The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience

The EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilence builds on the exemplary research track record of our previous CDT in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment. Drawing on a powerful research partnership between the Universities of Durham, Hull, Loughborough and Sheffield, and over 40 industry partners, we will welcome over 65 high quality doctoral researchers over the next five years.

We will have a dual focus – developing a diverse range of future leaders for the offshore wind industry; and creating impactful solutions to technological, environmental and socio-economic challenges arising from the rapid acceleration of the offshore wind sector.

We will welcome a new cohort of students undertaking funded research projects beginning September 2024. Recruitment is already open to nine research projects and we will add further projects imminently. Find out more about our doctoral scholarships.

The rapid expansion of the offshore wind industry is generating new challenges and the transdisciplinary CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience is uniquely placed to develop the solutions. Our research themes have been co-created and refined with industry to ensure that they meet rapidly evolving sector needs:

Push the frontiers of offshore wind technology

Understanding the engineering and environmental challenges around OW expansion into new, more challenging environments further from shore in deeper water.

Accelerate consent and support environmental sustainability

Reduction of the typical consent process requires integrated use of diverse models and data sources to advance understanding of OW environments.

Achieve a sustainable wind farm lifecycle

Increasing sustainability and efficiency while promoting rapid innovation is critical for keeping the UK  at the forefront of the industry.

Build and support a sustainable workforce

A thriving industry must be diverse, providing a safe, fulfilling and equitable environment for all staff; an understanding of human factors and humans-technology interaction is key.

Develop a resilient net-zero energy system

The UK transition to netzero by 2050 requires a resilient and integrated energy system. OW will form the backbone of the future energy system but must adapt to enable increased integration.