Chirag Trivedi leads the Fluid Structure Interaction Research Group, based in the Waterpower laboratory. He joined the laboratory in April 2012 as an exchange doctoral researcher, then as a Postdoctoral Fellow in August 2014, and later as an Associate Professor in July 2020. With over 15 years of experience in Francis turbines and reversible pump-turbines, Chirag coordinates the group’s activities and supervises students. He is actively involved in both numerical and experimental research, as well as in developing the test rig for the project.

Gabriele Gaiti is is a PhD candidate who joined the research group in August 2021. He conducts fundamental research on fluid-structure interactions, focusing on hydrodynamic damping on hydrofoils. Gabriele has developed a circular blade cascade for damping and vibration measurements, enabling the measurement of pressure, velocity, and strain in hydrofoil test sections. Additionally, he is conducting numerical simulations of one-way fluid-structure interactions on hydrofoils. For more detailed information, please visit the dedicated project page.

Dadi Ram Dahal is a PhD candidate who joined the research group in September 2022. He conducts fundamental research on fluid-structure interactions, with a focus on the boundary layer on resonating surfaces. Dadi has developed test rigs for boundary layer research, enabling the measurement of pressure, velocity, and strain in hydrofoil test sections. Additionally, he is conducting numerical simulations of one-way and two-way fluid-structure interactions on geometrical shapes such as circular discs and rectangular plates. For more detailed information, please visit the dedicated project page.

Johannes Djupesland is a PhD candidate working full-time on the Store2Hydro project. He joined the research group in January 2024, shortly after the project’s inception. Johannes conducts research on reversible pump-turbines, focusing on IEC standard model tests in the Waterpower Laboratory. His work includes the design and optimization of thrusters for model pump-turbines. Johannes is a key contributor to Task 2.1, playing a crucial role in advancing the project’s objectives.

Mikal Høie Tjølsen is writing master thesis on transient operation of Francis turbine. Mikal started master thesis in January 2025, and he will focus on numerical simulations with dynamic mesh. Mikal aims to move the guide vanes from the part-load to the best efficiency point of the Francis-99 turbine in the Waterpower laboratory. Mikal investigate the unsteady flow conditions in the vaneless space that will enable experimental investigations using PIV later.

Anker Moi Pedersen is currently working on his master's thesis, focusing on the transient operation of a Francis turbine. He began his thesis in January 2025 and is concentrating on numerical simulations using dynamic mesh techniques. Anker's goal is to transition the guide vanes from the no-load position to the part-load position of the Francis-99 turbine in the Waterpower Laboratory. His research aims to investigate the unsteady flow conditions in the vaneless space, which will facilitate future experimental investigations using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV).

Mathias Eikebø writes master's thesis during spring 2025. The title of the thesis is "Numerical study of reversible pump-turbine at selected operating conditions." Mathias will carry out 3D computational fluid dynamic simulations of the reversible pump-turbine at different operating conditions. Main task is to investigate the flow field in the runner and draft tube that provides required input to the thruster design. The task also includes the study of the secondary flow in the draft tube comparing different outlet profiles of the draft tube.

Gustav Oskar Ludvig Ambj̈ornsson writes master's thesis during spring 2025. The title of the thesis is "Design and optimization of rim type thruster." Gustav Oskar Ludvig Ambj̈ornsson aimed to carry out optimization of the blades needed for the rim type thruster. Gustav will use design of experiments and AI to optimize the two-dimensional profile of the blade and extend to three-dimensional profile. The final design will be simulate using ANSYS.

Kerlef Valen Kerlefson writes master's thesis during spring 2025. The title of the thesis is "Experimental study of reversible pump-turbine at selected operating conditions." Kerlef Valen Kerlefson will carry out the experiments on the reversible pump-turbine following IEC60193, including calibration of the important instruments equipped on the test rig. Main task is to determine the efficiency of the pump-turbine runner. After the efficiency measurements, Kerlef Valen Kerlefson will continue unsteady pressure measurements at other valuable operating conditions needed for the design of the thruster.

Ole Martin Fjuk writes project during spring 2025. The title of the project is "Design and optimization of rim type thruster." Ole Martin Fjuk will work with Gustav Oskar Ludvig Ambj̈ornsson for optimization of the thruster blade however, Ole Martin Fjuk will focus on other optimization methods and automation of the blade profiling and parametrization within computational fluid dynamic simulations.