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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
PI name & contact details:
School:
Professor Michael Hartnett
Dept Civil Engineering
National University of Ireland, Galway
Galway
Ireland
College of Engineering and Informatics
Has project been agreed with head (or
nominee) of proposed registration school?
YES
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Research group / centre website:
Ryan Institute (Environment, Marine & Energy)
Modelling and Informatics
http://www.ryaninstitute.ie/
PI website / link to CV:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/civileng/Staff/mikehartnett.html
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Dr. Hartnett is the Research Director of the Marine Modelling Centre. Activities within the centre include: deep
ocean water circulation modelling; estuarine and coastal circulation modelling; urban flood modelling; water
quality modelling; biological modelling; heavy metal modelling; wave climate modelling; data assimilation
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Marine Renewable Energy Capture Optimisation
Hypothesis under investigation and main aims: This research has two main aims:
Firstly, to undertake research into the feasibility of different types of tidal capture. Various devices
and systems are being developed for tidal energy capture, such as tidal turbines, tidal lagoons and
tidal gates. Research will be carried out to determine the most appropriate system for use in tidal
waters.
Secondly, research will be undertaken to develop optimum designs for the spatial configuration of
tidal farms. The longitudinal and lateral spacings of tidal turbines, for example, affect the efficiency
of energy capture and the economics of energy generation; very little research has been undertaken
in this field. It is proposed to study this in detail in this project.
Research strategy: The following strategy will be implemented during this research:
 NUIG are currently involved in an 2 EU funded marine research projects and so have access
to information pertaining to tidal energy capture devices. A review will be undertaken of
tidal energy capture devices, both existing devices and devices under development. A
review will also be conducted into the deployment of devices worldwide. Using numerical
models, tidal streams will be developed for all Irish coastal waters, based on existing models
at NUIG. The results from this analysis will be used to identify regions around the coast with
high potential for energy capture. Industry will provide information relating to feasibility of
connection to the national grid. Energy capture devices will be associated with possible
locations and in-depth modelling analysis will be undertaken to determine device suitability
and to quantify potential energy. A particular focus will be on the use of novel shallow
water tidal energy devices in estuaries; this has the potential for significant applications in
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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras

coastal waters.
There will be a strong experimental component to this research. The tidal basin at NUIG will
initially be used to investigate effects of variations in longitudinal and lateral spacings on
tidal energy devices. Subsequently, experiments will be designed and carried out in the
tidal basin to optimise the configuration of tidal turbine fields. Also, it is hoped to gain
access to MCT data collected at the first full scale deployment of a tidal turbine at
Carlingford Lough. Results from experimental data will be provide a feedback to improve
model predictions of tidal power availability.
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
The Ryan Institute has a number of unique selling points in relation to marine modelling:
We have a unique tidal basin and associated equipment for scale modelling
Ryan Institute operates a coastal radar system which allows us to undertake extensive model
validation and develop data assimilation techniques
We have developed a very good relationship with IBM Research Ireland and are being funded by
them.
We have very good experience in operational modelling and running code on high performance
computers.
We are currently a partner in 2 EU marine related projects and have extensive collaborations with
groups across Europe.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Civil Engineering ; Applied Mathematics
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
X
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences)
Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Sustainable Agricultural Production
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals, Minerals Technology
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters
Bioprospecting and Biodiversity
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders
arrangements):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): _ _Y___
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): ___N__
Suitable for either/Don’t know: _____
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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Basis for the research: Marine renewable energy is internationally considered to hold considerable
potential in contributing to sustainable power generation. In an Irish context, there is a considerable
length of coastline relative to our population and landmass, the sustainable exploitation of this
resource has become a national priority. State agencies, such as Sustainable Energy Ireland and the
Marine Institute, are implementing Government policy by encouraging research into wave and tidal
power; ESBI have recently announced details of a large investment into renewable energies. This
research project aims to contribute to national and international activities relating to tidal energy.
This research will integrate well into existing research projects being undertaken by the Marine
Modelling Group (MMG) at NUIG.
Hypothesis under investigation and main aims: This research has two main aims:
Firstly, to undertake research into the feasibility of different types of tidal capture technology for
Irish conditions. Various devices and systems are being developed for tidal energy capture, such as
tidal turbines, tidal lagoons and tidal gates. Research will be carried out to determine the most
appropriate system for use in Irish tidal waters.
Secondly, research will be undertaken to develop optimum designs for the spatial configuration of
tidal farms. The longitudinal and lateral spacings of tidal turbines, for example, affect the efficiency
of energy capture and the economics of energy generation; very little research has been undertaken
in this field. It is proposed to study this in detail in this project.
Research strategy: The following strategy will be implemented during this research:
 MMG are currently involved in an EU funded project and so have access to information
pertaining to tidal energy capture devices. A review will be undertaken of tidal energy
capture devices, both existing devices and devices under development. A review will also be
conducted into the deployment of devices worldwide. Using numerical models, tidal
streams will be developed for all Irish coastal waters, based on existing models at MMG.
The results from this analysis will be used to identify regions around the coast with high
potential for energy capture. ESBI will provide information relating to feasibility of
connection to the national grid. Energy capture devices will be associated with possible
locations and in-depth modelling analysis will be undertaken to determine device suitability
and to quantify potential energy. A particular focus will be on the use of novel shallow
water tidal energy devices in estuaries; this has the potential for significant applications in
Irish coastal waters.
 There will be a strong experimental component to this research. The tidal basin at NUIG will
initially be used to investigate effects of variations in longitudinal and lateral spacings on
tidal energy devices. Subsequently, experiments will be designed and carried out in the tidal
basin to optimise the configuration of tidal turbine fields. Also, it is hoped to gain access to
MCT data collected at the first full scale deployment of a tidal turbine at Carlingford Lough.
Results form experimental data will be provide a feedback to improve model predictions of
tidal power availability.