LUCA MELCHIORI

OFFSHORE IN-FLUX

A MONUMENT FOR THE COMPROMISE BETWEEN

INTERVENING AND RESERVING NATURE

2017
studio hani rashid
university of applied arts vienna

with barbara schickermueller

oceanic architecture at the age of sea level rise

introduction

Offshore IN-FLUX is aiming to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of oil platforms in order to work against the climate change and the resulting sea level rise, but still takes in consideration the world’s oil reliance. Currently already the production and extraction process of oil is releasing enormous amounts of CO2 and methane, since the energy which is driving the process itself derives from the combustion of fossil fuels. By replacing this with a renewable energy power plant that is directly connected to the oil rig the related emissions could be decreased drastically. How? The kinetic energy of tides and waves that are increasing because of the sea level rise, is transformed into potential energy in order to produce electricity to run and maintain the platform.

concept

01 what is causing sea level rise?

91 % of all greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the combustion of fossil fuels. Global warming and therefore sea level rise are the consequences.The earth has already experienced high and low emissions of CO2 in the atmosphere on a regular basis, causing different types of climate change. But it is certainly for the first time, that this everlasting growth of emissions such as Methane and CO2 is caused by mankind.

02 but why are ghg emissions so high?

Although there is all this knowledge and all these informations, still sea levels are rising and not enough is being done in order to counteract. There have been renewable energy sources all along. For example the artificial solar cell was already invented in the late 19th century. But there has been a lack of efficiency and reliability in these new technologies.

03 why else?

Only now that the world is facing such a difficult environmental situation, there have been made investments in these new technologies and therefore also the efficiency increased. Still oil is an essential and indispensable resource in the field of medicine, technology and development. But on the other hand, as a source of energy, there are valuable renewable alternatives.

04 transition time: 40 years

Just recently governments all around the world have started to commit to climate agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, to switch to renewable energy sources in order to fight the climate change. While oil production will be decreasing, renewable energy sources will be increasing, leading to a smooth transition replacing fossil fuels with green energy. But this transition will take 35 to 50 years, during that time oil rigs and oil combustion are still producing vast amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. Offshore IN-FLUX is addressing this specific time period by reducing the emissions related to the production process. In addition to that, Offshore IN-FLUX is aiming to reduce these emissions even further, by replacing the energy supply of an oil platform with green energy. Green energy that is coming from a grid of power buoys which convert on one side the kinetic energy of the waves into potential energy in order to drive turbines and retrieve energy. And on the other hand convert the kinetic energy into air pressure that drives air turbines. To cover all of the energy demand of the rig, underwater tidal turbines are further added.

05 how do we want to reduce the ghg emissions?

In addition to that, Offshore IN-FLUX is aiming to reduce these emissions even further, by replacing the energy supply of an oil platform with green energy. Green energy that is coming from a grid of power buoys which convert on one side the kinetic energy of the waves into potential energy in order to drive turbines and retrieve energy. And on the other hand convert the kinetic energy into air pressure that drives air turbines. To cover all of the energy demand of the rig, underwater tidal turbines are further added.

06 future scenario

After the oil well is emptied, the drilling segment of the whole structure will get dismantled. Left are monumental power plants which will further provide energy to the onshore infrastructure. Already during the drilling process, the scaffolding structure underwater becomes an artificial reef, attracting vast amounts of fish. This holds the opportunity of adding an aquaculture and fish farm to the power plant.

lofoten islands, northern norway

SITE

The prototype of Offshore IN-FLUX is located on the western coast of Lofoten Islands, an archipelago above the polar circle in Northern Norway. Being aware of the fact, that an oil platform could potentially have a big impact on these idyllic natural landscapes, the project is trying to find a compromise between intervening and reserving nature. The remaining renewable energy power plant serves as a monument for the successful transition into a sustainable society.

currents and wave height

tides

oil resources

occurence

offshore in-flux

PROGRAM

power plant

infrastructure

living

drilling

wave energy:

POWER BUOY
150kW

tidal energy:

THAW TURBINES
2.200kW - 2.600kW

oil rig energy:

CONSUMPTION:
54.800kW - 63.300kW

wind, wave and tidal

energy concept

wave energy

The piston-like buoys have a stable base in the water. The uncoupled head of the buoy is floating on the ocean surface, creating an up and down movement by the motion of the waves. The buoys are not directly connected to a generator and therefore they are not directly producing energy. They are working like pumps, pumping water and air. The water will flow to the high situated water tanks, which gives the water a lot of potential energy in order to run the turbines below them. The pumped air will flow into air pressure tanks which then activate the air turbines in order to produce energy. Basically this system converts the kinetic energy of the waves into potential energy.

tidal energy

There are multiple TVAWT (Transverse-Vertical-Axis-Water-Turbine) located underneath the ocean surface. By the help of tides, the turbine blades start rotating. These are again connected to generators which convert the rotational motion into energy. The advantage of these two renewable energy sources is the constant production of a minimum amount of energy. Other than for example solar or wind energy, this method enables a continuous electricity source. This is crucial considering the typology and the site where it is located.

adaptive framework

STRUCTURE

All these components are held together by an adaptive framework system. Within that, kinetic fins are constantly redirecting water and wind flows in desired directions.

01 wind protection

In combination with the framework, these fins create an adaptive skin covering the sensitive components behind it. During strong winds, the system closes up and redirects the winds around the megastructure.

02 current canalisation

The same principle applies underwater. The fins redirect the water turbulences directly onto the TVAWT-Turbines’ blades, maximizing the efficiency of the turbines.

03 static structure

The central core provides support for the whole megastructure, which is anchored on the sea bed with a big fundament. The intelligent skin within opens up with nice weather in order to lighten up the space with natural light. During storms and blizzards the structure closes up and provides shelter.

utopian vs dystopian

AESTHETICS

The aesthetic argument of our tower megastructure is the glorification of technology and the necessity of further technological development as the only way to overcome the world’s current environmental challenges. The interaction between the latest technological inventions and well proofed engineering systems creates an architectural monument, that includes the hope for a better future, but also acknowledges the dystopian world we are heading into.