Xodus Group expertise supports permit applications and EIA.

Marine Renewables

Why Renewable Energy?
Xodus Group actively supports the development of renewable energy sources to meet the ever increasing demand for electricity and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to wind, the substantial wave and tidal resources around the UK and Scotland in particular, are increasingly being considered for the provision of greenhouse gas free electricity from an inexhaustible and clean ocean resource.

The Scottish Government has set a target for the production of 50% of electricity demand in Scotland to come from renewable sources by 2020, with an interim target of 31% by 2011. Although the marine renewables sector is presently dominated by technologies that have yet to reach full commercial viability, it is believed the sector will provide in important contribution to meeting this target.

Uniquely Integrated Approach
Until recently, Xodus Group has focussed on servicing the oil and gas industry, however our ever growing portfolio of renewables clients has allowed us to develop an in depth knowledge of the renewables industry and the challenges it faces to develop commercial projects in a rapidly evolving industry.

From our experience of working with the energy companies and technology developers we have realised that skills and expertise from the oil and gas industry are transferrable and easily applied to the marine renewables sector, in particular wind, wave and tidal technologies.

Our environmental and engineering capabilities provide a truly integrated approach to marine renewables projects. This unique capability provides our clients with a single consultancy and engineering company.

To make renewables projects viable you need to think outside the box, precisely the kind of thinking we specialise in.

From research and development, device design, and prototype deployment to development of commercial projects, we have someone who can help. In-house capabilities include:

› Concept evaluation and site selection (including Geographical Information System)
› Baseline monitoring and surveys (including Marine Mammal Observers)
› Permit applications and environmental impact assessment (EIA)
› Structural analysis and design
› Materials and corrosion
› Hydro and aero dynamic loading
› Instruments and controls
› Electrical engineering
› Installation engineering
› Technical safety
› Risk management and contingency
› HSE management systems and training

Strategically Important Location
Xodus has offices in Stromness, Orkney – home to EMEC the European Marine Energy Centre.

At the forefront of the development of marine based renewables, this world leading test facility aims to help the evolution of marine energy devices from the prototype stage into the commercial market place.

Xodus personnel have been involved with the EMEC facility since initial planning stages, through the development of the environmental aspects of its Integrated Management System and most recently completed the EIA prior to the development of the tidal test site infrastructure. We are also working with a number of the developers using the site to test their technologies.

We practice what we preach
Features such as heating via a renewable energy source – Ground Source Heat Pump – have been built-in to our environmentally-friendly Orkney office facilities. More ›