Company/Organization: TU Delft
Country: The Netherlands
City: Delft
Application Deadline: 2025-02-14
Job Weblink: https://careers.tudelft.nl/job/Delft-PhD-Position-Interactions-Between-Offshore-Wind-Turbines-and-the-Marine-Atmospheric-Boundary-Layer-2628-CD/809987602/
Job Description: In the coming years, a significant number of offshore wind farms will be deployed to meet global renewable energy targets. This rapid growth in capacity will be accompanied by several key changes: turbines will increase in size, capacity density will rise, the spacing between wind farms will decrease, and installations will extend into deeper waters. These developments will intensify interactions between wind farms and the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL). While research has focused on how the atmosphere influences wind turbines, far less is known about how wind farms themselves impact the dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean.
In this project, you will use a coupled atmosphere-wave-ocean regional-scale model to explore the large-scale interactions between offshore wind turbines and the MABL. The accuracy of these models can be improved in several ways. One important path is through validation, which helps to identify potential shortcomings and refine model performance. Additionally, by improving the representation of small-scale processes—through high-fidelity modeling, observational data, or data-driven approaches—model performance can be further enhanced. Your work with this coupled model will be pivotal for understanding the broader effects of wind farms on the marine atmosphere and oceanic processes.
Example research questions may include: How well can coupled atmosphere-wave-ocean models with turbines represent key interactions in the marine environment? What are the potential implications of large-scale wind farm installations on the MABL and associated ocean-atmosphere dynamics? However, you will be encouraged to contribute your own ideas and shape the research direction based on your interests and insights.
Throughout the project, you will have opportunities to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team, including experts in atmospheric, oceanic, and climate modeling. We value your growth as an independent researcher and aim to support your professional development and networking opportunities, both during and beyond the PhD program.
Contact Informations:
Name: Sara Porchetta
E-Mail: S.P.Porchetta@tudelft.nl
Website: www.tudelft.nl/en/