Efficient ‘whole-life’ anchoring systems for offshore floating renewables

About the project

This PhD offers you the opportunity to tackle the urgent real-world challenge of developing efficient deep water anchoring systems for offshore floating renewable energy infrastructure. You will also have the opportunity to work as part of a vibrant research group focused on a range of offshore engineering challenges, and engage with a range of industry partners.

Decarbonisation of our energy supply to meet UK and international Net Zero targets by 2050 requires rapid expansion of the offshore renewable energy industry. New, efficient and reliable anchoring systems are needed to support future floating offshore renewable energy infrastructure which will operate further from shore in deeper waters, where high energy wind resources are located. The emerging concept of ‘whole-life’ geotechnical behaviour is also unlocking new anchoring design approaches. Whole-life changes in seabed strength during the system life offer the potential for new design efficiencies.

In this PhD research project, you will develop new concepts for the anchoring design of floating renewable facilities, harnessing beneficial ‘whole-life’ responses of the seabed. You will undertake physical (element and model centrifuge scale) experiments, taking advantage of the Geomechanics Laboratory and Geotechnical Centrifuge Facilities on Boldrewood Innovation Campus.

You will use the experimental data to develop numerical models of more efficient anchor behaviour. In addition, you will integrate the anchor response into existing mooring-floater models to capture the connected and improved full-floating response of offshore floating renewable energy devices.

This PhD project forms part of the activities of the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship held by Dr Kwa. You will join the Centre of Excellence for Intelligent and Resilient Ocean Engineering (IROE), supported through the Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies scheme.

You will have access to the EPSRC Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, providing you with a team of diverse and energetic researchers to become part of. The project will enable you to develop your engineering skills in geomechanics and collaborate with industry.

The outcomes of this project are expected to be taken up by the offshore renewable energy sector and therefore have direct impact on the industry by improving anchor and full-floating system design methods.

Lead supervisor

• Lead supervisor: Dr Katherine Kwa BEng, PhD Senior Research Fellow

Dr Katherine Kwa BEng, PhD

• Dr Katherine Kwa BEng, PhD: Senior Research Fellow

Professor Dave White PhD (Cantab), FREng, FICE, FTSE, FRINA, FIEAust

• Offshore renewable energy - wind, tidal and wave
• Geotechnical modelling of foundations, anchoring systems and subsea cables
• Site characterisation - in situ and laboratory testing

Professor Susan Gourvenec FREng, FICE, FWES, PhD, BEng

• Professor Susan Gourvenec FREng, FICE, FWES, PhD, BEng: Professor of Offshore Geotechnical Engineering

Entry requirements

A UK First class or high 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent , in civil engineering or a related discipline, and an enthusiasm for further study in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering.

Fees and funding

For UK students, tuition fees and a stipend of £18,622 tax-free each year for up to 3.5 years.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

Applications should include:

• choose programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• choose PhD in Engineering and the Environment (Full time)
• add name of the supervisor (Katherine Kwa) in section 2
• your cv (resumé)
• 2 reference letters
• degree transcripts to date

Faculty of engineering and physical sciences

Email: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

Project leader

For an initial conversation, email Dr Katherine Kwa (k.a.kwa@soton.ac.uk) .

Research areas