The importance of offshore renewable energy (ORE) research and mutual cooperation between academia and industry were strengthened following the United Kingdom’s biggest investment towards centres for doctoral training (CDT). This funding allows CDTs such as the University of Edinburgh’s IDCORE program to continue and expand its reach and impact in ORE.

In a recent announcement made by Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan, 65 different CDTs across the UK that are engaged in doctoral training in engineering and physical sciences were awarded a total of £1 billion. Out of this sum, IDCORE, the industrial centre for doctoral training in offshore renewable energy, was allocated £6M by the UK’s funding body, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), thereby allowing the program to continue delivering cutting-edge education and expand its partnership for another 5 years.   

Professor David Ingram, Academic Director of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering and director of the IDCORE program said, “I am delighted that the new IDCORE program has been funded, and that we will be welcoming Swansea University into the partnership which delivers the UK’s leading Engineering Doctorate training program in Offshore Renewable Energy.”     

The additional funding unlocks an added £3M from industry followed by £480k pooled through the partnership between the University of Edinburgh, the University of Exeter, Strathclyde University, the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), and the newly introduced Swansea University, to train 50 students.

IDCORE research engineers on the ferry from Stromness (Orkney) to Scrabster (Caithness)

A closer look at the IDCORE program

Supporting the UK’s 2020 & 2050 targets for ORE, the IDCORE program allows students to translate their training into real-life scenarios and secures them entrance into highly competitive industries after completing their 4-year doctoral training course. It aims to engage students with a multi-disciplinary study and gain industry experience in offshore wind, wave, and tidal technologies.    

Students of the program engage with industry-based projects to deliver solutions to the rapidly evolving sector. Some of the many examples include Dr Alyona Naberezhnykh who worked with the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) and Orbital Marine Power to understand how turbulence measured across the EMEC test site affects Orbital’s turbine.    

The impact of IDCORE has lasting effects that help shape novel technologies and instruments for ORE. It makes a profound impact on the students and their respective sponsoring companies. For example, tools originally developed by IDCORE students previously sponsored by JBA Consulting have been developed further by Susana Tores, an electrical engineer and part of the programmes 2019 cohort,  which has helped optimize the installation of offshore wind farms by applying them to floating wind.   

 Dr. Mark Lawless, a JBA Director, says “At JBA, we have a long and successful relationship with the IDCORE program, having hosted three students and employed four graduates. We hugely value the benefits that the IDCORE program has brought to us, not least the high caliber of students that have worked with us and who have been instrumental in developing and advancing novel new technologies for the offshore wind sector. Having Susana with us has been fantastic. The knowledge that she has gained from the program, coupled with her previous industry experience, has allowed her to rapidly engage with and advance an important new area for us in floating wind.”  

Additional IDCORE case studies can be accessed here.  

Ione Smith (IDCORE Research Engineer) aboard a large installation vessel taking a tidal turbine from Nigg to the Pentland Firth as part of the MeyGEN tidal energy project.

Importance of collaboration for a brighter future for Offshore Renewable Energy

IDCORE highlights the need for direct engagement between academics and industry to develop innovative solutions. It enables responses to challenges in the implementation of offshore renewables and encourages experts across the leading universities and companies to come together in this global endeavor.  

Professor Ingram comments, “It is hard to say where future IDCORE projects will go. We have exceptionally strong support from wave, tidal, and floating wind developers, engineering consultants, supply chain companies, energy utilities, and catapults. Our research project areas are led by industrial need and will continue to support initiatives such as: the installation of new HVDC cables to allow the UK to benefit from its huge marine energy resource; to support technology developers like Mocean energy, Nova Innovations and Orbital Marine Power to develop the next generation of wave and tidal energy machines; to help The Crown Estate identify areas for seabed leasing rounds; and more. All I can say is the projects will be high-impact and very exciting!”  

The positive responses from the representatives of the participating universities further highlight the lasting impression IDCORE makes in the field. Professor Julia Race from the University of Strathclyde said, “The University of Strathclyde is proud to be partnering in the continuing success of the IDCORE CDT. The CDT wholly aligns with our University’s research strategy and significant contribution to transformational research in energy and ocean resources and has a significant role to play in delivering the next generation of leaders to address our national and global commitments for decarbonisation.”  

Professor Ben Wilson, Associate Director for Science and Research at the SAMS said, “Our team at SAMS is delighted to hear that the IDCORE program has received further funding. Our summer schools teach these high-calibre doctoral engineering students why details of the natural environment and considerations for other stakeholder groups are fundamentally important for the successful deployment of offshore renewables.”     

Professor Philipp Thies from the University of Exeter added, “The IDCORE EngD program is an excellent collaborative effort that shines through its synergies and cohort building spirit. The students get an academic and industrial experience; the industry sponsors benefit from academic ideas and state of the art research; and the academics have the opportunity to work on applied industrial problems. I am looking forward to be working with students, colleagues, and industry partners to contribute to the ORE sector.”  

Applications remain open for UK-based students interested in following the IDCORE program. Please refer to the following link to learn about the application process and important deadlines.