Dr Alison Williams

Senior Lecturer

Mechanical Engineering

+44 (0) 1792 602330

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Basic Welsh Speaker

Academic Office - A_010
Ground Floor
Engineering Central
Bay Campus

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2494-1468

About

Alison has over 10 years' experience in modelling multiphysics processes with particular expertise in modelling processes involving complex flows. She has been involved in several industry led projects in the areas of wind turbines, metal processing, manufacture of electronics components and the development of ventilation systems.

As a member of the Marine Energy Research Group, Alison is currently involved in developing computational models to assess both the performance of marine energy devices and their interactions with the environment. She has also worked with a number of SME's in Wales to assess the feasibility of their devices and ideas for marine renewable energy.

Areas Of Expertise

Multi-Physics Modelling
Non-Newtonian Flow
Renewable Energy

Publications

Research Highlights

Li, X., Li, M., Wolf, J., Williams, A., Badoe, C., & Masters, I. (2024). Local and regional interactions between tidal stream turbines and coastal environment. Renewable Energy, 229, 120665
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.120665, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66491
Badoe, C., Li, X., Williams, A., & Masters, I. (2024). Output of a tidal farm in yawed flow and varying turbulence using GAD-CFD. Ocean Engineering, 294, 116736
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.116736, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65560
O'Connell, R., Kamidelivand, M., Polydoros, Y., Wright, C., Bonar, P., Williams, A., & Murphy, J. (2023). Integration of Tools for the Techno-Economic Evaluation of Fixed and Floating Tidal Energy Deployment in the Irish Sea. Energies, 16(22)
https://doi.org/10.3390/en16227526, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64947
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/22/7526
Faraggiana, E., Chapman, J., Williams, A., Whitlam, C., & Masters, I. (2022). Investigation of new layout design concepts of an array-on-device WaveSub device. Renewable Energy, 190, 501-523.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.03.126, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59821
Frost, C., Togneri, M., Jeffcoate, P., Lake, T., Boake, C., Starzmann, R., & Williams, A. (2022). A comparison of platform and sea-bed mounted flow measurement instrumentation for SME PLAT-I. International Marine Energy Journal, 5(2), 195-200.
https://doi.org/10.36688/imej.5.195-200, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61583
Badoe, C., Edmunds, M., Williams, A., Nambiar, A., Sellar, B., Kiprakis, A., & Masters, I. (2022). Robust validation of a generalised actuator disk CFD model for tidal turbine analysis using the FloWave ocean energy research facility. Renewable Energy, 190, 232-250.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.03.109, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59726
Edmunds, M., Williams, A., Masters, I., Banerjee, A., & VanZwieten, J. (2020). A spatially nonlinear generalised actuator disk model for the simulation of horizontal axis wind and tidal turbines. Energy, 194, 116803
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116803, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53115
Hughes, J., Williams, A., & Masters, I. (2020). A blind test on floats in extreme waves using a transient potential flow model. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 173(3), 132-143.
https://doi.org/10.1680/jencm.19.00037, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53948
Faraggiana, E., Chapman, J., Williams, A., Masters, I., Faraggiana, E., Williams, A., & Masters, I. (2020). Genetic based optimisation of the design parameters for an array-on-device orbital motion wave energy converter. Ocean Engineering, 218, 108251
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2020.108251, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55550
Lake, T., Hughes, J., Togneri, M., Williams, A., Jeffcoate, P., Starzmann, R., Kaufmann, N., & Masters, I. (2021). Strain gauge measurements on a full scale tidal turbine blade. Renewable Energy, 170, 985-996.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.137, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56216
Ransley, E., Brown, S., Hann, M., Greaves, D., Windt, C., Ringwood, J., Davidson, J., Schmitt, P., Yan, S., Wang, J., Wang, J., Ma, Q., Xie, Z., Giorgi, G., Hughes, J., Williams, A., Masters, I., Lin, Z., Chen, H...., & Bingham, H. (2021). Focused wave interactions with floating structures: a blind comparative study. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 174(1), 46-61.
https://doi.org/10.1680/jencm.20.00006, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56685
Todeschini, G., Coles, D., Lewis, M., Popov, I., Angeloudis, A., Fairley, I., Johnson, F., Williams, A., Robins, P., & Masters, I. (2022). Medium-term variability of the UK's combined tidal energy resource for a net-zero carbon grid. Energy, 238, 121990
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121990, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58055
Masters, I., Bird, J., Birch, B., Reader, M., Turner, W., Holland, T., Lake, T., & Williams, A. (2022). Remote river energy system: an open-source low-maintenance turbine design for remote areas. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy, 175(2), 64-80.
https://doi.org/10.1680/jener.21.00101, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58143
Zangiabadi, E., Masters, I., Williams, A., Croft, N., Malki, R., Edmunds, M., Mason-Jones, A., & Horsfall, I. (2017). Computational prediction of pressure change in the vicinity of tidal stream turbines and the consequences for fish survival rate. Renewable Energy, 101, 1141-1156.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2016.09.063, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa30212
Edmunds, M., Williams, A., Masters, I., & Croft, N. (2017). An enhanced disk averaged CFD model for the simulation of horizontal axis tidal turbines. Renewable Energy, 101, 67-81.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2016.08.007, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa29491
Togneri, M., Masters, I., Williams, A., Croft, T., Togneri, M., Edmunds, M., Zangiabadi, E., Fairley, I., Karunarathna, H., & Croft, N. (2015). A Comparison of Numerical Modelling Techniques for Tidal Stream Turbine Analysis. Energies, 8(8), 7833-7853.
https://doi.org/10.3390/en8087833, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23189
www.mdpi.com/journal/energies
Zangiabadi, E., Edmunds, M., Fairley, I., Togneri, M., Williams, A., Masters, I., & Croft, N. (2015). Computational Fluid Dynamics and Visualisation of Coastal Flows in Tidal Channels Supporting Ocean Energy Development. Energies, 8(6), 5997-6012.
https://doi.org/10.3390/en8065997, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22297
www.mdpi.com/journal/energies
Edmunds, M., Malki, R., Williams, A., Masters, I., Croft, T., Masters, I., Croft, N., & Williams, A. (2014). Aspects of tidal stream turbine modelling in the natural environment using a coupled BEM–CFD model. International Journal of Marine Energy, 7, 20-42.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijome.2014.07.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20863
Malki, R., Masters, I., Williams, A., Nick Croft, T., & Croft, N. (2014). Planning tidal stream turbine array layouts using a coupled blade element momentum – computational fluid dynamics model. Renewable Energy, 63, 46-54.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.08.039, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20865
Togneri, M., Malki, R., Williams, A., Croft, T., Togneri, M., Masters, I., Masters, I., Croft, N., & Williams, A. (2013). A coupled blade element momentum – Computational fluid dynamics model for evaluating tidal stream turbine performance. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 37(5), 3006-3020.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2012.07.025, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa12563

All Research

Journal Articles

Li, X., Li, M., Wolf, J., Williams, A., Badoe, C., & Masters, I. (2024). Local and regional interactions between tidal stream turbines and coastal environment. Renewable Energy, 229, 120665
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.120665, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66491
Badoe, C., Li, X., Williams, A., & Masters, I. (2024). Output of a tidal farm in yawed flow and varying turbulence using GAD-CFD. Ocean Engineering, 294, 116736
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.116736, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65560
O'Connell, R., Kamidelivand, M., Polydoros, Y., Wright, C., Bonar, P., Williams, A., & Murphy, J. (2023). Integration of Tools for the Techno-Economic Evaluation of Fixed and Floating Tidal Energy Deployment in the Irish Sea. Energies, 16(22)
https://doi.org/10.3390/en16227526, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64947
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/22/7526
Frost, C., Togneri, M., Jeffcoate, P., Lake, T., Boake, C., Starzmann, R., & Williams, A. (2022). A comparison of platform and sea-bed mounted flow measurement instrumentation for SME PLAT-I. International Marine Energy Journal, 5(2), 195-200.
https://doi.org/10.36688/imej.5.195-200, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61583
Faraggiana, E., Chapman, J., Williams, A., Whitlam, C., & Masters, I. (2022). Investigation of new layout design concepts of an array-on-device WaveSub device. Renewable Energy, 190, 501-523.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.03.126, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59821
Badoe, C., Edmunds, M., Williams, A., Nambiar, A., Sellar, B., Kiprakis, A., & Masters, I. (2022). Robust validation of a generalised actuator disk CFD model for tidal turbine analysis using the FloWave ocean energy research facility. Renewable Energy, 190, 232-250.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.03.109, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59726
Masters, I., Bird, J., Birch, B., Reader, M., Turner, W., Holland, T., Lake, T., & Williams, A. (2022). Remote river energy system: an open-source low-maintenance turbine design for remote areas. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy, 175(2), 64-80.
https://doi.org/10.1680/jener.21.00101, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58143
Todeschini, G., Coles, D., Lewis, M., Popov, I., Angeloudis, A., Fairley, I., Johnson, F., Williams, A., Robins, P., & Masters, I. (2022). Medium-term variability of the UK's combined tidal energy resource for a net-zero carbon grid. Energy, 238, 121990
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121990, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58055
Lake, T., Hughes, J., Togneri, M., Williams, A., Jeffcoate, P., Starzmann, R., Kaufmann, N., & Masters, I. (2021). Strain gauge measurements on a full scale tidal turbine blade. Renewable Energy, 170, 985-996.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.137, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56216
Ransley, E., Brown, S., Hann, M., Greaves, D., Windt, C., Ringwood, J., Davidson, J., Schmitt, P., Yan, S., Wang, J., Wang, J., Ma, Q., Xie, Z., Giorgi, G., Hughes, J., Williams, A., Masters, I., Lin, Z., Chen, H...., & Bingham, H. (2021). Focused wave interactions with floating structures: a blind comparative study. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 174(1), 46-61.
https://doi.org/10.1680/jencm.20.00006, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56685
Faraggiana, E., Chapman, J., Williams, A., Masters, I., Faraggiana, E., Williams, A., & Masters, I. (2020). Genetic based optimisation of the design parameters for an array-on-device orbital motion wave energy converter. Ocean Engineering, 218, 108251
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2020.108251, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55550
Hughes, J., Williams, A., & Masters, I. (2020). A blind test on floats in extreme waves using a transient potential flow model. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 173(3), 132-143.
https://doi.org/10.1680/jencm.19.00037, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53948
Edmunds, M., Williams, A., Masters, I., Banerjee, A., & VanZwieten, J. (2020). A spatially nonlinear generalised actuator disk model for the simulation of horizontal axis wind and tidal turbines. Energy, 194, 116803
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116803, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53115
Zangiabadi, E., Masters, I., Williams, A., Croft, N., Malki, R., Edmunds, M., Mason-Jones, A., & Horsfall, I. (2017). Computational prediction of pressure change in the vicinity of tidal stream turbines and the consequences for fish survival rate. Renewable Energy, 101, 1141-1156.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2016.09.063, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa30212
Edmunds, M., Williams, A., Masters, I., & Croft, N. (2017). An enhanced disk averaged CFD model for the simulation of horizontal axis tidal turbines. Renewable Energy, 101, 67-81.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2016.08.007, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa29491
Togneri, M., Masters, I., Williams, A., Croft, T., Togneri, M., Edmunds, M., Zangiabadi, E., Fairley, I., Karunarathna, H., & Croft, N. (2015). A Comparison of Numerical Modelling Techniques for Tidal Stream Turbine Analysis. Energies, 8(8), 7833-7853.
https://doi.org/10.3390/en8087833, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23189
www.mdpi.com/journal/energies
Zangiabadi, E., Edmunds, M., Fairley, I., Togneri, M., Williams, A., Masters, I., & Croft, N. (2015). Computational Fluid Dynamics and Visualisation of Coastal Flows in Tidal Channels Supporting Ocean Energy Development. Energies, 8(6), 5997-6012.
https://doi.org/10.3390/en8065997, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22297
www.mdpi.com/journal/energies
Edmunds, M., Malki, R., Williams, A., Masters, I., Croft, T., Masters, I., Croft, N., & Williams, A. (2014). Aspects of tidal stream turbine modelling in the natural environment using a coupled BEM–CFD model. International Journal of Marine Energy, 7, 20-42.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijome.2014.07.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20863
Malki, R., Masters, I., Williams, A., Nick Croft, T., & Croft, N. (2014). Planning tidal stream turbine array layouts using a coupled blade element momentum – computational fluid dynamics model. Renewable Energy, 63, 46-54.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.08.039, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20865
Masters, I., Malki, R., Williams, A., Croft, T., & Croft, N. (2013). The influence of flow acceleration on tidal stream turbine wake dynamics: A numerical study using a coupled BEM–CFD model. Applied Mathematical Modelling
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2013.06.004, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15141
Rolland, S., Newton, W., Williams, A., Croft, T., Gethin, D., Cross, M., Cross, M., Croft, N., Williams, A., & Rolland, S. (2013). Simulations technique for the design of a vertical axis wind turbine device with experimental validation. Applied Energy
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.04.026, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15625
Rolland, S., Thatcher, M., Newton, W., Williams, A., Croft, T., Gethin, D., Cross, M., Cross, M., Croft, N., Williams, A., & Rolland, S. (2013). Benchmark experiments for simulations of a vertical axis wind turbine. Applied Energy, 111, 1183-1194.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.06.042, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15624
Togneri, M., Malki, R., Williams, A., Croft, T., Togneri, M., Masters, I., Masters, I., Croft, N., & Williams, A. (2013). A coupled blade element momentum – Computational fluid dynamics model for evaluating tidal stream turbine performance. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 37(5), 3006-3020.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2012.07.025, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa12563
Deganello, D., Williams, A., Croft, T., Lubansky, A., Gethin, D., Claypole, T., Gethin, D., Croft, N., Williams, A., & Deganello, D. (2011). Level-set method for the modelling of liquid bridge formation and break-up. Computers & Fluids, 40(1), 42-51.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compfluid.2010.08.002, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15010
Deganello, D., Croft, N., Williams, A., Lubansky, A., Gethin, D., & Claypole, T. (2011). Numerical simulation of dynamic contact angle using a force based formulation. Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, 166(16), 900-907.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnnfm.2011.04.008, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14254
Willis, M., Croft, N., Lin, B., Williams, A., Mason-Jones, A., Fidler, R., Loman, J., Wooldridge, C., Thomas, S., Cook, A., Gallie, R., O’Doherty, T., O’Doherty, D., Gao, G., Ahmadian, R., Muhasilovic, M., Masters, I., Horsfall, I., Cross, M...., & Evans, P. (2010). Tidal turbine deployment in the Bristol Channel: a case study. Proceedings of the ICE - Energy, 163(3)-105.
https://doi.org/10.1680/ener.2010.163.3.93, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15621
Williams, A., Slone, A., Croft, T., Cross, M., Cross, M., Croft, N., & Williams, A. (2010). A mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian method for modelling metal extrusion processes. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 199(33-36), 2123
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2010.03.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5793
Croft, T., Cross, M., Slone, A., Williams, A., Bennett, C., Blot, P., Bannear, M., Jones, R., Cross, M., Croft, N., & Williams, A. (2009). CFD analysis of an induration cooler on an iron ore grate-kiln pelletising process. Minerals Engineering, 22(9-10), 859
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2009.03.011, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5794
Croft, T., Williams, A., Slone, A., Cross, M., Cross, M., Croft, N., & Williams, A. (2008). A two-dimensional prototype multi-physics model of the right ventricle of the heart. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, 57(5)-600.
https://doi.org/10.1002/fld.1764, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15620
McManus, K. & Williams, A. (2005). Assessing the Scalability of Multiphysics Tools for Modeling Solidification and Melting Processes on Parallel Clusters. International Journal of High Performance Computing Applications, 19(1), 1-27.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1094342005051198, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1983
Croft, N. & Williams, A. (2002). Computational modelling of metal extrusion and forging processes. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 125--126
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23538

Conference Contributions

Edussuriya, S., Williams, A., Bailey, C., & Williams, A. (2004). A Cell-Centred Finite Volume Method for Modelling Viscoelastic Flow. (pp. 47-61).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnnfm.2003.12.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1982
Phillips, T., Williams, A., & Williams, A. (2001). A Semi-Lagrangian Finite Volume Method for Newtonian Contraction Flows,. (pp. 2152-2177).
https://doi.org/10.1137/S1064827599365288, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1980

Supervision

Numerical Methods for a Novel Vertical Axis Water Turbine System (awarded 2024)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Nick Croft
Tidal Energy and Coastal Models: Improved Turbine Simulation (awarded 2023)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof Ian Masters

Taught Modules

EG-002 Foundation Mathematics for Engineers II

This module will introduce some of the key mathematical techniques used in engineering including integration and differentiation
EG-D03 MSc Dissertation - Mechanical Engineering

The module aims to develop fundamental research skills. It comprises the development of supervised research work leading to a dissertation in the field of the Master's degree programme. The specific research topic will be chosen by the student following consultation with academic staff.
EG-M83 Simulation Based Product Design

This module provides an overview of the role that simulation can play in the design process of a product. A series of lectures introduce computational modelling and the computational tools and techniques employed in the design process. The application of simulation in the design of a number of industry based research projects is presented. Computer workshops lead students in using simulation tools and applying the tools in the optimisation of the design of a product.

Dr Alison Williams

Telephone number

Email address

Welsh language proficiency

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Publications

Research Highlights

All Research

Journal Articles

Conference Contributions

Supervision

Numerical Methods for a Novel Vertical Axis Water Turbine System (awarded 2024)

Tidal Energy and Coastal Models: Improved Turbine Simulation (awarded 2023)

Taught Modules

EG-002 Foundation Mathematics for Engineers II

EG-D03 MSc Dissertation - Mechanical Engineering

EG-M83 Simulation Based Product Design