Keeta Chapman-Smith
PhD
Modelling Tropical Cyclones for Safer Farm Design and Operation
Host Organisation
Technical University of Denmark
Company
Ørsted
Project Description
The subject of tropical cyclones and its relevance for wind farm design and operation are within the research field of the department. More and more wind farms are being built and planned in tropical cyclone affected areas, the impact from one of the most damaging weather phenomena has however not been sufficiently addressed and investigated on the farm design and turbine operation, leaving a gray area in international standard guidelines. One of the hypotheses is that the structures of tropical cyclones in different regions are different, combined with land-water interaction, and some modeling approaches are more suitable than the others for one particular region. Another hypothesis is that an optimization of the calculations (in terms of accuracy and uncertainties) will improve the future description for Standards.
Supervisors
Xiaoli Guo Larsén
Mark Brodersen
Morten Niels Nielsen
Jana Fischereit
Background
I am from New Zealand, born and raised in a town called Napier located in the North Island. I moved to the South Island to a town called Dunedin to study Physics at The University of Otago. My research during my master’s studies was focused on understanding the atmospheric impact from substorm-induced electron precipitation. Substorms are a type of space storm that also cause the Northern and Southern lights. I finished my master’s studies in November 2021 (formally graduating in December 2022) before starting work in Auckland as a Data Scientist for a small data consultancy firm. While working as a Data Scientist I was exposed to a range of clients and was able to develop my communication skills.
I have always wanted to work in the renewable sector. The problem that I have always faced, is in which area and in what capacity. When I came across this PhD, I knew that it was the perfect fit. It coupled working with atmospheric data, renewable energy, a touch of economics and in research. Another significant positive of this program is that it partners with industry. By partnering with industry, I will be able to undertake in-depth research while keeping it aligned with what industry is trying to learn from this project. I also wanted to study a PhD abroad so that I can learn different ways of working and understand how other countries are tackling problems.