Biography
Danny completed his MEng in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Manchester in 2011. After graduating he worked for 18 months in the solar industry, before completing a PhD in hydrodynamic modelling from the University of Southampton in 2016. Subsequently he won an EPSRC Doctoral Prize to undertake tidal turbine array optimisation research at Imperial College London as a Research Associate. Between 2017-2020 Danny moved into industry, working in Analyst roles for the tidal stream energy developer SIMEC Atlantis Energy, and the wind owner/operator Ventient Energy (now Nadara). He returned to academia in 2021 as Senior Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth, where he worked on the Tidal Stream Industry Energiser project (TIGER). He started as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Oxford in January 2025.
Research Interests
Danny’s primary research interest is in energy system modelling and optimisation. He has a particular interest in understanding the potential role(s) of offshore renewable energy in the transition to net-zero energy systems. He is undertaking this research in collaboration with key stakeholders including the National Energy System Operator and UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Danny’s secondary research interest is in tidal stream energy resource assessment and array optimisation. His work investigates the energy that can be extracted from tidal sites around the world, and the multi-objective optimisation of turbine arrays to consider conflicting objectives, such as energy extraction, cost of energy and environmental impact.
Research Projects
Marine energy OptimiSAtion for system securIty enhanCement (MOSAIC)
MOSAIC investigates the role(s) of tidal stream, tidal range and wave energy in overcoming energy security challenges as the UK transitions to a net-zero energy system.
Research Groups
Related Academics
Latest Publications
Sheared turbulent flows and wake dynamics of an idled floating tidal turbine.
Lieber L, Fraser S, Coles D & Nimmo-Smith WAM (2024), Nature communications, 15(1), 8244
BibTeX
@article{shearedturbulen-2024/9,
title={Sheared turbulent flows and wake dynamics of an idled floating tidal turbine.},
author={Lieber L, Fraser S, Coles D & Nimmo-Smith WAM},
journal={Nature communications},
volume={15},
pages={8244},
year = "2024"
}
UK studies on the wider energy system benefits of tidal stream
Pudjianto D, Frost C, Coles D, Angeloudis A, Smart G et al. (2023), Energy Advances, 2(6), 789-796
BibTeX
@article{ukstudiesonthew-2023/6,
title={UK studies on the wider energy system benefits of tidal stream},
author={Pudjianto D, Frost C, Coles D, Angeloudis A, Smart G et al.},
journal={Energy Advances},
volume={2},
pages={789-796},
publisher={Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)},
year = "2023"
}
Impacts of tidal stream power on energy system security: An Isle of Wight case study
Coles D, Wray B, Stevens R, Crawford S, Pennock S et al. (2023), Applied Energy, 334, 120686
BibTeX
@article{impactsoftidals-2023/3,
title={Impacts of tidal stream power on energy system security: An Isle of Wight case study},
author={Coles D, Wray B, Stevens R, Crawford S, Pennock S et al.},
journal={Applied Energy},
volume={334},
pages={120686},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2023"
}
Drone-based large-scale particle image velocimetry applied to tidal stream energy resource assessment
Fairley I, Williamson BJ, McIlvenny J, King N, Masters I et al. (2022), Renewable Energy, 196, 839-855
BibTeX
@article{dronebasedlarge-2022/8,
title={Drone-based large-scale particle image velocimetry applied to tidal stream energy resource assessment},
author={Fairley I, Williamson BJ, McIlvenny J, King N, Masters I et al.},
journal={Renewable Energy},
volume={196},
pages={839-855},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2022"
}
Temporal complementarity of marine renewables with wind and solar generation: Implications for GB system benefits
Pennock S, Coles D, Angeloudis A, Bhattacharya S & Jeffrey H (2022), Applied Energy, 319, 119276
BibTeX
@article{temporalcomplem-2022/8,
title={Temporal complementarity of marine renewables with wind and solar generation: Implications for GB system benefits},
author={Pennock S, Coles D, Angeloudis A, Bhattacharya S & Jeffrey H},
journal={Applied Energy},
volume={319},
pages={119276},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2022"
}
Combining shallow-water and analytical wake models for tidal array micro-siting
Jordan C, Dundovic D, Fragkou AK, Deskos G, Coles DS et al. (2022), Journal of Ocean Engineering and Marine Energy, 8(2), 193-215
BibTeX
@article{combiningshallo-2022/5,
title={Combining shallow-water and analytical wake models for tidal array micro-siting},
author={Jordan C, Dundovic D, Fragkou AK, Deskos G, Coles DS et al.},
journal={Journal of Ocean Engineering and Marine Energy},
volume={8},
pages={193-215},
publisher={Springer Nature},
year = "2022"
}
On nodal modulations of tidal-stream energy resource in north-western Europe
Thi??bot J, Guillou N, Coles D & Guillou S (2022), Applied Ocean Research, 121, 103091
BibTeX
@article{onnodalmodulati-2022/4,
title={On nodal modulations of tidal-stream energy resource in north-western Europe},
author={Thi??bot J, Guillou N, Coles D & Guillou S},
journal={Applied Ocean Research},
volume={121},
pages={103091},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2022"
}
Medium-term variability of the UK's combined tidal energy resource for a net-zero carbon grid
Todeschini G, Coles D, Lewis M, Popov I, Angeloudis A et al. (2022), Energy, 238, 121990
BibTeX
@article{mediumtermvaria-2022/1,
title={Medium-term variability of the UK's combined tidal energy resource for a net-zero carbon grid},
author={Todeschini G, Coles D, Lewis M, Popov I, Angeloudis A et al.},
journal={Energy},
volume={238},
pages={121990},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2022"
}
A review of the UK and British Channel Islands practical tidal stream energy resource
Coles D, Angeloudis A, Greaves D, Hastie G, Lewis M et al. (2021), Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 477(2255)
BibTeX
@article{areviewoftheuka-2021/11,
title={A review of the UK and British Channel Islands practical tidal stream energy resource},
author={Coles D, Angeloudis A, Greaves D, Hastie G, Lewis M et al.},
journal={Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences},
volume={477},
number={20210469},
publisher={Royal Society},
year = "2021"
}
Efficient economic optimisation of large-scale tidal stream arrays
Goss ZL, Coles DS, Kramer SC & Piggott MD (2021), Applied Energy, 295, 116975
BibTeX
@article{efficienteconom-2021/8,
title={Efficient economic optimisation of large-scale tidal stream arrays},
author={Goss ZL, Coles DS, Kramer SC & Piggott MD},
journal={Applied Energy},
volume={295},
pages={116975},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2021"
}
Public and Policy Engagement
Danny's research was discussed in a House of Commons debate on funding for tidal stream energy.
His work has also featured in articles published by the BBC, The Guardian, New Scientist and The Conversation, and a TEDx talk on energy systems.
