De-risking structural loading calculations for marine Renewable Energy Devices
Lead Research Organisation:
Scottish Association For Marine Science
Department Name: Contracts Office
Abstract
The large scale deployment of Marine Renewable Energy devices capable on converting natural energy into electrical energy is set to increase significantly in coming years. The United Kingdom is well placed to extract large quantities of marine renewable energy offering large economic incentives. To exploit this opportunity engineers and developers must overcome some considerable challenges, not the least of which is biofouling.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Adrian Macleod (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
| Description | We used data collected from a separate project (SupperGen funnded PHD) which described biofouling on a large number of off-shore environments (navigation Buoys). This data was used to explore methods to better understand biofouling characteristics (weight, thickness and roughness) using standard monitoring tools (ROV video). We achived this objective focusing on methods to predict the density of material from species type. We then explored the sensitivity of changing different biofouling characteristics on an large mooring. This work has lead to further contract work with the oil and gas industry to assess the impact of biofouling on moorings and risers for better prediction of the impact of fouling and assessment maintenance activities. |
| Exploitation Route | Recommendations have been made in a peer reviewed publication http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08927014.2015.1136822 |
| Sectors | Energy |
| URL | http://www.nerc.ac.uk/innovation/activities/infrastructure/offshore/internship-report-adrian-macleod/ |
| Description | The findings of this project have supported SAMS in the delivery of biofouling assessments to a range of clients in the oil and gas industry. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
| Sector | Energy |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Collaboration between PML and SAMS |
| Organisation | Plymouth Marine Laboratory |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I used data from my PHD to investigate it and other approached for use in commercial scale projects. |
| Collaborator Contribution | PML made an In-Kind contribution providing staff time and facilities to undertake this work. |
| Impact | We are continuing to submit proposals to further this work. |
| Start Year | 2013 |