Energy absorbing mooring systems: Risk-based investigation for high intensity typhoon conditions in China (MoTyph)

15bf69b9-95db-49a7-a40e-2143fd26b30e

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Newton Fund
Newton Fund
Newton Fund
Newton Fund
Newton Fund

£635,665

Oct. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2015

Wave energy technology in China could potentially contribute 13GW of installed power to the country's energy
needs with particular benefit to coastal regions that have limited local energy resources. Commercial wave
energy development in China is hampered by low wave power density levels between 2-7kW/m, an order of
magnitude less than the UK, yet suffers on average from more than 10 high intensity typhoon events a year,
causing extreme wind and wave conditions. This project aims to address the survivability of wave energy converters in Chinese waters during reoccurring high intensity typhoons. The research will explore the development of cost-effective mooring systems.

Potential Impact:
The proposed research will directly benefit Chinese wave energy developers in their effort to design the most
cost-efficient, yet reliable systems possible in conditions of tropical cyclones. Specific stakeholder workshops
open to device developers and other interested parties are planned to establish a pathway to impact. If the
proposed research is successful, it will make wave technology in regions exposed to tropical cyclones more cost effective.
It also holds potential for applications in other areas (e.g. floating tidal or fish aquacultures). The
anticipated typhoon risk maps may benefit companies as well as the wider general public utilising or visiting
Chinese waters in reducing their likelihood of typhoon exposure. Finally, the work will benefit UK plc through
exports in technology and expertise.

Journal papers and conference contributions will increase the influence of the research.

To explore and enable further collaboration between the UK and China both teams, and the teams of other feasibility projects funded by this call, propose to align project specific meetings with workshops involving other research groups. Potential options that will be explored include the existing Oxford Tidal Energy Workshop is (typically around end March / early April) and the PRIMARE research workshop (tbc). This represents a forum for technical discussion of preliminary findings; Chinese partners are invited. An earlier workshop is also proposed in China to enable discussion of feasibility project progress and explore wider collaboration opportunities.