Renewable Energy from Wind, Wave and Tide

Learning Outcomes

• Overview of Environmental Energy Extraction Techniques: wind, wave and current • Survey of existing devices: what is in use, where are they located, operational issues, likely developments • Dynamics of Ocean (wave statistics and associated energy, interaction of tide on currents, geostrophic phenomena, local bathymetry • Dynamics of Atmosphere: overview of process of surface shear generating boundary layers, thermal effects giving rise to global weather systems, local wind profiles and methods of calculating influence of surface roughness on profiles, wind gradients, turbulence levels. • Suitable sites: use of energy density surveys, measuring devices for specific sites, calculating annual yield, fluctuations in supply, use of probabilistic techniques. • Analysis techniques: Blade element momentum theory for wind/wave - horizontal axis, vertical axis, uses of ducts, controllable vs fixed pitch, coastal wave, tidal lagoons, floating wave energy devices. turbines for low and high head systems. Matching power to generator system. Use of more advanced CFD. • Environmental Loading: Possible support structures, foundations, piles, moorings. Loads on device itself -centripetal, environmental, fatigue, noise generation. • Structural Response: How device and support structure respond to applied loads - motions in wave, necessary sizing for components, issues of maintainability, installation, operational. Classification and certification. • GW scale devices: Array performance for wind, wave and tidal systems. Interaction effects. Effects on costs and installation processes as well as operational /maintenance issues. Fixed vs floating platforms • Environmental Impact, Societal Interactions and Safety: What are the issues for specific site, planning permission process, managing public understanding, EIA, mitigating negative impacts on wildlife etc, operational safety.

Teaching methods include • Lectures and tutorials including industry lectures. • Computer design laboratories and use of the Boldrewood 138 m long towing tank laboratory to study wave energy devices. • Blackboard based studies. Learning activities include • Directed reading. • Analytical assignments on design of offshore wind farm, a formative laboratory assessment of wave energy device at model and full scale (formative), and one on of performance of array of tidal turbines. • Access to web-based materials.