Posts tagged ocean — Applied Fluid Mechanics Group documentation

Satellite data for the offshore renewable energy sector: Synergies and innovation opportunities

Our input regarding the use of satellite data for marine energy schemes has been used in a recent review on the use of satellite data for offshore renewable energy. The study, led by Dr Encarni Medina-Lopez and published in Remote Sensing of the Environment, was conducted in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde and other institutions as part of the ORE Supergen Flexi-fund project SCORE.

Research contributions at MARINE 2021

Recent progress on our research was presented by Lucas Mackie and Joe Wallwork at MARINE 2021, demonstrating our recent insight on the assessment of tidal range schemes, and the use of mesh-adaptive methods on characterising the output of turbines in tidal stream arrays.

Research contributions at IAHR 2020

Recent progress on our research was presented by Lucas Mackie and Anastasia Fragkou at IAHR 2020, demonstrating our recent insight on the calibration of coastal ocean models, and the simulation of 3-D processes associated with plumes from desalination plants.

Tidal range resource of Australia

Our tidal range energy operational modelling has been applied to assess the available tidal range energy resource around Australia. The study, led by Prof Simon Neill and published in Renewable Energy, was conducted in collaboration with the Bangor School of Ocean Sciences, and the Oceans and Atmpsphere Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation at Hobart in Australia.

Modelling an energetic tidal strait: investigating implications of common numerical configuration choices

Our latest study for 2021 published in the Applied Ocean Research journal documents our recent work on the calibration of coastal ocean models for tidal energy sites. The work was led by Lucas Mackie, in collaboration with Prof Matthew Piggott from Imperial College London, Dr Paul Evans from Intertek Energy & Water, Dr Magnus Harrold from the ORE Catapult and Prof Tim O’Doherty from Cardiff University. The study uses observed data from the Ramsey Sound in Wales and we are examining how well a depth-averaged model can reproduce the conditions, before dismissing results on the grounds of 3-D limitations.

The potential for tidal range energy systems to provide continuous power: a UK case study

A study published in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering on our recent work on the operation capabilities of tidal range energy systems. The work was led by Lucas Mackie, in collaboration with Daniel Coles from Plymouth University and Matthew Piggott from Imperial College London. The study refines our tidal power plant optimisation framework to consider multiple schemes cooperating to maximise the value of the overall tidal range system. The study highlights the potential but also the limitations of the technology due to the nature of the resource

Modelling the impact of tidal range energy on species communities

A study published in Ocean & Coastal Management expands on our recent ecohydraulics applications. The work was conducted jointly with researchers led by Dr Jon Hill from the University of York. The study employs our estuarine modelling to extract information that can be correlated with the behavior of sensitive marine species. A machine learning technique (MaxEnt) is in turn applied to predict changes in their habitat distribution.

On the potential of linked-basin tidal power plants: An operational and coastal modelling assessment

Our recent work on the operational modelling and the optimisation of linked-basin tidal energy systems has now been published in Renewable Energy. The work was a result of a joint effort with researchers of the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London.

Tidal range energy resource assessment of the Gulf of California, Mexico

Our tidal range energy modelling has been applied to assess the available tidal range energy resource in the Gulf of California. The study, published in Renewable Energy, was conducted in collaboration with the National Oceanographic Centre, and the Bangor School of Ocean Sciences.

Tidal energy research conference contributions at EWTEC 2019

Recent progress on tidal range energy income optimisation was presented by Lucas Mackie at EWTEC 2019, demonstrating interesting interactions amongst tidal power plants, as detailed in the conference paper. Lucas also presented a poster on his research regarding the optimisation of tidal range power plant operation. It was presented at the University of Oxford’s Tidal Energy Workshop.

Tidal range structure operation assessment and optimisation

A publication is now available on the assessment of tidal range structure operations at Dams and Reservoirs. It highlights that operation optimisation using simplified models is mostly accurate for small schemes, as the larger impact on tidal dynamics invalidates simplified model assumptions.