Flexible bulge wave energy converter design integration

Applications are invited for a 4-year EPSRC funded UDLA EngD studentship. The studentship will start on 1 October 2025.

Apply

To apply for EPSRC funded UDLA The Doctor of Engineering (EngD) studentship, please follow the instructions below.
The application process has two stages. In the first stage, applicants are asked to send:
CV and a Statement of Intent (max. two pages) describing your background and commitment to the research topic to the EPSRC UDLA lead, Professor Lars Johanning at lars.johanning@plymouth.ac.uk.
Please also identify the PhD studentship project you are interested in.
The deadline for applications is 28 March 2025.
The University is leading a new Doctoral Landscape Award designed to foster a new generation of researchers in offshore renewable energy and health and medical technologies. Funded through a grant of over £1.7million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the initiative will build on existing areas of research excellence spearheaded by the University’s Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy and Centre for Health Technology .

Project description

Despite the huge potential resource globally, the development of wave energy has not progressed to commercialisation, and the cost of electricity from wave energy conversion are still too expensive compared with other sources. Wave energy is a valuable component of our future Net Zero renewable energy mix that can fill gaps of low generation from other sources and reduce balancing and storage costs.
Wave energy converters based on deformable materials may offer improved performance, survivability, reliability, and reduced cost compared with steel or concrete alternatives. Flexibility opens up the possibility to use a range of power take off technologies, such as novel distributed embedded energy converters and electro active polymers amongst others.
The Anaconda bulge wave energy converter is a novel attenuator flexible wave energy converter concept developed by Checkmate Seaenergy. A significant design update in 2020 resulted in the Lobe-Tendon Anaconda which maintains the power capture capabilities of the original concept while introducing significant improvements in maintainability, manufacturability, and affordability of the device.
Using hydrodynamics experiments and computational modelling, this project will contribute to further improvement of the Lobe-Tendon Anaconda technology performance level. The current state of the art in flexible WECs and PTO systems will be reviewed and assessed for integration with the Anaconda device with the overall aim of developing a cost effective and survivable WEC suitable for the island market and with future potential for utility scale applications.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant Masters qualification. Applications from both UK and overseas students are welcome.
The studentship is supported for 4 years (1 year taught element + 3 year industry research project) and includes full Home tuition fees, Bench fee plus a stipend of £20,780 per annum 2025/26 rate. The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates. The international component of the fee may be waived for outstanding international applicants.
There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.
If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Deborah Greaves at Deborah.greaves@plymouth.ac.uk.
For more information on the admissions process generally, please contact research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 28 March 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly thereafter. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.