiastic graduate with a 1st class degree in engineering, computer science, maths, or a relevant discipline, at integrated Master’s level or with a relevant MSc (in exceptional circumstances a 2:1 degree can be considered). 

For any enquiries about the project and the funding please email Rundong (Derek) Yan (rundong.yan@nottingham.ac.uk) 

This studentship is open until filled. Early application is strongly encouraged.

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