Powering an Offshore Platform with Renewable Energy – ODE Asset Management

Company Information

ODE Asset Management Ltd operate several offshore platforms with our crews flying out by helicopter each day from Norwich Airport. Our services include providing boats, helicopters and people to carry out the work offshore. In our onshore office we carry out engineering design, maintenance, fault finding and repair (electrical, mechanical, instrumentation) as well as all support functions including safety, logistics, planning and finance.

Project Overview

ODE Asset Management Ltd operates offshore platforms supported by engineering, logistics, maintenance and management teams based onshore. This project focuses on investigating how an offshore platform could be powered using renewable energy sources.

Students will research suitable renewable energy technologies, develop design concepts using CAD and 3D modelling, and evaluate options using an existing scoring system. The project will support evidence-based decision-making and culminate in a formal proposal and presentation.

Project Aim

To research, design, and evaluate renewable energy solutions for powering an offshore platform, using engineering analysis and structured comparison to identify the most suitable option.

Key Research Questions

• Which renewable energy sources could be used to power an offshore platform?

• What are the advantages and limitations of each renewable energy option?

• How can different renewable technologies be compared using a scoring system?

• How can engineering design tools be used to communicate proposed solutions clearly?

What You Will Do

• Research a range of renewable energy sources relevant to offshore environments

• Work with engineering and support teams in a busy office environment

• Develop design concepts using CAD and 3D modelling tools

• Propose renewable energy solutions and assess them using a pre-existing scoring system

• Produce a comprehensive written report with supporting documentation

• Present your top proposal clearly and professionally

Science, Engineering and Technical Understanding

• Understanding renewable energy generation principles

• Considering engineering constraints in offshore environments

• Using data to compare system performance and suitability

• Applying structured decision-making methods to engineering problems

Planning and Organisation

You will plan your project in stages, organise your time effectively, justify design decisions, and document how challenges were identified and addressed.

Skills Developed

• Engineering problem solving

• Research and data analysis

• CAD and 3D modelling

• Teamwork and communication

• Independent working and self-motivation

• Very good IT skills & Microsoft Office

Final Outputs

• A comprehensive written report

• Supporting documentation

• CAD drawings and 3D models

• Evaluation of renewable energy options using a scoring system