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
Assessment of tidal stream power’s ability to enhance energy system resilience
Coles D & Adcock T (2025), Proceedings of the 16th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference
BibTeX
@inproceedings{assessmentoftid-2025/9,
title={Assessment of tidal stream power’s ability to enhance energy system resilience},
author={Coles D & Adcock T},
booktitle={European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference},
year = "2025"
}
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"
}
On tidal array layout sensitivity to regional and device model representation
Jordan C, Angeloudis A, Coles D & Johnson F (2023), Proceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, 15
BibTeX
@inproceedings{ontidalarraylay-2023/9,
title={On tidal array layout sensitivity to regional and device model representation},
author={Jordan C, Angeloudis A, Coles D & Johnson F},
year = "2023"
}
Measurements of tidal flow variability in Ramsey Sound, Pembrokeshire
Miles J, Coles D, Simmonds D, Paine A & Barr S (2023), Proceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, 15
BibTeX
@inproceedings{measurementsoft-2023/9,
title={Measurements of tidal flow variability in Ramsey Sound, Pembrokeshire},
author={Miles J, Coles D, Simmonds D, Paine A & Barr S},
year = "2023"
}
Enhancing energy system resilience using tidal stream energy
Coles D, Coyne R & Miles J (2023), Proceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, 15
BibTeX
@inproceedings{enhancingenergy-2023/9,
title={Enhancing energy system resilience using tidal stream energy},
author={Coles D, Coyne R & Miles J},
year = "2023"
}
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"
}
Future scenarios and power generation of marine energy deployment around Great Britain
Struthers I, Harrison G, Coles D, Angeloudis A & Thomson R (2022), IET Conference Proceedings, 2022(11), 223-227
BibTeX
@inproceedings{futurescenarios-2022/10,
title={Future scenarios and power generation of marine energy deployment around Great Britain},
author={Struthers I, Harrison G, Coles D, Angeloudis A & Thomson R},
pages={223-227},
year = "2022"
}
New Design Methods for Subsea Power Cables Are Helping the Global Marine Renewable Energy Industry Lower Costs and Improve Reliability
Griffiths T, Draper S, Cheng L, An H, Schläppy M-L et al. (2022), Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering - OMAE, 3
BibTeX
@inproceedings{newdesignmethod-2022/10,
title={New Design Methods for Subsea Power Cables Are Helping the Global Marine Renewable Energy Industry Lower Costs and Improve Reliability},
author={Griffiths T, Draper S, Cheng L, An H, Schläppy M-L et al.},
booktitle={Volume 3: Materials Technology; Pipelines, Risers, and Subsea Systems},
year = "2022"
}
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"
}
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.
