Staff profile

Michael Anya is a first year PhD student in the Fluid Mechanics Node at the Durham University, sponsored by the Aura Centre for Doctoral Training. He is a Chartered Engineer with a career spanning over 15 years in the Oil and Gas as well as Offshore Wind Sector. 

Michael Anya possesses a strong academic foundation having earned a First Class Honours BEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sunderland. He further enhanced his knowledge with an MSc in Subsea Engineering and Management from Newcastle University. His current research focuses on the Impact of biofouling on dynamic subsea cable motion characterisation for floating offshore wind turbine technology.

Research Project

The incorporation of renewable energy sources into the UK's energy mix has sparked a significant investigation into offshore solutions. The vast wind resources and limited land restrictions present favourable prospects for sustainable electricity generation. Within the realm of offshore technologies, dynamic subsea cables and floating wind systems are crucial components that facilitate power transmission and provide structural support for turbines. Nevertheless, both encounter unique obstacles that can greatly affect their form, fitness and function. One of the significant challenges faced by the dynamic submarine cable is the widespread impact of biofouling. The research will examine the intricate connection between the impact of biofouling on subsea cables as well as characterize the dynamics of the cables' motion in floating wind systems. By linking these fields of study, this research is expected to produce holistic strategies to enhance offshore renewable energy systems' effectiveness, reliability, and performance. The research will incorporate field data and numerical modelling to predict dynamic cable system response to wind, waves and currents.