Contact Dr Luofeng Huang
Background
Dr Luofeng Huang is a UK Senior Lecturer (equivalent to an Associate Professor in most of the world) and has been endorsed by Forbes as a "30 under 30" in Europe. He graduated from University College London (UCL) with a PhD related to ships and marine structures. In recent years, he has adapted relevant knowledge to renewable energy systems in seas, such as floating solar farms, wave/tidal energy devices, and offshore wind turbines.
Additionally, Dr Huang is a Deputy Editor of the Elsevier journal Ocean Engineering, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), a Member of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (MIMarEST), a Chartered Engineer (CEng), and a Chartered Marine Engineer (CMarEng).
Research opportunities
Dr Huang is keen on interdisciplinary research, backed by a wide network and trustworthy playmaker character. He has been managing or working within projects funded by UKRI, Innovate UK, EPSRC, Royal Society, EU Horizon, British Council, Lloyds Register Foundation, Department for Transport, alongside a variety of industrial projects. As Principal Investigator (PI), Luofeng has successfully secured research projects with over £1 million in funds.
The research coverage of Dr Huang spreads across energies, structures, and fluids, especially their interactions. He has expertise in coastal and offshore engineering, particularly interested in the design, prototyping, simulation, experiments, construction, operation and sustainability of relevant renewable energy systems. Dr Huang focused on developing his research skills in high-fidelity simulation techniques, such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computational Solid Mechanics (CSM) and Fluid-Structure Interactions (FSI). Since joining Cranfield University, he has also been developing various experimental facilities to support the ever-evolving research needs.
Current activities
Dr Huang is currently the PI of the Innovate UK Project - Solar2Wave. In this project, he coordinates a large team of over 30 members from both academia and industry. The project aspires to place floating solar panels on seas to save scarce land and lake space, whilst addressing a key challenge - designing a novel solar farm that can remain intact in the destructive power of ocean waves. This innovation will be provided as a clean and affordable energy solution for remote Indonesian islands, where millions of residents still lack access to electricity. Solar2Wave has been featured by the BBC, the Energy Institute, and TED. The team is constructing and operating Indonesia's first ocean-based solar power plant (as well as one of the world's first). Read more about this project at: https://solar2wave.co.id/
Clients
Dr Luofeng Huang has enthusiasm for transforming his research innovations into real-world products and operations, so he works closely with the industry. For example, he is in long-term partnerships with Achelous Energy and HelioRec.
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Wei Y, Khojasteh D, Windt C & Huang L. (2025). An interdisciplinary literature review of floating solar power plants. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 209
- Ding H, Huang L & Zang J. (2025). Nonlinear hydroelastic responses of a submerged horizontal plate under focused wave conditions: a cumulative fatigue perspective. Physics of Fluids, 37(1)
- Yuan X, Xu M, Hou Z, Chen W, Huang Y, .... (2025). Enhanced data-driven economic assessment of fuel cell electric buses utilizing an improved Markov chain Monte Carlo approach. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 102
- Huang L, Elzaabalawy H, Sarhaan M, Sherif A, Ding H, .... (2025). Developing reliable floating solar systems on seas: a review. Ocean Engineering, 322
- Ramsy de Fretes P, Izzuddin Jifaturrohman M, Putranto T, Aria Pria Utama IK & Huang L. (2025). A study of the motion response of floating solar PV and cross-flow savonius turbine in moored conditions. BIO Web of Conferences, 157
- Yang Y, Huang L & Meylan MH. (2025). Wave interaction with multiple floating elastic plates with arbitrary constraints near a sloping beach. Physics of Fluids, 37(3)
- Ou B, Cerik BC & Huang L. (2025). Seakeeping analysis of catamaran and barge floats for floating solar arrays: a CFD study with experimental validation. Ocean Engineering, 326
- Ibrahim KA, Maréchal TL, Luk P, Qin Q, Huang L, .... (2025). Floating solar wireless power transfer system for electric ships: design and laboratory tests. Energy Conversion and Management, 332
- Lyu X, Mi C, Collions S, Chen W, Yang D, .... (2025). Design and experimental tests for novel shapes of floating OWC wave energy converters with the additional purpose of breakwater. Ocean Engineering, 328
- Jifaturrohman MI, Utama IKAP, Putranto T, Setyawan D, Suastika IK, .... (2025). Hydrodynamic Modeling of Unstretched Length Variations in Nonlinear Catenary Mooring Systems for Floating PV Installations in Small Indonesian Islands. Modelling, 6(2)
- Benites-Munoz D, Huang L & Thomas G. (2024). Optimal array arrangement of oscillating wave surge converters: an analysis based on three devices. Renewable Energy, 222
- Chen W, Huang Z, Zhang Y, Wang L & Huang L. (2024). Hydrodynamic performance of a three-unit heave wave energy converter array under different arrangement. Renewable Energy, 221
- Wei Y, Yu S, Li X, Zhang C, Ning D, .... (2024). Hydrodynamic analysis of a heave-hinge wave energy converter combined with a floating breakwater. Ocean Engineering, 293
- Esparza I, Olábarri Candela Á, Huang L, Yang Y, Budiono C, .... (2024). Floating PV systems as an alternative power source: case study on three representative islands of Indonesia. Sustainability, 16(3)
- Utama IKAP, Setyawan D, Riyadi S, Hetharia WR, Thomas GA, .... (2024). Managing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesian sea transportation. Journal of Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 5(1)
- Wei Y, Zou D, Zhang D, Zhang C, Ou B, .... (2024). Motion characteristics of a modularized floating solar farm in waves. Physics of Fluids, 36(3)
- Yang Y, Ren K, Zhou B, Sun SY & Huang L. (2024). Wave interaction with multiple adjacent floating solar panels with arbitrary constraints. Physics of Fluids, 36(3)
- Chen W, Xie W, Zhang Y, Wang C, Wang L, .... (2024). Improving wave energy conversion performance of a floating BBDB-OWC system by using dual chambers and a novel enhancement plate. Energy Conversion and Management, 307
- Wei Y, Wang C, Chen W & Huang L. (2024). Array analysis on a seawall type of deformable wave energy converters. Renewable Energy, 225
- Luo C & Huang L. (2024). Energy efficiency analysis of a deformable wave energy converter using fully coupled dynamic simulations. Oceans, 5(2)
- Zheng Z, Jin P, Huang Q, Zhou B, Xiang R, .... (2024). Motion response and energy harvesting of multi-module floating photovoltaics in seas. Ocean Engineering, 310, Part 2
- Wang C, Wei Y, Chen W & Huang L. (2024). Hydroelastic modelling of a deformable wave energy converter including power take-off. Marine Structures, 98
- Cerik BC & Huang L. (2024). Recent advances in mechanical analysis and design of dynamic power cables for floating offshore wind turbines. Ocean Engineering, 311, Part 1(Part 1)
- Wang C, Wei Y, Chen W & Huang L. (2024). Interactive effects of deformable wave energy converters operating in close proximity. Energy, 308
- Huang L, Yang Y, Khojasteh D, Ou B & Luo Z. (2024). Floating solar power loss due to motions induced by ocean waves: an experimental study. Ocean Engineering, 312, Part 1
- Yu X, Xu X, Huang L, Qin Q & Zhang C. (2024). Compression after impact behavior of asymmetrically tapered laminates: experimental and numerical studies. Thin-Walled Structures, 205, Part B
- Yang Y & Huang L. (2024). Waves and structural strain induced by a uniform current flow underneath a semi-infinite floating solar coverage. Physical Review Fluids, 9(9)
- Jifaturrohman MI, Utama IKAP, Putranto T, Setyawan D & Huang L. (2024). A study into the correlation between single array-hull configurations and wave spectrum for floating solar photovoltaic systems. Ocean Engineering, 312
- Yang Y, Mi C, Ou B, Wong A, Duffy JG, .... (2024). A comparative experimental study on the hydrodynamic performance of two floating solar structures with a breakwater in waves. Solar Energy, 284
- Zou D, Wei Y, Ou B, Zhang C, Chu S, .... (2024). Effects of a breakwater on a floating solar farm in heading and oblique waves. Physics of Fluids, 36(11)
- Lyu X, Yang Y, Mi C, Tang CM, Adeboye L, .... (2024). A symmetric experimental study of the interaction between regular waves and a pontoon breakwater with novel fin attachments. Symmetry, 16(12)
- Jifaturrohman MI, Utama IKAP, Putranto T, Setyawan D & Huang L. (2024). A study into the effect of Hull Configuration on the performance of floating solar PV structure. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, 124(2)
- Huang L, Pena B & Thomas G. (2023). Towards a full-scale CFD guideline for simulating a ship advancing in open water. Ship Technology Research, 70(3)
- Ni B-Y, Tan H, Di S-C, Zhang C-X, Li Z, .... (2023). When does a light sphere break ice plate most by using its net buoyance?. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 11(2)
- Li Z, Ding L, Huang L, Ringsberg JW, Gong H, .... (2023). Cost-benefit analysis of a trans-Arctic alternative route to the Suez Canal: a method based on high-fidelity ship performance, weather, and ice forecast models. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 11(4)
- Huang L, Hetharia W, Grech La Rosa A, Tavakoli S, Khojasteh D, .... (2023). Offshore COVID-19 risk assessment based on a fishing vessel. Ocean Engineering, 285, Pt 2(October)
- Wei Y, Yu S, Jin P, Huang L, Elsherbiny K, .... (2023). Coupled analysis between catenary mooring and VLFS with structural hydroelasticity in waves. Marine Structures, 93(January)
- Zhang C, Wang P, Huang L, Zhang M, Wu H, .... (2023). Resonance mechanism of hydroelastic response of multi-patch floating photovoltaic structure in water waves over stepped seabed. Physics of Fluids, 35(10)
- Marjan A & Huang L. (2023). Topology optimisation of offshore wind turbine jacket foundation for fatigue life and mass reduction. Ocean Engineering, 289
- Khojasteh D, Shamsipour A, Huang L, Tavakoli S, Haghani M, .... (2023). A large-scale review of wave and tidal energy research over the last 20 years. Ocean Engineering, 282(August)
- Wei Y, Ou B, Wang J, Yang L, Luo Z, .... (2023). Simulation of a floating solar farm in waves with a novel sun-tracking system. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1288(1)
- Xue Y, Zhong K, Ni B-Y, Li Z, Bergstrom M, .... (2023). A combined experimental and numerical approach to predict ship resistance and power demand in broken ice. Ocean Engineering, 292
- Huang L, Riyadi S, Utama IKAP, Li M, Sun P, .... (2022). COVID-19 transmission inside a small passenger vessel: risks and mitigation. Ocean Engineering, Ocean Engineering(July)
- Huang L, Igrec B & Thomas G. (2022). New tools to generate realistic ice floe fields for computational models. Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, 144(4)
- Tavakoli S, Huang L, Azhari F & Babanin AV. (2022). Viscoelastic wave–ice interactions: a computational fluid–solid dynamic approach. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(9)
- Huang L, Li F, Li M, Khojasteh D, Luo Z, .... (2022). An investigation on the speed dependence of ice resistance using an advanced CFD+DEM approach based on pre-sawn ice tests. Ocean Engineering, 264(November)
- Hu Z, Huang L & Li Y. (2022). Fully-coupled hydroelastic modeling of a deformable wall in waves. Coastal Engineering, 179(January)
- Zhang C-W, Zhuang Q-Z, Li J-X, Huang L & Ning D-Z. (2022). Hydroelastic investigation on a pile breakwater integrated with a flexible tail for long-wave attenuation. China Ocean Engineering, 36(5)
- Li F & Huang L. (2022). A Review of Computational Simulation Methods for a Ship Advancing in Broken Ice. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(2)
- Huang L, Li Y, Benites-Munoz D, Windt Windt C, Feichtner A, .... (2022). A review on the modelling of wave-structure interactions based on OpenFOAM. OpenFOAM® Journal, 2(August)
- Huang L, Pena B, Liu Y & Anderlini E. (2022). Machine learning in sustainable ship design and operation: a review. Ocean Engineering, 266
- Grech La Rosa A, Ryan C, Thomas G, Huang L, Hetharia W, .... (2022). DESIGN OF A MOBILE APPLICATION TO ASSESS THE STABILITY OF SMALL FISHING BOATS. ICCAS 2022
- Huang L & Li Y. (2022). Design of the submerged horizontal plate breakwater using a fully coupled hydroelastic approach. Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 37(7)
- Pena B & Huang L. (2021). A review on the turbulence modelling strategy for ship hydrodynamic simulations. Ocean Engineering, 241
- Huang L, Li Z, Ryan C, Ringsberg JW, Pena B, .... (2021). Ship resistance when operating in floating ice floes: Derivation, validation, and application of an empirical equation. Marine Structures, 79
- Rehman FU, Huang L, Anderlini E & Thomas G. (2021). Hydrodynamic Modelling for a Transportation System of Two Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: Semi-Empirical, Numerical and Experimental Analyses. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 9(5)
- Huang L, Tavakoli S, Li M, Dolatshah A, Pena B, .... (2021). CFD analyses on the water entry process of a freefall lifeboat. Ocean Engineering, 232
- Li Z, Ryan C, Huang L, Ding L, Ringsberg JW, .... (2021). A comparison of two ship performance models against full-scale measurements on a cargo ship on the Northern Sea Route. Ships and Offshore Structures, 16(sup1)
- Pena B & Huang L. (2021). Wave-GAN: A deep learning approach for the prediction of nonlinear regular wave loads and run-up on a fixed cylinder. Coastal Engineering, 167
- Huang L, Li M, Romu T, Dolatshah A & Thomas G. (2021). Simulation of a ship operating in an open-water ice channel. Ships and Offshore Structures, 16(4)
- Ryan C, Huang L, Li Z, Ringsberg JW & Thomas G. (2021). An Arctic ship performance model for sea routes in ice-infested waters. Applied Ocean Research, 117
- Huang L, Tuhkuri J, Igrec B, Li M, Stagonas D, .... (2020). Ship resistance when operating in floating ice floes: A combined CFD&DEM approach. Marine Structures, 74
- Benites-Munoz D, Huang L, Anderlini E, Marín-Lopez JR & Thomas G. (2020). Hydrodynamic Modelling of An Oscillating Wave Surge Converter Including Power Take-Off. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 8(10)
- Khojasteh D, Tavakoli S, Dashtimanesh A, Dolatshah A, Huang L, .... (2020). Numerical analysis of shipping water impacting a step structure. Ocean Engineering, 209
- Huang L, Ren K, Li M, Tuković Ž, Cardiff P, .... (2019). Fluid-structure interaction of a large ice sheet in waves. Ocean Engineering, 182
- Huang L & Thomas G. (2019). Simulation of Wave Interaction With a Circular Ice Floe. Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, 141(4)
Conference Papers
- Huang L. (2024). Energy fluctuation of floating photovoltaic solar panel due to wave-induced motions
- Jifaturrohman MI, Putranto T, Utama IKAP & Huang L. (2024). Effect of platform configurations and environmental conditions on the performance of floating solar photovoltaic structures
- Dhaifullah MH, Jifaturrohman MI, Putranto T, Setyawan D, Utama IKAP, .... (2024). Enhancing pure oscillatory response motion performance: innovative designs for semi-submersible and catamaran floating photovoltaic systems (FPVs) in various sea-state conditions
- Li Y, Hu Z & Huang L. (2022). Hydroelastic Simulation of Breaking Wave Impact on a Flexible Coastal Seawall
- Benites-Munoz D, Thomas G & Huang L. (2022). The Influence of Different Configurations and Spacings on the Performance of Oscillating Wave Surge Converters When Operating in Wave Farms
- Huang L, Riyadi S, Utama IKAP & Thomas G. (2022). Computational Study on the Transmission of COVID-19 Virus Inside a Ship
- Huang L, Li F & Li M. (2022). Simulation of a Ship Advancing in Pre-Sawn Ice
- Grande D, Huang L, Harris CA, Wu P, Thomas G, .... (2021). Open-source Simulation of Underwater Gliders
- Tavakoli S, Huang L & Babanin AV. (2021). Drift Motion of Floating Bodies Under the Action of Green Water
- Thomas G, Huang L, Ryan C, Utama IKAP, Riyadi S, .... (2021). SAFER ON BOARD ENVIRONMENTS FOR INDONESIAN SEAFARERS AND FISHERS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 AND BEYOND
- Huang L, Li Z, Ryan C, Li M, Ringsberg J, .... (2021). Ship Resistance When Operating in Floating Ice Floes: A Derivation of Empirical Equations
- Huang L, Ryan C, Igrec B, Grech La Rosa A, Stagonas D, .... (2020). Ship Resistance When Operating in Floating Ice Floes: A Derivation of Empirical Equations
- Benites-Munoz D, Huang L, Anderlini E, Marín-López J & Thomas G. (2020). Simulation of the wave evolution and power capture of an oscillating wave surge converter
- Pena B, Huang L & Ahlgren F. (2020). A review on applications of machine learning in shipping sustainability
- Huang L, Li M, Igrec B, Cardiff P, Stagonas D, .... (2019). Simulation of a ship advancing in floating ice floes
