Dr Nicolas Hanousek

Job: Research Associate

Employer: Cardiff University

PhD Thesis: Numerical Modelling of Tidal Energy Devices and Structures as part of Net Zero

PhD Supervisors: Professor Reza Ahmadian and Professor Roger Falconer

Nick is currently a Research Associate in Cardiff University’s School of Engineering.  Nick is working on a project funded by Transport for Wales (TfW) which aims to develop a TfW flood forecasting system.

Nick was a PhD student on the WISE CDT programme between 2018-23 and was based at Cardiff University.  He successfully defended his PhD thesis on “Numerical Modelling of Tidal Energy Devices and Structures as part of Net Zero” on 8th December 2023.

Prior to joining WISE, Nick had graduated with an MEng in Civil Engineering from Cardiff University. His third year project analysed various tidal range power scheme options that have been proposed for the Severn estuary area using a 2D depth averaged numerical model.  

Previous Work Experience

As part of his degree, Nick undertook a year in industry at HR Wallingford where he worked within the coastal structures team; primarily building and testing physical models of coastal developments in 2D wave flume, and 3D wave basin models. He was also involved the official testing of flood protection products for the BSI Kitemark, and research testing of historic breakwaters. Nick also undertook work experience at Halcrow in Exeter which ultimately led to him pursue a career in civil engineering.

Research Interests

  • Numerical and physical modelling of water
  • Renewable energy
  • Coastal structures
  • Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics

To aid the development of a vertical axis turbine being studied at Cardiff University Nick used the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model DualSPHysics to compose a fully dynamic turbine model that allowed for realistic representation of the turbine motion – and thus flow regime, and comparable torque outputs. From this initial model the impact of design changes could be easily assessed, to help guide future flume studies and development process. This work was carried out alongside Bikash Ranabhat (WISE CDT Cohort 4) who was working on the turbine in the flume, and using ANSYS CFX.