Dr Chenyu Zhao

Biography

Dr. Chenyu Zhao is a distinguished figure in the field of Marine Renewable Energy, with a focus on offshore wind farms, wave energy, and related marine structures. He currently serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth, a position he has held since December 2023. His work encompasses the development of Marine Autonomous Robotic Intervention Systems and advanced marine structures.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Zhao was a Research Fellow at the University of Exeter from June 2020 to December 2023. In this position, he continued his work in Marine Renewable Energy and contributed significantly to the field of Marine Autonomous Robotic Intervention Systems.

Dr. Zhao’s expertise was further honed during his time as a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Exeter, where he specialized in Marine Autonomous Robotic Intervention Systems. His academic journey in this field began with his PhD in Marine Engineering from Ocean University of China, which he completed between September 2013 and June 2019. His PhD research focused on the design aspects of marine engineering, laying the foundation for his future endeavours in renewable energy and marine technology.

Qualifications

Senior Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, December 2023-Present
Research Area: Marine Renewable Energy (Offshore wind farm, wave energy and etc), Marine Autonomous Robotic Intervention System, Marine structures.

Research Fellow, University of Exeter, June 2020-December 2023
Research Area: Marine Renewable Energy (Offshore wind farm, wave energy and etc), Marine Autonomous Robotic Intervention System, Marine structures.

Postdoctoral Associate, University of Exeter, June 2019-2020
Research Area: Marine Autonomous Robotic Intervention System

PhD of Marine Engineering, Ocean University of China, September 2013-June 2019
Research Title: Design, optimize, and the construct of the wave energy converters

Bachelor of Industrial Engineering, Soochow University, September 2008-June 2012
Courses: Structural Mechanics, Mechanical Design, Structure Testing, etc.

Research

Research interests

Dr. Zhao's research interests have been deeply rooted in the development of sustainable marine energy sources and the advancement of marine technology. His work in offshore wind farms and wave energy highlights his commitment to exploring renewable energy solutions. Additionally, his contributions to the field of Marine Autonomous Robotic Intervention Systems demonstrate his innovative approach to addressing challenges in marine engineering and technology.

Publications

Journals

Zhao, C., Han, M., Johanning, L., & Shi, H. (2024). Multi-freedom effects on a raft-type wave energy convertor-hydrodynamic response and energy absorption. Ocean Engineering, 305, 117964.
Zhao C, Stansby P, Johanning L. (2023) OrcaFlex predictions for a multi-float hinged WEC with nonlinear mooring systems: Elastic mooring force and dynamic motion, Ocean Engineering, volume 286, pages 115504-115504, DOI:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.115504.
Wang J, Li S, Li B, Zhao C, Cui Y. (2023) An energy-efficient hierarchical algorithm of dynamic obstacle avoidance for unmanned surface vehicle, International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, volume 15, pages 100528-100528, article no. 100528, DOI:10.1016/j.ijnaoe.2023.100528.
Hu P, Cui Y, Zhao C, Li Y, Li B. (2023) Numerical Investigation on the Hydrodynamic Response of Pentamaran—Resistance Analysis of Different Outrigger Inclination Angles, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, volume 11, no. 1, pages 186-186, DOI:10.3390/jmse11010186.
Stansby P, Draycott S, Li G, Zhao C, Carpintero Moreno E, Pillai A, Johanning L. (2022) Experimental study of mooring forces on the multi-float WEC M4 in large waves with buoy and elastic cables, Ocean Engineering, DOI:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.113049.
Wang W, Zhao C, Peng W, Ding W, Chen M, Li Y, Johanning L. (2022) Nonlinear mooring system for a ‘Sharp-Eagle’ wave energy converter, Ocean Engineering, volume 260, pages 111970-111970, DOI:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.111970.
Zhao C, Thies P, Johanning L. (2022) Offshore inspection mission modelling for an ASV/ROV system, Ocean Engineering, DOI:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.111899.
Yang R-Y, Chuang T-C, Zhao C, Johanning L. (2022) Dynamic response of an offshore floating wind turbine at accidental limit states—mooring failure event, Applied Sciences, volume 12, no. 3, pages 1525-1525, DOI:10.3390/app12031525
Zhao C, Thies P, Johanning L. (2021) Investigating the winch performance in an ASV/ROV autonomous inspection system, Applied Ocean Research, volume 115, DOI:10.1016/j.apor.2021.102827.
Zhao C, Thies P, Johanning L. (2021) ROV Launch and Recovery from an unmanned autonomous surface vessel – Hydrodynamic modelling and system integration, Ocean Engineering, volume 232, pages 1-15, article no. 109019, DOI:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.109019.
Zhao C, Thies PR, Ye Q, Lars J. (2021) System integration and coupled effects of an OWT/WEC device, Ocean Engineering, volume 220, pages 108405-108405, article no. 108405, DOI:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2020.108405.
Shi H, Li X, Zhao C, Huang B, Tao J, Zhang Y. (2020) Hydrodynamic study on eccentric pendulum wave energy converter, Taiyangneng Xuebao/Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica, volume 41, no. 4, pages 296-30
Cao F, Shi H, Zhao C, Han Z. (2020) Experimental study on a heaving buoy wave energy converter, Taiyangneng Xuebao/Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica, volume 41, no. 5, pages 244-249.
Shi H, Zhang Y, Zhao C, Li X. (2020) Experimental study of bottom-hinged flap-type wave energy converter, Taiyangneng Xuebao/Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica, volume 41, no. 6, pages 150-155.
Zhao C, Cao F, Shi H. (2020) Optimisation of heaving buoy wave energy converter using a combined numerical model, Applied Ocean Research, volume 102, DOI:10.1016/j.apor.2020.102208.
Shi H, Han Z, Zhao C. (2019) Numerical study on the optimization design of the conical bottom heaving buoy convertor, Ocean Engineering, volume 173, pages 235-243, DOI:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2018.12.061.
Shi H, Zhao C, Hann M, Greaves D, Han Z, Cao F. (2019) WHTO: A methodology of calculating the energy extraction of wave energy convertors based on wave height reduction, Energy, volume 185, pages 299-315, DOI:10.1016/j.energy.2019.07.068.
Shi H, Zhao C, Liu Z, Cao F. (2018) Study on Hydraulic System Efficiency of Heaving-Buoy Wave Energy Converter, Journal of Ocean University of China, volume 17, no. 5, pages 1044-1052, DOI:10.1007/s11802-018-3668-6.
Shi H, Li L, Zhao C. (2017) Optimization of wind-marine hybrid power system configuration based on genetic algorithm, Journal of Ocean University of China, volume 16, no. 4, pages 709-715, DOI:10.1007/s11802-017-3343-3.

Conference Papers

Zhao, C., & Johanning, L. (2023, December). Comparison of O&M Cost of Different Scenarios for a 1GW Floating Offshore Wind Farm. In International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering (Vol. 87578, p. V001T02A002). American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Gao, Y., Zhao, C., Johanning, L., & Pillai, A. C. (2023, December). Aero-Hydrodynamic Studies of a 15 MW Semi-Submersible FOWT to Assess the Suitability of the Inclusion of a Damper System. In International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering (Vol. 87578, p. V001T01A015). American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Gao Y, Zhao C, Johanning L, Pillai AC. (2023) Hydrodynamic studies of a 15 MW semi-submersible FOWT to assess the suitability of the inclusion of a damper system, 15th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, Bilbao, 3rd - 7th Sep 2023
Zhao C, Johanning L, Li G, Stansby P. (2022) Comparison of the full dynamic simulation and wave basin test of a multi-float WEC, 10th - 10th Nov 2022, Trends in Renewable Energies Offshore - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Renewable Energies Offshore, RENEW 2022, pages 293-298, DOI:10.1201/9781003360773-34
Zhao C, Thies PR, Johanning L, Cowles J. (2020) Modelling and assessment of ROV capacity within an autonomous offshore intervention system, 4th International Conference on Renewable Energies Offshore, Lisbon, 12th - 15th Oct 2020.

Chapters

Deborah Greaves, Carlos Perez-Collazo, Curran Crawford, Bradley Buckham, Vanesa Magar, Francisco Acuña, Sungwon Shin, Hongda Shi, Chenyu Zhao, Wave and Tidal Energy, Chapter 13, Regional Activities (Pages: 587-658)

Reports

Youssef, K., Chen, B., Roberts, A., Chen, J., Zhao, C., Johanning, L., Olosunde, J. (2023). FLOW farm model at specific Celtic Sea sites (beta version) EC Simulator Impact Case Study. https://celticseacluster.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ec-Simulator-Impact-Case-Study.pdf
Zhao,C , Pete Halswell , Lars Johanning , Philipp Thies .(2021). FLOTANT D.5.1 – NOVEL MOORING COMPONENTS PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY.
Zhao,C , Pete Halswell , Lars Johanning , Philipp Thies .(2021). FLOTANT D.5.6 – REPORT ON MECHANICAL POWER CABLE CHARACTERISTICS.
Zhao,C , Lars Johanning , Philipp Thies .(2021). FLOTANT D.6.4 – Proactive maintenance strategies based on failure prognostic.
Zhao,C , Lars Johanning , Philipp Thies .(2021). FLOTANT D.6.5 – O&M optimisation processes.

Profiles

Senior Research Fellow

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Qualifications

Research interests