Student Design Awards winners: Steel appeal
Brief 4: How might we apply circular economy principles to increase and encourage the reuse of steel from decommissioned oil platforms?
Winner:
- Scottish Kelp - Joshua Dale, University of Lincoln, England
Decommissioning of oil and gas platforms refers to the process of disassembling and removing the structures from the marine environment to reduce safety risks and environmental damage. As we move away from oil and gas extraction the cost to decommission these platforms is estimated at $82bn by 2027. ‘Scottish Kelp’ proposes that these rigs could be used to develop a growing and processing system for a Scottish based kelp industry. The jackets would be used to support large areas of kelp growth; the topsides converted into nurseries and processing units onshore. This would create jobs for rural communities and expand biodiversity in Scotland’s waters.
Joshua Dale
University of Lincoln, England
The Circular Design award of £2,000
Highly Commended
Jonathon Birch, Northumbria University, England
Move With The Tide: Repurposing steel from decommissioned oil rigs to convert tidal streams into subsidised energy for remote communities in Scotland.
Millions of tonnes of steel, copper, composites and other materials are due to be retrieved from marine environments as offshore decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure continues to gather pace. Finding sustainable, long term solutions for these materials...is a key driver for the industry.
