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Projects

Current Projects
Summary Ireland is in one of the best locations in the world in terms of Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) resources, but requires enabling science and technology to access these resources. Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has recently funded a €25 million Centre for Marine Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI). Further information is available at the  
Duration June 2013 - June 2019
NUIG Research Team Prof. Michael Hartnett; Prof. Sean Leen; Dr. Conchúr Ó Brádaigh; Dr. Jamie Goggins; Dr. Stephen Nash; Dr. Annette Harte; Dr. Patrick McGarry; Dr. Nathan Quinlan
Project Title MAREN (Marine renewable Energy)
Summary This project aims to answer some fundamental questions regarding the provision of marine renewable energy. Collectively, the outcomes from the project activities will provide information on the energy extraction potential of the Atlantic Area coastal waters and enable the prediction of both the impact of marine renewable energy devices on the environment (natural and human) and the impact of the environment on the performance of these devices. The focus of the NUIG team is tidal stream devices.
Duration May 2009 - June 2012
NUIG Research Team Dr. Michael Hartnett (PI); Dr. Stephen Nash (Co-PI); Dr. Indiana Olbert (postgraduate researcher); Noreen O’Brien (PhD student)
Project Title Cost effective sustainable construction technology for autonomous buildings
Summary This research is developing computational methods to continuously monitor and assess performance and design life of marine energy devices. This monitoring and assessment can be carried out remotely by analysing data from select measuring equipment placed in strategic locations.
Duration Sept 2009 – Oct 2012
NUIG Research Team Dr. Jamie Goggins (PI); William Finnegan (PhD student)
Project Title Numerical Modelling of Tidal Turbines
Summary This research aims to develop a three-dimensional nested tidal hydraulic model to simulate energy extraction by tidal current turbines and to investigate the resulting hydro-environmental impacts, such as changes in water levels or flow patterns.
Duration Sept 2010 - Aug 2013
NUIG Research Team Dr. Stephen Nash (PI); Darren Coppinger (PhD student)
Project Title Tidal Current Resource Assessment
Summary This research aims to assess and quantify the available tidal energy resource in Irish coastal waters. A nested tidal flow model of Irish coastal waters will be developed and used to investigate the available resource and generate a database of resource maps.
Duration Sept 2010 - Aug 2013
NUIG Research Team Dr. Stephen Nash (PI); David Fallon (PhD student)
Project Title Modelling Extreme Coastal Flood Events
Summary Development of a numerical model and early-warning system for the prediction of extreme coastal flood events resulting from a combination of tides, rivers and storm surges.
Duration Sept 2010 - Aug 2013
NUIG Research Team Dr. Michael Hartnett (PI); Dr. Stephen Nash (co-PI); Joanne Comer (PhD student)
Project Title Localised Assessment of Pipeline Integrity after Ultra-Deep S-Lay Installation
Summary Development of a local numerical model for the prediction of the structural response of ultra-deep water offshore pipelines and pipeline joints during the installation procedure.
Duration Nov 2009 - Oct 2011
NUIG Research Team Dr. Annette Harte (PI); Robert O’Grady (MEngSc student)
Project Title Advancement of a Design Life Prediction Technique for Steel Tube Umbilicals
Summary Steel Tube Umbilicals (STUs) are an essential component in the control system of many offshore floating production systems. The objective of this project is to establish a refined fatigue damage prediction technique for such systems for the purpose of reducing the conservatism in current methods
Duration Oct 2007 – Sep 2011
NUIG Research Team Dr. Annette Harte; Padraic Kirrane (MEngSc student)

Recently Completed Projects
 
Project Title A GIS-Based Water Quality Modelling Tool
Summary A new software product, MarGIS_WFD was developed for modelling of marine/freshwaters with particular application to the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and the EU Habitats Directive.
Duration 2005 - 2008
NUIG Research Team Dr. Michael Hartnett (co-PI); Dr. Stephen Nash (co-PI); Conor Delaney (postgraduate researcher)
Project Title PRISM (Predictive Irish Sea Models)
Summary A series of predictive models were developed for the Irish Sea and selected near-shore waters on the Irish and Welsh coasts. The models are run on an operational basis and live foecasts are published on the PRISM website (www.prism.ie).
Duration 2003 - 2006
NUIG Research Team Dr. Michael Hartnett (PI); Indiana Olbert (PhD student)
Project Title Characterisation of the Wave Environment in the Fatigue Analysis of Flexible Risers
Summary This project examined different methods of characterising the wave environment in the fatigue analysis of flexible risers used in the offshore oil/gas industry. A methodology for performing global stochastic analysis in the frequency domain has led to greatly reduced analysis time.
Duration Completed 2005
NUIG Research Team Dr. Annette Harte (PI); John Sheehan (MEngSc student)
Project Title An Analytical Tool for the Design and Analysis of Thermal Insulation Systems for Risers and Subsea Flowlines
Summary As the offshore oil/gas industry moves to deep and ultra-deep waters, the issue of flow assurance has become increasingly important. Thermal insulation systems are required to ensure that fluid temperatures remain high enough to prevent the formation of waxes and hydrates. A software tool to design such systems was developed that is capable of predicting the lifetime performance of the system and also the response to a shut-in event.
Duration Completed 2002
NUIG Research Team Dr. Annette Harte (PI); Dara Williams (MEngSc student)
Project Title Design of Combined Riser Mooring System for Deepwater Applications
Summary The Combined Riser Mooring (CRM) concept involves combining steel catenary riser systems and mooring systems for floating offshore production units into a single integrated system. A suitable methodology for the evaluation of CRM systems with respect to both riser and mooring design criteria was developed. The feasibility of using CRM systems was demonstrated and with reduced dynamics for the risers, and improved fatigue performance.
Duration Completed 2002
NUIG Research Team Dr. Annette Harte (PI); Brendan Hogg (MEngSc student)