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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/P029434/1
Title: Developing performance-based design for foundation systems of WIND turbines in AFRICA (WindAfrica)
Principal Investigator: Osman, Professor AS
Other Investigators:
Elshafie, Dr M Z B Jacobsz, Professor S W Zein, Dr A M
Kearsley, Professor E P Rimoy, Dr SP Augarde, Professor C
Coombs, Dr W M Biscontin, Dr G Haigh, Dr S
Elsharief, Dr A Elarabi, Professor H Abdelatif, Dr A O
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Gaia-Wind Jones & Wagener Ministry of Electricity Sudan
NEPAD WSP Group plc UK (Parsons Brinckerhoff) Zutari
Department: Engineering
Organisation: Durham, University of
Scheme: GCRF (EPSRC)
Starts: 01 May 2017 Ends: 31 July 2021 Value (£): 1,270,180
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Ground Engineering Wind Power
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
17 Mar 2017 EPSRC GCRF 1 Meeting C - 17 March 2017 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
Africa is facing the challenge of generating more power to meet existing and future demand. Currently, about one-half Africa's total population is lacking access to electricity. However, the continent is well endowed with renewable energy resources; it is estimated that about 35% of the world resources for wind energy are located in the continent. There are many challenges which hinder the development of infrastructure for wind energy in Africa. Designing suitable foundations to sustain the loads typically applied by wind turbines represents a particular challenge. Most potential locations for wind turbines in Africa are in tropical zones where fluctuation in ground water level is severe. The cycling of water levels means that many deposits of interest are unsaturated for at least part of the year. Unsaturated soils exhibit complex mechanical behaviour, coupled to changes in water content. This research aims to provide design for the foundations of wind turbines in unsaturated soils.
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