Supergen Marine - Core
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Energy Systems
Abstract
The UK Engineering and Physical Science Council (EPSRC) funded research consortium, Supergen Marine (1), which consisted of the University of Edinburgh; Heriot-Watt University; The University of Lancaster; The University of Strathclyde and the Robert Gordon University, has, since October 2003, been undertaking cutting edge research in support of the developing marine renewables industry. The consortium, which has been modified to include The Queen's University Belfast and the move of key members of the Robert Gordon University Marine Energy Group to the University of Edinburgh, is now bidding for continued support from the research council. The aims of the original Supergen marine research programme primarily related to enhancing understanding of the location, extent and characteristics of the marine energy resources. This was on a 3-10 year horizon, and is still valid. However, research priorities have evolved to recognise experiences and questions arising from early tests, the deployment of prototype devices and the outcomes of the original work programme. The overall aim, while still generic, has evolved and is now directed, in the revised research programme, towards increasing understanding of the device-sea interactions of energy converters from model-scale in the laboratory to full size in the open sea. The programme includes work on: device arrays and how these will influence local and regional environmental conditions; radical design approaches, which take into account new philosophies of design guidance; ensuring that numerical and physical design support is consistent and robust; the challenges posed by design in mixed tidal and wave environments; system control in complex non linear and evolving environments; the complex challenges posed by fixing, mooring and recovery of marine systems; the economic challenges posed by the variable and intermittent nature of the marine resource; the sparse information available to predict and assess the long term reliability of marine energy systems and how an increased understanding of all of these issues can be best disseminated within the stakeholder community.
Organisations
Publications
Shek J
(2010)
Experimental verification of linear generator control for direct drive wave energy conversion
in IET Renewable Power Generation
Watanabe Y
(2008)
Free-surface flows under impacting droplets
in Journal of Computational Physics
Wilson I
(2011)
Grid-connected renewables, storage and the UK electricity market
in Renewable Energy
Ortega J
(2009)
Hilbert-Huang transform analysis of storm waves
in Applied Ocean Research
Harrison G
(2008)
Hybrid GA and OPF evaluation of network capacity for distributed generation connections
in Electric Power Systems Research
Neill S
(2012)
Impact of tidal energy converter (TEC) arrays on the dynamics of headland sand banks
in Renewable Energy
Johanning L
(2008)
Improved measurement technologies for floating wave energy converter (WEC) mooring arrangements
in Underwater Technology
Bailey H
(2011)
Influence of a quadratic power take-off on the behaviour of a self-contained inertial referenced wave energy converter
in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part M: Journal of Engineering for the Maritime Environment
Description | The findings and output of this, now closed, second phase of SuperGen Marine are fully documented in the monograph that the research team produced at the conclusion, and on the SuperGen Marine website, from which the monograph may be downloaded. |
Exploitation Route | The work of the consortium has influenced technology, policy, standards, regulation and practice. |
Sectors | Energy |
URL | https://www.supergen-marine.org.uk/ |
Description | The findings of this project have influenced policy, standards, regulation and practice in the marine energy sector. |
First Year Of Impact | 2007 |
Sector | Energy,Environment |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £237,809 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F062583/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2008 |
End | 09/2009 |