Dr Katherine Kwa
Research Fellow in Offshore Renewable Energy

Katherine Kwa is a Research Fellow in Offshore Renewable Energy at the University of Southampton and part of the Infrastructure Geotechnics group within Engineering and Physical Sciences.
I am working on improving the foundation design of offshore, floating renewable energy structures, such as wind turbines, wave and tidal energy devices. In particular, I am using my background in geotechnical engineering to model and gain a better understanding of the 'whole life' response of soft soils around embedded anchor and mooring systems. These systems enable floating renewable energy facilities to operate further offshore, in deeper waters where stronger energy resources can be harnessed.
My role is funded by The Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies in Intelligent & Resilient Ocean Engineering and the EPSRC Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Supergen Hub. The Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies for Intelligent & Resilient Ocean Engineering drives activities to create a step change in ocean engineering design to support responsible, sustainable and economic use of ocean resources. The Supergen ORE Hub aims to connect academia, industry, policy and public stakeholders and inspire innovation to maximise societal value in offshore wind, wave and tidal energy.