OilVoice - Renewable Companies Urged To Not Underestimate Risks

Renewable Companies Urged To Not Underestimate Risks

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Xodus Group is showcasing technology to help reduce the risks associated with bringing green energy projects to fruition at the UK's largest renewable show - All Energy 2010.

The Aberdeen headquartered consultancy will be giving demos of its Xrisk management tool, which helps clients anticipate and avert set-backs ranging from delayed consenting procedures to major production breakdowns on renewable technologies.

The software maps out likelihood, severity and cost implications of risk and prioritises counter activities. It even considers reputational damage and sends direct alerts of action if not followed up.

Xodus Group provides integrated engineering, safety and environmental consultancy to industry and government worldwide. The company is launching its new renewable business stream at the conference on May 19 and 20th as a direct response to the increase in demands for services in this sector.

The Xodus team will be giving demos of the Xrisk software at the Orkney pavilion and Liz Foubister, who recently took up post as new alterative energy director, will be showcasing some of the high profile wind, wave and tidal projects the company is involved in.

Liz said: 'Most systems are not efficient because they involve sharing of reviews and actions on various documents and spreadsheets by email. We have developed an internet-based system that combines a single, securely shared risk register which means managers anywhere in the world can build plans and track and manage actions in real time. The renewable sector should not underestimate the value of risk management and can make use of the lessons learned from the oil and gas industry.'

Xodus Group has further strengthened its service portfolio by appointing Eric Doyle as Alternative Energy Manager.

Liz and Eric are leading the alternative energy drive for Xodus Group and are responsible for rolling out an increased service offering to the growing global renewables industries and the emerging Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) market. Turnover in the offshore renewables business stream is predicted to grow to over £3 million in the next two years.

New business in this sector includes work with Aquamarine Power on the ground breaking Oyster wave project, Pelamis Wave Power and Green Ocean Energy. Other clients include SSE Renewables, RWE Npower Renewables and Scottish Power Renewables.

Eric, who has 20 years experience in the oil and gas sector, said: 'We have a subsea 'super-team' of expertise that can play a crucial role in design, installation and asset management - from engineering structures to operations in deepwater harsh environments. Our team can offer real solutions to technical safety and risk management challenges and can play an important role in addressing the issues around generating and distributing electricity.

'Our core activities transfer directly from oil and gas to renewables so for us it is a seamless transition that will benefit the entire renewables supply chain.'

Xodus Group employs over 270 people with offices in Edinburgh, London, Orkney and Perth Australia. The company has five divisions which include Environmental, Subsea, Technical, Safety & Risk (TSR), Integration Technology and Process & Facilities.

The All-Energy exhibition and conference is the UK's largest event devoted to renewable energy and is taking place at Aberdeen Exhibition Centre on May 19th and 20th.

Review all our latest Renewable Energy news and companies.