Professor Simon Neill

Professor in Physical Oceanography

Contact info

Room: Room 212, Marine Centre Wales     Phone: 01248 383938

Email: s.p.neill@bangor.ac.uk

Web: Google ScholarResearchGateAmazon Author PageTwitter; Google Knowledge Panel

I am professor in physical oceanography, specializing in ocean renewable energy: characterizing the wave and tidal energy resource, understanding wave-tide interaction, optimizing grid integration of arrays of marine renewable energy devices, and quantifying the environmental impacts of extracting energy from the oceans. I am founder and course director of an MSc in Marine Renewable Energy, and committee member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), working on revising IEC Technical Specification 62600-201: Tidal Energy Resource Assessment and Characterization. I am a member of the editorial board of the Elsevier journal Renewable Energy, have written a textbook on marine energy "Fundamentals of Ocean Renewable Energy: Generating Electricity from the Sea", and am lead sediment scientist at FORCE (Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy). I also have other shelf sea research interests, including palaeoceanography, sediment dynamics, and simulating the dispersal of marine organisms and microplastics.

I currently lead a wide range of research projects at Bangor University, including:

Research Areas

  1. Article › Research › Peer-reviewed
  2. Published

    Evidence of potential synergy between aquaculture and offshore renewable energy

    Demmer, J., Lewis, M., Robins, P. & Neill, S., 30 Sept 2022, In: International Marine Energy Journal. 5, 2

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  3. Published

    Evolution of bed shear stress distribution over the northwest European shelf seas during the last 12,000 years.

    Neill, S. P. & Scourse, J. D., 1 Jan 2010, In: Ocean Dynamics. 60, 5, p. 1139-1156

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  4. Published

    Global riverine theoretical hydrokinetic resource assessment

    Ridgill, M., Neill, S., Lewis, M., Robins, P. & Patil, S., 1 Aug 2021, In: Renewable Energy. 174, p. 654-665

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  5. Published

    Habitat structure shapes temperate reef assemblages across regional environmental gradients

    Jackson-Bue, T., Evans, A. J., Lawrence, P., Brooks, P., Ward, S., Jenkins, S., Moore, P. J., Crowe, T., Neill, S. & Davies, A., 1 Jan 2024, In: Science of the Total Environment. 167494.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  6. Published

    Hydrokinetic energy conversion: A global riverine perspective

    Ridgill, M., Lewis, M., Robins, P., Patil, S. & Neill, S., Jul 2022, In: Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy. 14, 4, 044501.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  7. Published

    Identification of genetically and oceanographically distinct blooms of jellyfish

    Lee, P. L., Dawson, M. N., Neill, S. P., Robins, P. E., Houghton, J. D., Doyle, T. K. & Hays, G. C., 1 Mar 2013, In: Journal of the Royal Society Interface. 10, 80, p. 20120920

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  8. Published

    Impact of climate change on UK estuaries: A review of past trends and potential projections

    Robins, P. E., Skov, M. W., Lewis, M. J., Gimenez, L., Davies, A. G., Malham, S. K., Neill, S. P., McDonald, J. E., Whitton, T. A., Jackson, S. E. & Jago, C. F., 17 Dec 2015, In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 169, p. 119-135

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  9. Published

    Impact of tidal energy converter (TEC) arrays on the dynamics of headland sand banks

    Neill, S. P., Jordan, J. R. & Couch, S. J., 1 Jan 2012, In: Renewable Energy. 37, 1, p. 387-397

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  10. Published

    Impact of tidal-stream arrays in relation to the natural variability of sedimentary processes

    Robins, P. E., Neill, S. P. & Lewis, M. J., 8 Aug 2014, In: Renewable Energy. 72, p. 311-321

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  11. Published

    In situ measurements of spring-neap variations to unsteady island wake development in the Firth of Forth, Scotland.

    Neill, S. P. & Elliott, A. J., 1 Jun 2004, In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 60, 2, p. 229-239

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  12. Published

    Influence of storm surge on tidal range energy

    Lewis, M., Angeloudis, A., Robins, P., Evans, P. S. & Neill, S., Mar 2017, In: Energy. 122, p. 25-36

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  13. Published

    Inter-annual and inter-seasonal variability of the Orkney wave power resource

    Neill, S. P., Lewis, M. J., Hashemi, M. R., Slater, E., Lawrence, J. & Spall, S. A., 1 Aug 2014, In: Applied Energy. 132, p. 339-348

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  14. Published

    Inter-annual variability of two contrasting offshore sand banks in a region of extreme tidal range

    Lewis, M. J., Neill, S. P. & Elliott, A. J., 10 Dec 2014, In: Journal of Coastal Research. 31, 2, p. 265-275

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  15. Published

    Intercomparison of surface velocimetry techniques for drone-based marine current characterization

    Fairley, I., King, N., McIlvenny, J., Lewis, M., Neill, S., Williamson, B., Masters, I. & Reeve, D. E., 1 Apr 2024, In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 299, 108682.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  16. Published

    Larval dispersal from an energetic tidal channel and implications for blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) shellfisheries

    Demmer, J., Neill, S., Andres, O., Malham, S., Jones, T. & Robins, P., 1 Dec 2022, In: Aquaculture International. 30, 6, p. 2969-2995

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  17. Published

    Metagenetic analysis of patterns of distribution and diversity of marine meiobenthic eukaryotes

    Fonseca, V. G., Carvalho, G. R., Nichols, B., Quince, C., Johnson, H. F., Neill, S. P., Lambshead, J. D., Thomas, W. K., Power, D. M. & Creer, S., 25 Aug 2014, In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. 23, 11, p. 1293–1302

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  18. Published

    Navigating the tides of change: The crucial role of wave and tidal marine renewable energy resource characterization and assessment research

    Jones, C., Yang, Z. & Neill, S., 7 Feb 2024, In: Renewable Energy. 223, 120020.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  19. Published

    Numerical modelling of hydrodynamics and tidal energy extraction in the Alderney Race: a review

    Thiebot, J., Coles, D., Bennis, A-C., Guillou, N., Neill, S., Guillou, S. & Piggott, M., 21 Aug 2020, In: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. 378, 2178, 20190498.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  20. Published

    Observations and numerical modelling of a non-buoyant front in the Tay Estuary, Scotland.

    Neill, S. P., Copeland, G. J., Ferrier, G. & Folkard, A. M., 1 Jan 2004, In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 59, 1, p. 173-184

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  21. Published

    Observations and simulations of an unsteady island wake in the Firth of Forth, Scotland.

    Neill, S. P. & Elliott, A. J., 1 Jul 2004, In: Ocean Dynamics. 54, 3-4, p. 324-332

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  22. Published

    Observing estuarine currents and fronts in the Tay Estuary, Scotland, using an airborne SAR with along-track interferometry (ATI)

    Ferrier, G., Macklin, J. T., Neill, S. P., Folkard, A. M., Copeland, G. J. & Anderson, J. M., 20 Oct 2005, In: International Journal of Remote Sensing. 26, 20, p. 4399-4404

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  23. Published

    Optimal phasing of the European tidal stream resource using the greedy algorithm with penalty function

    Neill, S. P., Lewis, M. J. & Hashemi, M. R., 22 Jul 2014, In: Energy. 73, p. 997-1006

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  24. Published

    Physical and biological controls on larval dispersal and connectivity in a highly energetic shelf sea

    Robins, P. E., Neill, S. P., Gimenez, L., Jenkins, S. R. & Malham, S. K., 1 Mar 2013, In: Limnology and Oceanography. 58, 2, p. 505-524

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  25. Published

    Power variability of tidal-stream energy and implications for electricity supply

    Lewis, M., McNaughton, J., Márquez-Dominguez, C., Todeschini, G., Togneri, M., Masters, I., Allmark, M., Stallard, T., Neill, S., Goward Brown, A. & Robins, P., 15 Sept 2019, In: Energy. 183, p. 1061-1074

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  26. Published

    Realistic wave conditions and their influence on quantifying the tidal stream energy resource

    Lewis, M. J., Neill, S. P. & Hashemi, M. R., 8 Oct 2014, In: Applied Energy. 136, p. 495-508

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  27. Published

    Research priorities for assessing potential impacts of emerging marine renewable energy technologies: Insights from developments in Wales (UK)

    Roche, RC., Walker-Springett, K., Robins, PE., Jones, J., Veneruso, G., Whitton, TA., Piano, M., Ward, SL., Duce, CE., Waggitt, JJ., Walker-Springett, G., Neill, S., Lewis, M. & King, J., 1 Dec 2016, In: Renewable Energy. 99, December, p. 1327-1341 15 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  28. Published

    Resource assessment for future generations of tidal-stream energy arrays

    Lewis, M., Neill, S. P., Robins, P. E. & Hashemi, M. R., 1 Apr 2015, In: Energy. 83, p. 403-415

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  29. Published

    Second-generation environmental sequencing unmasks marine metazoan biodiversity.

    Fonseca, V. G., Carvalho, G. R., Sung, W., Johnson, H. F., Power, D. M., Neill, S. P., Packer, M., Blaxter, M. L., Lambshead, J. D., Thomas, W. K. & Creer, S., 19 Oct 2010, In: Nature Communications. 1, 7, p. 98

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  30. Published

    Sensitivity assessment of bathymetry and choice of tidal constituents on tidal stream energy resource characterisation in the Gulf of California, Mexico

    Mejia-Olivares, C., Haigh, I. D., Lewis, M. & Neill, S., 1 Sept 2020, In: Applied Ocean Research.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  31. Published

    Sensitivity of palaeotidal models of the northwest European shelf seas to glacial isostatic adjustment since the Last Glacial Maximum

    Ward, S., Neill, S., Scourse, J., Bradley, S. L. & Uehara, K., 1 Nov 2016, In: Quaternary Science Reviews. 151, p. 198-211

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  32. Published

    Simulating storm waves in the Irish Sea

    Neill, S. P. & Elliott, A. J., 1 Jun 2007, In: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Maritime Engineering. 160, 2, p. 57-64

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  33. Published

    Some numerical aspects of modelling flow around hydraulic structures using incompressible SPH

    Ghadampour, Z., Hashemi, M. R., Talebbeydokhti, N., Neill, S. P. & Nikseresht, A. H., 8 May 2015, In: Computers and Mathematics with Applications. 69, 12, p. 1470-1483

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  34. Published

    Spatio-temporal variability of tidal-stream energy in north-western Europe

    Guillou, N., Neill, S. & Thiebot, J., 21 Aug 2020, In: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. 378, 2178, 20190493.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  35. Published

    Special issue: Wave and tidal resource characterization

    Neill, S., Yang, Z. & Hashemi, M. R., 1 Dec 2017, In: Renewable Energy. 114, p. 1-2

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  36. Published

    The Influence of Intra-Array Wake Dynamics on Depth-Averaged Kinetic Tidal Turbine Energy Extraction Simulations

    Piano, M., Robins, P., Davies, A. & Neill, S., 22 Oct 2018, In: Energies. 11, 10, 2852.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  37. Published

    The challenges of constraining shelf sea tidal models using seabed sediment grain size as a proxy for tidal currents

    Ward, S., Scourse, J., Yokoyama, Y. & Neill, S., Dec 2020, In: Continental Shelf Research. 205, 104165.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  38. Published

    The formation of headland/island sandbanks.

    Neill, S. & Scourse, J. D., 15 Oct 2009, In: Continental Shelf Research. 29, 18, p. 2167-2177

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  39. Published

    The impact of tidal stream turbines on large-scale sediment dynamics.

    Neill, S. P., Litt, E. J., Couch, S. J. & Davies, A. G., 1 Dec 2009, In: Renewable Energy. 34, 12, p. 2803-2812

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  40. Published

    The impacts of tidal energy development and sea-level rise in the Gulf of Maine

    Kresning, B., Hashemi, M. R., Neill, S. P., Green, M. & Xue, H., 15 Nov 2019, In: Energy. 187, 115942.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  41. Published

    The influence of waves on the tidal kinetic energy resource at a tidal stream energy site

    Guillou, N., Chapalain, G. & Neill, S., 15 Oct 2016, In: Applied Energy. 180, October, p. 402-415

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  42. Published

    The influence of wind gustiness on estimating the wave power resource

    Goward Brown, A., Neill, S. & Lewis, M., 10 Nov 2013, In: International Journal of Marine Energy. 3-4, p. e1-e10

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  43. Published

    The role of Coriolis in sandbank formation due to a headland/island system.

    Neill, S. P., 10 Sept 2008, In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 79, 3, p. 419-428

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  44. Published

    The role of tidal asymmetry in characterizing the tidal energy resource of Orkney

    Neill, S. P., Hashemi, M. R. & Lewis, M. J., 4 Mar 2014, In: Renewable Energy. 68, p. 337-350

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  45. Published

    The role of tides in shelf-scale simulations of the wave energy resource

    Hashemi, M. R. & Neill, S. P., 18 Apr 2014, In: Renewable Energy. 69, p. 300-310

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  46. Published

    The role of wind in controlling the connectivity of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) populations

    Demmer, J., Robins, P., Malham, S., Lewis, M., Owen, A., Jones, T. & Neill, S., 21 Jan 2022, In: Movement Ecology. 10, 1, 3.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  47. Published

    The tidal flux in the Firth of Forth

    Elliott, A. J. & Neill, S. P., 1 Mar 2007, In: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Maritime Engineering. 160, 1, p. 25-32

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  48. Published

    The wave and tidal resource of Scotland

    Neill, S., Vogler, A., Goward-Brown, A. J., Baston, S., Lewis, M., Gillibrand, P. A., Waldman, S. & Woolf, D. K., Dec 2017, In: Renewable Energy. 114, Part A, p. 3-17

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  49. Published

    Three-dimensional modelling of turbine wake interactions at a tidal stream energy site

    Michelet, N., Guillou, N., Chapalain, G., Thiebot, J., Guillou, S., Goward Brown, A. & Neill, S., 1 Feb 2020, In: Applied Ocean Research. 95, 102009.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  50. Published

    Tidal Range Resource of Australia

    Neill, S., Hemer, M., Robins, P., Griffiths, A. & Furnish, A., 1 Jun 2021, In: Renewable Energy. 170, p. 683-692

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  51. Published

    Tidal and surge modelling using differential quadrature: a case study in the Bristol Channel.

    Hashemi, M. R., Abedini, M. J., Neill, S. P. & Malekzadeh, P., 1 Oct 2008, In: Coastal Engineering. 55, 10, p. 811-819

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review