Overview

Context of Improving the Reliability and Economy of Anchors for Floating Offshore Wind Energy at University of Dundee

This will be done by developing a reliability-based risk assessment framework. The uncertainties arising from the site characterisation process and anchor capacity prediction models will be evaluated, respectively. Building on these, a comprehensive reliability-based risk analysis model will be developed for FOWT anchors.

The proposed research will reduce the level of conservatism that needs to be applied in the design process and thus help make FOWTs more affordable and commercially viable. This research will remove a major barrier to the wider deployment of offshore wind energy and contribute towards achieving the net zero carbon emissions target by 2050 and mitigating climate change effects.

Programme Structure

Offshore wind power is crucial for achieving the net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and improving local energy security. Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs), which are secured to the seabed with mooring lines and anchors, are necessary to tap into the more consistent and substantial offshore wind resources available in deeper water.
However, the geotechnical design of FOWT anchors is excessively conservative and thus prohibitively expensive due to the high levels of uncertainty that permeate the entire design process, including geotechnical site investigation and anchor capacity prediction models.

Sufficient site investigation is crucial to reduce uncertainty in ground conditions and seabed design properties, minimising risk to an acceptable level without being overconservative. However, this is lengthy and costly in offshore settings due to the lack of vessels and labs.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months
Part-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2025-05-01 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.
Starting 2025-09-16 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.
Starting 2026-01-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-10-31 00:00:00

Language

English

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Economics Energy Engineering Sustainable Energy View 22 other PhDs in Energy Engineering in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

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Other requirements

General requirements

We are seeking candidates who possess or are expected to achieve a first class/2.1 degree or an equivalent Master's level qualification in civil engineering, or general engineering (or a related subject). A strong enthusiasm for advancing a career in the offshore renewables sector is highly desired. Candidates with some background in coding and knowledge of geotechnics would have an added advantage
IELTS 6.5

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

26570 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 26570 GBP per year during 36 months.
National

4786 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 4786 GBP per year during 36 months.

Living costs for Dundee

787 - 1494 GBP /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.