- Q: What is your current research topic?
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My research theme is long-term prediction of whether or not ships can depart for offshore wind power generation projects. The goal is to predict one to two weeks in advance whether a specific ship can safely depart.
Various specialized ships are indispensable for the construction and maintenance of offshore wind power plants, and CTVs (Crew Transfer Vessels) in particular play an important role in transporting workers and materials to the ocean. When workers transfer to the offshore wind tower, the bow of the CTV must be pushed against the offshore wind tower by the engine's thrust to stabilize the hull, but large rocking occurs due to the influence of waves and friction. Therefore, in high wave conditions, the departure of the CTV may be canceled. By predicting whether or not the ship can depart in the long term, it is expected that it will ensure the safety of the business, optimize personnel deployment and work schedules, and even contribute to a stable power supply. Currently, the decision on whether or not to depart relies on the empirical rules of those involved in the work based on weather data. However, since the ship's rocking has a direct impact rather than wave conditions, it is thought that the decision on whether or not to depart based on the amount of rocking would be more accurate. Therefore, we are working on this theme. - Q: What motivated you to start researching this?
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I have specialized in coastal engineering and have mainly been engaged in research on disaster prevention and mitigation in coastal areas. However, when I joined the Marine Resources and Energy Division, I felt that I needed to also work on research that aligned with the direction of the department. In the midst of this, I had the opportunity to obtain experimental data on whether or not a CTV could be docked, which was carried out during a demonstration experiment of offshore wind power generation. As I handled the data, I became interested, and felt that I could conduct interesting research by utilizing the know-how I had cultivated up to that point, which was the trigger for me to undertake this research.
- Q: What is interesting, rewarding and important about research?
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- The government has already declared its intention to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Japan is a little behind in the field of offshore wind power generation, but it is also a field that is expected to become a major source of renewable energy in the future. I feel that my research can contribute even a little, and I feel that my work is very rewarding. Through several years of collaborative research, I have deepened my ties with the industry and feel that we are growing together in this field.
- Q: What are some of the challenges and difficulties you face in your research?
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In Japan, the practical application of offshore wind power generation is lagging behind, and there are few operational power generation sites, making it difficult to collect data from CTVs. As a solution, we are using our university's training boat "Hibari," a vessel of similar tonnage to collect data from a small CTV.
- Q: What kind of social impact can you expect from your research?
Please tell me about short-term (1-2 years from now) and long-term (up to 10 years from now) plans.
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?Short-term impact
If technology to predict whether a CTV can depart could be put into practical use, it would enable safer and more efficient schedule management in offshore wind power generation operations, contributing to reduced operating costs and ensuring the safety of workers. In addition, the current decision to depart, which is dependent on weather and sea conditions, would be based on objective and highly accurate data, which is expected to lead to more planned operations.
Long-term impact
Looking ahead 10 years from now, it is expected that this technology will be adopted by more offshore wind power plants and become the standard technological foundation for Japan's renewable energy projects. It is also expected to be applied to other marine projects, contributing to improving the safety and efficiency of marine transportation and marine construction. - Q: Which SDGs can your research contribute to?
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Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Improving the safety and efficiency of offshore wind power generation will promote the supply of renewable energy and contribute to the spread of clean energy.
Goal 13: "Climate action"
We will contribute to the promotion of renewable energy as a measure against climate change and support efforts toward decarbonization and achieving carbon neutrality. - Q: What is the significance of conducting research at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology?
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Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology is a university that specializes in marine fields, and its major features include extensive marine-related expertise and research infrastructure not found at other universities. For example, in research on offshore wind power generation, the university owns everything from small training boats to large training ships, making it possible to collect data and conduct experiments in actual sea areas. In addition, the university has experts in a wide range of fields, including marine resources, marine engineering, and environmental conservation, making it easy to collaborate with other fields, which is also an attractive feature.
Furthermore, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology is actively working on issues such as the sustainable use of marine resources and environmental conservation, and my research theme, the development of a system for predicting whether or not offshore wind power plants can depart, is consistent with the university's mission. With this academic background and a well-equipped facility environment, I feel that there is great significance in conducting research at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. - Q: What are your priorities and policies when conducting research?
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- What I value is a "hands-on approach." This is true for the coastal engineering research I have been working on, but I also believe that a sense of the field is extremely important when it comes to ship motion. Therefore, when conducting research, I try to go to the actual field with students and collect data while experiencing the environment and conditions. I believe that this will increase the reliability of the research. Another policy is to always be aware of the impact that the results of research will have on society. Offshore wind power generation is a field that can greatly contribute to the spread of renewable energy and measures against global warming. I believe that if my research can help develop this field even a little, I can contribute to society, and I work with that feeling in mind.
- Assistant Professor Wu Lianhui's OA paper is available here
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Paper title: Evaluation of Accessibility to Offshore Wind Turbines by Crew Transfer Vessels Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors and co-authors: Lianhui WU, Tsuyoshi IKEYA, Daisuke INAZU, Akio OKAYASU, Yukinari FUKUMOTO, Koya SATO
Published in: Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Ser. B3 (Ocean Engineering)
Publication date: November 2022
DOI: 10.2208/jscejoe.78.2_I_1
