Education
Researcher training constitutes a significant part of NorthWind’s activities. We are expecting 27 PhD grants to be funded by the Centre, including 10 in-kind grants by NTNU and UiO. 13 have already started.
In addition, there will be an effort as part of NorthWind to have more bachelor and master students at NTNU and UiO specialising in wind
energy (target of 200 MSc/BSc). This represents a unique recruitment base for the industry partners. Researcher training will be provided by NTNU and UiO, in cooperation with associate research partners.
PhD position: Doctoral Research Fellow in law
The Doctoral Research Fellow will work at the Scandinavian Institute for Maritime Law, Department for energy and resource law, in Oslo.
The PhD candidate will contribute to work package 5 (WP5) in the NorthWind project on sustainable offshore wind development, and is expected to write a doctoral thesis on contracts related to the planning, development and operation of offshore wind projects. The overall purpose of WP5 is to develop “tools and insights for sustainable development of wind energy to create a successful export industry, reduce cost and uncertainty, and resolve environmental and societal conflicts”. The project will form part of subgroup 1, which focuses, among other things, on contracts and business models for the development and operation of offshore wind projects, including how different solutions can contribute to innovation, cost-efficiency and circular economy (“materials circularity”). The doctoral Research Fellow is expected to write a doctoral thesis on issues that fall within this topic, and must expect to work closely with the other project participants involved in WP5.
Relevant topics should be connected with contracts and contract models adapted to the special concerns relating to offshore wind.
Deadline for application: 20 February 2023
(Application i Norwegian)
Joint PhD Programme in Offshore Wind Energy
Through the NOWRIC collaboration, NTNU, SINTEF and DTU established a Joint PhD Programme in Offshore
Wind Energy to enable collaboration through co-supervision and one-year exchange of at least 4 PhD-students. NTNU and DTU also have a Joint Nordic Master’s degree programme on Innovative Sustainable Energy Engineering with a study track ‘System Integration of Wind Power’.
NorthWind Winter School
An annual meeting place where young researchers from all over the world can hear new ideas, methods and theories within the wind energy field. It will be organised in connection with the EERA DeepWind conference and will consist of a series of lectures on a selected topic given by international experts with time for the exchange of ideas and networking.
Collaboration
An individual research plan will be developed for each PhD candidate based on the Centre’s research needs. Collaboration groups between PhD students, supervisors, SINTEF researchers and relevant industry partners will maximise synergy and integration at task level. Research will address scientific and technical knowledge gaps to achieve the Centre’s goals. PhD students and their supervisors will present their research at leading international conferences and annual NorthWind meetings and seminars.
International Academic Networks
The Centre will facilitate and fund PhDs to stay abroad with collaborating universities. Industry partners will
provide short-term internship positions for innovation case studies. International exchange of research
personnel with academic networks and internship arrangements with the Centre’s industry partners will
contribute to knowledge exchange between the academic communities and the industry.
Introduction to offshore wind
NTNU launched a new, free continuing education course titled “Introduction to offshore wind” in early 2023. This first iteration of the course is financed by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, and therefore free for students. It is designed to give a basic insight into the main principles of how offshore wind power works, and the environmental impact it has on its surroundings, with a focus on four aspects: Dynamic construction analysis of offshore wind turbines; Electrical infrastructure and system integration; Digital solutions for the operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms; and Sustainable development of offshore wind power.
Meet our PhD candidates
Veronica Liverud Krathe
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 1
Nationality: Norwegian
Supervisor: Prof. Erin Bachynski-Polić (NTNU), Prof. Amir R. Nejad (NTNU), Dr Jason Jonkman (NREL)
Period: 2021-2024
Thesis: Multiscale/-fidelity wind turbine dynamics models for structural design and control
In my thesis I will investigate multiscale dynamic analysis of offshore wind turbines, with the overall objective of reducing downtime and cost, increasing the competitiveness of offshore wind. This means combining effects on farm level and single turbines and investigate the impacts of these on the drivetrain. Today’s aero-hydro-servo-elastic analysis tools simplify the drivetrain model (requiring decoupled analysis), neglect hydroelastic responses of the hull, and account for wake effects through conservative wind field models. Especially, there are some effects for larger, more flexible substructures that can be important. I will start by looking into shortcomings in state-of-the-art methods with respect to multi-fidelity modelling, and possible improvements that can be implemented in current design tools. Subsequently, key objectives are to enable more optimal control, more efficient substructure design and more efficient park layout design.
Afolarinwa David Oyegbile
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 1
Nationality: Nigerian
Supervisor: Prof. Michael Muskulus (NTNU), Prof. Gudmund Eiksund (NTNU), Senior Researcher Anand Natarajan (DTU), Dr. Amy Robertson (NREL)
Period: 2021-2024
Thesis: Reliability- and data-based structural design under industrial constraints
In my project, I will look to learn from existing industrial experiences and develop a holistic framework for structural design optimization of wind turbine support structures with the aim of achieving cost effective support structures. The design process involves uncertainties in the assumptions, models and results obtained. Considering such uncertainties generally requires the use of probabilistic mathematical models that severely complicate the design optimization problem that needs to be solved. My research will consider relevant design drivers (e.g. fatigue loads and soil conditions) as well as practical issues such as installation complexity and fabrication constraints while leveraging on recent developments in gradient-based design optimization methods to address these uncertainties.
Torfinn Ottesen
Affiliation: NTNU, SINTEF Ocean
NorthWind WP: 2
Nationality: Norwegian
Supervisor: Prof. Svein Sævik (NTNU), Prof. Zhen Gao (NTNU), Senior Research Scientist Janne Gjøsteen (SINTEF Ocean)
Period: 2021-2025
Thesis: An approach for safe and cost-effective installation of offshore wind power cables
The power cable is an essential part of any wind turbine since the produced energy cannot be delivered without the power cable. To assure power cable functionality, the mechanical integrity of the power cable system must be assured in all phases – from cable manufacturing, through the offshore installation operation and during the operational life of the wind turbine plant. Strang-Moran (2020, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult) has reviewed causes of cable failures in the UK offshore wind industry. She reports that nearly half (46%) of cable failures are caused by installation errors. The rest is due to manufacturing issues (31%), inadequate cable design (15%) and mechanical damage after installation (8%). In my project I will improve the simulation models for predicting cable load during installation. Also, safe limits for combined tension, torsion and bending loads are studied. This may help reduce the number of cable failures caused during installation.
Vibeke Hvidegaard Petersen
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 2
Nationality: Danish
Supervisors: Prof. Magnus Stålhane (NTNU), Prof. Stein W. Wallace (NHH)
Period: 2022-2026
Thesis: Predictive maintenance at offshore wind farms
According to IRENA (2022) operations and maintenance (O&M) costs for offshore wind ranged between 70-129 USD/kW in 2018. For onshore it was 33-56 USD/kW. These higher O&M costs for offshore wind are related to the harsh conditions at sea which makes maintenance planning a complex task. To ensure that the ambitions of offshore wind are viable, it is crucial to decrease the maintenance costs. The focus in my project is on effective logistics planning to reduce the cost of maintaining offshore wind farms, while at the same time maximizing the electricity output. I research how maintenance schedules can be optimized by using predictive models of degradations as input. The goal is to develop a solution methodology that combines predictive models of degradation, weather forecasts, data on vessel capabilities and logistics planning to deliver decision support for maintenance planners. To develop the methodology new exact and/or heuristic solution methods must be developed, based, e.g., on existing methods from mixed integer stochastic programming and/or simulation.
Lorrana Faria da Rocha
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 3
Nationality: Brazilian
Supervisor: Pål Keim Olsen (NTNU), Co-supervisors: Hendrik Vansompel (UGent), Elisabetta Tedeschi (NTNU), Erik Grøndahl (SGRE)
Period: 2021-2024
Thesis: Power electronics architecture and control methods for a HVDC generator for offshore wind
The objective of my PhD project is to investigate suitable topologies for the converter modules and overall architecture design, as well as developing control algorithms for all operation modes of a modular HVDC generator for offshore wind energy. The proposal of a HVDC modular generator is to remove the use of the offshore substation/platform, which constitutes the energy conditioning elements for the HVDC transmission, by the connection in series of modules of a segmented HVDC generator. This modular series connection of converters has promising characteristics, such as cost reduction, increased efficiency and weight reduction. However, it is a system that has not yet been implemented commercially and needs many studies and tests to validate a practical application. Thus, the main scope of my Ph.D. study is to prove the feasibility of operating a modular HVDC generator for offshore wind energy focusing on the architecture and control of the electronic power converters.
Arkaitz Rabanal Alcubilla
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 3
Nationality: Spanish
Supervisor: Elisabetta Tedeschi (NTNU). Co-Supervisors: Salvatore D’Arco (Sintef Energy), Nicolaos Cutululis (DTU), Pål Keim Olsen (NTNU)
Period: 2021-2024
Thesis: Energy Storage for Grid Services in HVDC Connected Offshore Wind Farms
This PhD project will research different options to provide grid ancillary services for offshore wind power plants by means of integrating energy storage into the HVDC transmission system.
The main aim is to embed and/or exploit energy storage into the different converters in the offshore wind power plants or offshore grid, in relation to the type of grid services required. Considering suitable storage technologies, aspects such as most convenient storage location, storage sizing and control implementation will be discussed. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed control solutions is expected to be validated in a laboratory environment at the National Smart Grid Lab of NTNU, reaching the Technology Readiness Level 4.
Ingvild Ånestad
Affiliation: UiO
NorthWind WP: 3
Nationality: Norwegian
Supervisor: Prof. Catherine Banet (UiO)
Period: 2023-2027
Thesis: The regulatory framework for the development of offshore grid infrastructure in the North Sea, primarily focusing on Norway
In my project I will contribute to NorthWind’s Work Package 3 (WP3): Electrical infrastructure and system integration. The objective of WP3 is to develop reliable and cost-effective electric power components and system solutions to enable profitable large-scale deployment of offshore wind energy in the North Sea. WP3 includes a legal component, where legal research focuses on improving the applicable legal and regulatory framework.In my project I will review the current legislation for offshore grid infrastructure, more precisely the regulatory framework for market design, third party access, operatorship, tariffs, etc. I will also possibly suggest improvements to the framework, taking into account Norway’s special status as an energy nation and an EEA state. As part of my project, I will do a comparative study of selected North Sea countries, as well as include the perspective of common energy projects between North Sea countries.
Florian Stadtmann
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 4
Nationality: German
Supervisor: Prof. Adil Rasheed (NTNU), Prof. Trond Kvamsdal (NTNU), Prof. Omer San (OSU), Kjetil André Johannessen (SINTEF)
Period: 2021-2024
Thesis: Enabling Technologies for Digital Twins
Wanwan Zhang
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 4
Nationality: Chinese
Supervisor: Prof. Jørn Vatn (NTNU), Prof. Adil Rasheed (NTNU)
Period: 2021-2024
Thesis: Predictive Maintenance and Decision Support for Asset Management
This project is aimed at the predictive maintenance of offshore wind turbines. Predictive maintenance is a regime for optimal and timely maintenance. It predicts exactly when the system will fail and when to maintain it before the failure actually happens. Remaining useful lifetime (RUL) predictions based on sensor measurements will be the basis for research. Statistical reliability data interfaced with predictions for weather windows, operation planning and logistic resources will give support for decision making in maintenance scheduling. My research will focus on developing the hybrid model integrating machine learning methods, mathematical models, and physical-based models to predict and optimize the maintenance of offshore wind turbines.
Gullik-André Fjordbo
Affiliation: UiO
NorthWind WP: 5
Nationality: Norwegian
Supervisor: Prof. Ivar Alvik (UiO), Associate Prof. Katrine Broch Hauge (UiO)
Period: 2022-2026
Thesis: Impact assessments of wind power plants
One of the goals of the FME NorthWind is to develop tools and insights for sustainable development of wind energy to create a successful export industry, reduce cost and uncertainty, and resolve environmental and societal conflicts (Work Package 5). Regulations that mandate appropriate impact assessments may contribute to achieve this goal. My plan is to review the current legislation and possibly suggest how the rules can be improved to make the process more efficient and predictable, as well as effective in mitigating conflicts.
Pankaj Ravindra Gode
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 5
Nationality: Indian
Supervisor: Prof. Arild Aspelund (NTNU), Ass. Prof. Øyvind Bjørgum (NTNU)
Period: 2021-2025
Thesis: Circular Business Development of Offshore Wind Energy
My research is focused on the integration of circular economy (CE) with the offshore wind energy industry (OWE). Throughout the period of my research, I will be looking at different circular business models, product design strategies and CE frameworks that are compatible with the OWE industry. The initial aim of this research is to contribute its share to the development of circular practices to decommission the near end-of-life offshore wind farms in an environmental-friendly way, using the best possible waste management strategies to minimize the generated waste. However, the key focus of this research is about developing circular business models, product design strategies and CE frameworks that will allow to better design future offshore wind farms and extend their designated lifespan.
Julian Lahuerta
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 5
Nationality: Norwegian
Supervisor: Prof. Asbjørn Karlsen (NTNU)
Period: 2021-2024
Thesis: Harnessing Norwegian maritime industrial capabilities in the emerging US offshore wind industry
My research project examines how Norwegian offshore wind firms adapt to the particularities of the U.S. federalist institutional system, whether Norwegian firm strategies and stakeholder engagement differs depending on the locality in question, and what the implications are for Norwegian regional development. This project will focus on two Norwegian led projects in the U.S., the Empire Wind project led by Equinor in New York State, which utilizes fixed-bottom technology, and the more distant project led by Aker Solutions off the coast of California, which utilizes floating technology. Both cases will employ a mixed-method qualitative framework that draw on primary data compiled from semi-structured interviews, policy documents and newspaper articles, in addition to secondary data compiled from document analysis and databases. Theoretically, this project contributes to recent discussions within economic geography and transition studies that highlight the variegated nature of national institutions and the importance of exogenous factors in regional industrial development.
Birgitte Nygaard
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 5
Nationality: Danish
Supervisor: Prof. Tomas Moe Skjølsvold (NTNU), Ass. Prof. Robert Næss (NTNU)
Period: 2021-2024
Thesis: The framing of Norwegian Wind Energy futures – the cases of Svalbard and Sørlige Nordsjø II
In my project, I examine the framings of Norwegian wind energy futures, which directions for development are envisioned, and how these link to Norwegian national identity and geopolitics. The research is carried out using a mix of qualitative methods such as field work, interviews with stakeholders, policy document analysis, as well as media analysis. My research focusses on two cases – the energy transition of Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and the area for offshore development, Sørlige Nordsjø II. A special focus is placed on the role of shocks (such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the energy crisis, and the Russian invasion of Ukrain), how these are utilised by different actors to promote their position within discussions over how energy transitions – and the role of wind power – could and should be designed, and which perceived burdens and benefits are linked to it.
Chrysi Danelaki
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 5
Nationality: Greek
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Christian A. Klöckner (NTNU)
Period: 2023-2027
Thesis: Coming soon
Øyvind Torgersrud
This PhD is associated with NorthWind but financed through other sources.
Affiliation: Laboratoire 3SR, Université Grenoble Alpes & NGI
NorthWind WP: 1
Nationality: Norwegian
Supervisor: Gioacchino Viggiani (3SR), Hans Petter Jostad (NGI), Jose E Andrade (Caltech), Edward Ando (EPFL)
Period: 2021-2024
Thesis: Numerical and experimental analysis of fabric evolution in granular soil under cyclic loading
The main objective of my PhD project is to improve fundamental understanding and predictive modelling of granular soils under cyclic loading. This is done through experimental and numerical investigation of the microstructure (fabric) evolution during cycles. The hypotheses are: i) change in fabric is the main driver for changes in response between cycles, ii) change in fabric can be quantified from XRCT (X-ray Computed Tomography) imaging of experiments and numerically from Level Set DEM (LS-DEM) simulations, iii) a state parameter, such as a memory surface, can be used to describe this effect, and can be expressed in a constitutive framework for the sand. First, the abilities and limitations of LS-DEM modelling to accurately simulate the macroscopic response of sand under cyclic loading is investigated. Second, triaxial testing, combined with X-ray tomography imaging, is used for calibration and experimental validation of the LS-DEM model. The XRCT images and numerical LS-DEM model will be used together to study the evolution of fabric descriptors and evaluate if a state parameter can be established to describe the cyclic behaviour of sand.
Yannick Cyiza Karekezi
This PhD is associated with NorthWind but financed through other sources.
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 3
Nationality: Norwegian
Supervisor: Pål Keim Olsen. Co-supervisors: Robert Nilssen (NTNU), Hendrik Vansompel (UGent), Erik Grøndahl (SGRE)
Period: 2021-2024
Thesis: Novel Modular HVDC Generator for Offshore Wind
In this Ph.D. project a compact and modular HVDC generator is seen as a feasible solution to higher energy efficiency and lower cost in offshore wind energy generation and distribution. By producing high DC voltage, above 100 kV, in the first conversion step, the subsequent conversion steps are eliminated. In addition, the modular structure of the HVDC generator has in-built fault tolerance capability, potentially increasing the availability of wind turbines. The drastic reduction in conversion steps due to the use of the HVDC generator may help the market to meet its goals for reducing the cost of energy from renewable energy sources. The concept may increase the benefits of HVDC power systems and make it feasible to replace parts of the HVAC system that is used today. The challenges with the technology are multidisciplinary and range from electromechanical to thermal and high voltage insulation design of the generator modules, choice of module converter topology and optimum control strategies, as well as a protection system able to clear internal DC faults within the machine. The focus of my Ph.D. study is the design of an HVDC generator for offshore wind, primarily studying electromechanical and thermal design.
Nikki Luttikhuis
This PhD is associated with NorthWind but financed through other sources.
Affiliation: SINTEF Industry & NTNU
NorthWind WP: 5
Nationality: Dutch
Supervisor: Øyvind Bjørgum (NTNU), Kirsten Wiebe (SINTEF)
Period: 2021-2025
Thesis: Technology impacts on the Sustainable Development Goals, an interlinkages approach
My research project focuses on how technologies can link towards the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how, considering the technology context, these targets in turn interlink with each other. By researching SDG target interlinkages, synergies (that will accelerate goal achievement) and trade-offs (that hamper goal achievement) will be identified. In order to research this, I develop a qualitative focus group approach in order to systematically research how five different technologies link towards the SDGs. Offshore wind is one of the technologies researched within the SDG interlinkages method. After this, input-output modelling will be combined with the qualitative analysis of SDG interlinkages to quantitatively assess the impacts of offshore wind on the different SDG targets.
Lukas Seifert
This PhD is associated with NorthWind but financed through other sources.
Affiliation: NTNU
NorthWind WP: 5
Nationality: German
Supervisor: Bente Jessen Graae (NTNU)
Period: 2023-2026
Thesis: Ecological restoration in onshore wind energy projects
Biodiversity is declining worldwide and human land use change, as well as climate change, have been identified as the main drivers of this biodiversity crisis. To tackle climate change, the development of renewables like onshore wind is increasing rapidly. However, while reducing atmospheric carbon inputs, onshore wind power plants can cause ecosystem degradation for example by damaging vegetation, soils, and hydrology throughout different project stages. The goal of my project is to better understand the potential of onshore wind energy to degrade ecosystems. By adding to this knowledge gap, the need for ecological restoration after decommissioning can be properly realized and effective restoration strategies developed. Overall, this helps make wind energy more sustainable as it resolves conflicts between emission-free energy production and the existence of natural ecosystems.
Master's students
FME NorthWind has a target of 200 wind power-related MSc/BSc for the duration of the centre. You can see some of these by consulting the Wind power Master’s list on the NTNU Open website, and the Wind power Master’s list on the UiO Duo website.
