By Jonathan Land, Lead Naval Architect, Longitude Engineering
Longitude is a specialist independent engineering company dedicated to providing design, engineering and management services to the marine, offshore, renewable and defence markets.
Longitude was incorporated in Singapore in 2006 as part of the LOC Group companies and opened offices in UK in 2007. Following a merger in 2020, the LOC Group became a part of the ABL Group, but Longitude remains an independent entity within the ABL group of companies.
Longitude employs nearly 100 consultants and is integrated into regional supply chains with dedicated offices in Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States and Mexico. On a project specific basis, Longitude can rely on additional support from over 1,200 personnel within the wider ABL Group as appropriate to the needs of each project.
Longitude directly employs project managers, naval architects, structural engineers, composite engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, marine engineers, geotechnical engineers and designers with extensive experience gained whilst working in design companies, OEMs, installation contractors, vessel owners, shipyards and classification societies.
Our Role In WEDUSEA
Longitude’s work on the WEDUSEA Project has focused on the design and analysis of the device’s hull. This has required an interdisciplinary team of structural engineers, draughtsman, naval architects and marine engineers. As part of this project Longitude has prepared:
- Global 3D model of the WEDUSEA device, from which high-quality drawings of both the primary and secondary steel have been produced.
- Global FEA (Finite Element Analysis) model of the hull. Whilst the hull scantlings have been designed to ABS’s class rules for steel barges, the novel nature of the device has meant that a more thorough analysis from first principles is required using FEA.
- Stability model. The stability of the device during operation and during wet tow to site is an important aspect of the hull design. It is also crucial to consider the stability of the device when ballasted to ensure it can achieve a level trim and to ensure that the unit meets the relevant code requirements.
Whilst Longitude has taken the lead in the hull design, the role has required interface with clients and other members of the consortium. In particular we have managed the interfaces between suppliers (such turbines, moorings, cables, installation contractors) and the structural design though direct communication with key stakeholders as well as supporting the consortium with general advice with respect to construction, mooring and offshore operations.
Working on the WEDUSEA project
As Project Manager for Longitude Engineering on this project, I am happy to say that working on the WEDUSEA project has been a great experience and has given me a greater appreciation and understanding of wave technology. The project has also given several of Longitude’s younger engineers the brilliant opportunity to be involved with the design of the device. Here are a couple of comments by members of our team:
“I feel so privileged to have worked on a project of such magnitude and potential in the wave energy sector. It’s been a great experience collaborating with so many partners across unique disciplines and one I will look back on with pride.” – Phil Edwards, Structural Engineer
“I am delighted for the opportunity to have worked on a novel green power project. It’s been very interesting to investigate the stability of such a cutting-edge device designed to perform across almost every range of conditions. Wave converters combine very interesting aspects for a Naval Architect and the opportunity to work on this project strengthened my interest in this field.” Riccardo Gnocchi, Naval Architect
The Challenge of Energy Transition
Climate change is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Whether you are young or old, working to solve this is one of the most inspiring actions of the 21st Century.
ABL Group, working in renewables, oil & gas and maritime sectors, has already pledged itself to the UN Global Compact Network UK, where one of the four major areas of responsible business action is the environment, to achieve a more equitable society. Last year, recognising the significant part we play in the energy sector, we elevated the Group’s focus on energy transition, where the impact can be greatest in achieving a Net Zero world.
The group is committed to achieving ≥50% of our revenue from renewables, sustainability and energy transition activities by 2025. We are well on our way but recognise the need to accelerate these efforts. We have identified five major areas of focus for energy transition in addition to the services we already provide in renewable energy:
- Electrification
- Hydrogen / Ammonia Alternate Fuels
- Emissions / Audit Assessment Abatement
- Carbon Capture Utilisation & Storage (CCUS)
- Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience
R.V. Ahilan, Chief Energy Transition Officer at ABL has commented: “We have developed, delivered and continue to evolve cutting-edge services within our group in every one of the above areas.”
It is inspiring to work as part of the WEDUSEA collaboration, breaking new ground in wave energy, as we all work together towards meeting the energy transition challenge.
