Working as director of the Durham Energy Institute and Chair of Renewable Energy, Professor Hogg brings a depth of experience to the roles. His background is in mechanical engineering with specific expertise in analytical, experimental and computational fluid dynamics, turbo machinery, aerodynamics, thermodynamics and heat transfer. He also has a detailed knowledge of the mechanics of wind turbines.
Professor Hogg gained his PhD from the University of Manchester and spent some time as a research fellow at Oxford University. Having worked for Alstom for several years, he returned to academia in 2010.
Professor Hogg said:
"We at the Durham University Energy Institute are very grateful for the continued support from DONG Energy. Our training and scholarship programmes offer the opportunity to enter the growing offshore wind market or start their own business in the industry. Because of its history as a hub for oil, gas and shipbuilding, the North East has a strong and suitable infrastructure, and with DONG's help we can develop the renewableenergy industry in the area."
The role is part of the growing collaboration between DONG Energy and Durham University in renewable energy research. The post was previously occupied by Professor Janusz Bialek and has been funded by DONG Energy for the past four years. Their sponsorship continues as Professor Hogg takes up the position.
The funding will support Professor Hogg's work to develop a world-class programme of research and provide leadership in the renewable energy domain as well as contributing to taught and research postgraduate training. The chair of renewable energy also includes training and scholarships for the next generation of energy experts.
Brent Cheshire, UK Country Chairman of DONG Energy, said:
"The Durham Energy Institute is one of the UK's leading research institutions and we are pleased to continue our partnership with them in sponsoring the Renewable Chair. The UK needs to be at the forefront of developing the technologies we need to support low-carbon energy and that includes academic research. We must ensure that industry and academia work together to bring down the costs of energy and to give the best value possible to the consumer in the UK as we make the transition to sustainable supplies."