Dr. Lance Manuel has been advancing research in offshore wind energy generation through a collaborative effort between the University of Texas and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto or FEUP).
Pictured above (left to right): Professor Tiago Ferradosa, Professor Lance Manuel and Professor José Correia
Over the last few years, Dr. Manuel and Dr. José A. F. O. Correia of the Structural Integrity Research Laboratory (SIReL), Institute of R&D in Structures and Construction (CONSTRUCT), at FEUP have co-authored several publications, and recently completed their project "SOS-WindEnergy – Sustainable Reuse of Decommissioned Offshore Jacket Platforms for Offshore Wind Energy" (PI at UT-Austin: John Ekerdt; Executive Director in Portugal: Andreia Passos; Executive Director at UT-Austin: Marco Bravo). Through this project, Master’s and PhD students at FEUP and UT-Austin worked closely to address the problem of safely and responsibly using or reusing existing sites and systems in place, from earlier support in oil and gas exploration, for future offshore wind energy generation. Addressing the feasibility of specific support structures given meteorological and oceanographic (metocean) data at selected sites, they conducted fatigue performance evaluations of platforms for use to support offshore wind turbines.
Pictured right: Professor Lance Manuel receives medal from Professor José Correia honoring years of scientific activity and collaboration with FEUP
The project established a methodology for evaluating the fatigue performance of jacket platforms using available metocean environmental data and stochastic response modeling approaches, while considering the anticipated service life of these same decommissioned structures, modified to support wind turbines that then can contribute to a more sustainable and cleaner energy outlook for the future. Such repurposing strategies for decommissioned oil and gas platforms in the ocean can also greatly reduce waste and contribute to a cleaner and more responsible energy generation.
This spring, Dr. Manuel was awarded the FEUP medal honoring his years of scientific activity and collaboration toward the development and shared efforts with FEUP, and gave an invited lecture entitled “Toward Offshore Wind Turbine Safety and Reliability: Fatigue, Extremes, and Complex Environmental Loads” to researchers and students at the University of Porto.
The UT Austin Portugal Program is a Science and Technology joint venture between Portugal and The University of Texas at Austin that was launched in 2007 and seeks to foster change through human capital development, mission-driven research and entrepreneurial support.
Pictured above (left to right): Professor José Correia, Professor Lance Manuel, Professor Cláudio Horas, Professor Abílio de Jesus.
