Reducing the Costs of Marine Renewables via Advanced Structural Materials (ReC-ASM)

For marine renewable energy conversion to achieve a much needed step change in cost reduction, whilst proving to be cost effective and a reliable source for electricity supply, a number of major engineering challenges need to be addressed. The biggest challenge relates to the scaling up of the power capture interface (device level) and new approaches to the station keeping system (physical environment) which in turn is governed by the characteristics of the resource. In order to achieve technology cost reduction, it is envisaged that the development of marine renewable will emulate the development practices adopted in the early days of the wind energy industry and embark on building and deploying larger diameter rotors to increase device capacity and through this deliver lower unit costs. The challenge however relates to managing the resulting consequences on structural loadings. These increase with the square of the diameter of rotors/ power capture interface. As such, this approach will result in the materials used in the power capture interface operating under very high loading conditions.Evidence to date indicates that all large horizontal axis rotor systems greater than 15m diameter, which have been deployed in full scale tidal environments, have succumbed to catastrophic rotor blade failure. Hence, there is a serious Materials challange in developing more robust materials for the operating environment. By combining expertise in Tidal Energy and Materials Science, this project aims to tackle this issue, through a combination of laboratory testing and modelling.

ReC-ASM brings together key expertise in marine renewables modelling and materials / structural testing for innovative and high quality research that would provide outputs that enable a wide range of UK Industry to remain competitive. For example, the Artley and Matthews report for the UK Surface Engineering Association in 2010 shows that the UK manufacturing industry expends over £10.8bn on coatings and surface treatments that affect products worth £140bn in industrial sectors worth £250bn to UK economy. Total turnover for the UK Maritime sector was £56bn and directly employs 410,000 people and at least that many indirectly in 2007, [1] with shipping related business being £13.2bn. This makes the UK activity the largest maritime sector in Europe, [2].

The drive behind the global activities in renewable energy stems from the need to reduce emissions, achieve some level of security of supply and economic growth (the generation of new industries, jobs etc.). Many countries are offering incentives to its industry to allow their governments to reach specific targets that will not only aid emission reduction requirements but also help in achieving the security of supply goals. The EU for instance, has a mandatory 20% target for energy production from renewable resources by 2020, with a UK's share negotiated at 15%. Furthermore, the UK missed its own national target of achieving 10% of its electricity production by 2010. As a result of the experience with the latter and to avoid missing the EU mandatory and new UK Government legislative targets, there is now a huge emphasis in expanding off-shore wind generated electricity. In offshore wind development, the UK is currently the leading market in the world, with a total installed operational capacity of around 700MW, over 1,000MW under construction and a further 3,500MW has been approved or consented. The UK legislative process for this technology is to embark on specific targeted competitive calls or "rounds" to develop potential sites around the UK. The last call "round 3" is estimated to develop a 32,200MW of capacity by 2020 and represents an investment of around £100bn from developers (private sector). Electricity from offshore wind can be augmented by other marine resources. The oceans around the world (and specifically around the UK) offer large renewable energy resources that are yet to be tapped. Wave and tidal energy although only representing a part of the total ocean energy, are recognised as a suitable resource for sustainable generation of electrical power.

ReC-ASM research will have potential to make a significant impact on the UK economy and its competitiveness. The grant also has high potential to create novel ideas that can be patented or used to spin-out companies. The outputs from the grant will constantly monitored by the partner universities Research and Innovation Services for potential IP or areas to establish knowledge transfer where appropriate.