Description of the thesis topic

Title : Analysis of offshore atmosphere and impact of wind-wave interaction on wind resource.

The objective of the PhD study will be to provide an evaluation of the impact of wind/wave interaction on the offshore wind resource. The next generation 25+MW OWTs will mostly be installed tens of kilometres from the coast where an enhanced dynamic interaction between water and the lower part of the ABL is at play by means of waves, coastal bathymetry, local currents, and tidal dynamics. In turn, these multi-scale interactions produce complex local atmospheric flow phenomena, such as the wave boundary layer, low-level jets, extreme wind shear, extreme wind veer, causing a wide range of wind conditions and a significant deviation from the classical description of well-mixed ABL conditions (e.g.,Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory, power law, Kaimal turbulent spectra). This work aims at describing such complex inflow offshore wind conditions accounting for wind-wave interaction and to provide input to enable the analysis of their influence on 25+MW OWT with increasingly long blades. The work has a particular focus on atmospheric turbulence and will be based on the analysis of field measurements. The main activities in this project are: 1) to identify and gather offshore wind data close to the sea surface for various wind/wave situations using existing and possibly new observations and models; 2) to classify the data as function of environmental parameters (wave conditions, relative wind/wave directions); and 3) to analyse and document situations where the wind profile and/or wind statistics deviate from the standards due to wind-wave interactions in order to provide inflow offshore conditions of interest for 25+MW OWT (profiles, turbulence).

Work Context

This PhD is a part of the NEXTgenT (NEXT generation of over 25MW offshore wind Turbine rotor design) MSCA Doctoral Networks.

The overall objective of the European NEXTgenT training network is to educate a new generation of researchers capable of converting their new knowledge of atmospheric science and wind turbine technologies into the development of the next generation of 25+MW offshore wind turbine rotor systems.

By being part of a MSCA Doctoral Network, you will have the opportunity to meet regularly and work closely with a group of your fellow PhD candidates, a distributed team of experts, both from academia and wind industry located all across Europe. You will also have the opportunity for two secondments (3 months each) in one industrial partner and one academic partner in the the NEXTgenT Doctoral Network.

About LHEEA-CNRS
The PhD student work will take place at the ”Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique, d'Energétique et d'Environnement Atmosphérique” (LHEEA) at École Centrale de Nantes (ECN). LHEEA is a JRU (Joint Research Unit – UMR 6598)– UMR 6598) whose legal representatives are ECN and Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS).

LHEEA has about 140 members staff, including about 30 PhD students. The lab has an internationally recognized expertise on free surface, atmospheric flows and aerodynamics, which is carried both through numerical simulation and experimental work. Wind energy is one of the main areas of interest of the lab, focusing on interactions between wind turbines and atmospheric flows, wind turbines rotor and blade aerodynamics, blade flow control and monitoring.

CNRS, operating under the French Ministry of research, is the largest French research organization, and the larges in Europe in terms of publications. With 32000 staff and 1000 laboratories spread throughout the country, the CNRS carries out research in all scientific fields of knowledge. Its major objectives are to improve knowledge, promote interdisciplinarity, ensure economic and technological development and solve complex societal needs. In 2017, it was awarded "HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R)".

With about 1100 undergraduate and 250 graduate students, ECN is one of the top engineering schools in France. Ecole Centrale de Nantes is allowed to award PhD degrees and consequently, researchers recruited by the beneficiary LHEEA-CNRS will be registered at ECN as PhD students. .

The candidate will thus get the chance to work in one of the best research institute in Europe, CNRS, and within the best engineering schools in France, École Centrale de Nantes (ECN).

Additional Information

Requirements

The candidate should have an MSc degree in atmospheric science from a well-established university or an MSc degree in related engineering disciplines such as mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, turbulence, applied physics, or applied mathematics with proven experience (courses, projects, and work experience) in the field of wind engineering or turbulence.

A combination of good skills in fluid dynamics and a strong interest in field observations, atmospheric flows or turbulent flows are required. Experience in field experiment techniques(LiDAR) or oceanography is preferred.

Eligibility criteria
Fulfilment of eligibility criteria is dictated by the European Commission under the Horizon MSCA Doctoral Networks Programme. We welcome applications from PhD candidates from any country fulfilling the following mobility criteria:
Eligible candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their first host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before their recruitment by the host institution (i.e., the starting date indicated in the employment contract/equivalent direct contract).

Eligible candidates must have a master's degree relevant to the chosen position or its equivalent that would entitle them to a doctorate, awarded before the start of the positions.

Due to the international context of the PhD, it requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis.