Course in product and process innovation
The goal of the course in product and process innovation is for the participants to discover how their skills can be used in the offshore renewables sector and that they gain an impression of the possibilities for working in the sector. The course lasts for four weeks - full-time - and consists of both theoretical and practical work aswell as coaching and presentation techniques. A thorough introduction to the offshore renewable sector is the basis.
The goal group is unemployed who have worked in for instance the ship construction industry and other industries.
Below you can see photos from the first course that LORC conducted.through March and April, 2011. The course is part of LORC's education project.
12 workers from Odense Steel Shipyard and 3 from other areas attended the project. They were ready to use their skills from building container vessels in a whole new area: offshore renewables.
In the picture (left to right): Ronni Pedersen, Kim Nielsen, Eigil Ploug Jørgensen, and Jørgen Rasmussen. (All photos on this page: Jess Demant Aggeboe)
The first course was established as a co-operation between Resen Energy A/S, Lindø Industrial Park and LORC. The roles were divided roughly as follows:
- Resen Energy delivers the wave energy concept that requires innovation, including a new prototype
- Lindø Industrial Park delivers the facilities
- LORC heads the course, coordinates activities, involves external lecturers and establishes contact with other educational institutions
The subject
An important part of the course was the focus on a realistic case. Instead of working on textbook cases, LORC involved industrial parties with real needs for innovation. In this instance, Resen Energy presented the subject: an artificial coral reef.
The concept of artificial reefs is well-known. Basically, a net made out of steel is placed on the seabed, light electrical current is applied, and because of the electrolytic process, a limestone surface will form on the steel. This acts as a base for plants and animals and a coral reef evolves. This method has been used in areas where pollution has destroyed the natural coral reefs.
Read more about the concept of artificial reefs here
The project tested the artificial reef concept in large tubs. Steel structures in sea water will develop a limestone surface if light current is applied. The bubbles of released air indicate that the electrolysis is ongoing.
But where should the power come from? So far, a weakness of the concept is that power has been supplied by a cable from the shore.
Resen Energy had developed the idea of a wave energy plant in combination with the reef – making the reef self-sustainable. But this idea needed proofing and testing – making it the perfect case for a course for innovation in offshore renewables for shipbuilders.
The power for the artificial coral reef has to be supplied by a wave energy device. The course participants Steen Aastrup Nielsen (left) and Peter Østergaard Jørgensen test the point absorber, the part of the device that generates power.
Between developing and building the prototypes, LORC staff gave lectures on renewable energy. Here, the acting CTO, Claus Kurt Christensen, talks about wind turbine maintenance.
Good atmosphere among the course participants Ronni Pedersen, Peter Wortmann and Kim Nielsen.
Several experiments were carried out with small-scale reefs in the tub. Kim Nielsen lowers the voltage.
CEO of Resen Energy, Per Stenstrup (left), oversees the experiments with course participant Steen Aastrup Nielsen (middle) and marine biologist Erik Frederiksen.
Ready to raise the prototype after initial welding. Course participant Peter Wortmann directs the others.
Teamwork was essential. Especially when raising the 5-meter wide and 2-meter high artificial reef.
Rolling the items for the reef. Ronni Pedersen, Eigil Ploug Jørgensen and Kim Nielsen used their skills from ship building, but in a new way.
A large amount of welding was required. Erik Trolle assembles the final parts for the reef.
The result
In the 4-week long pilot course the workers built the prototype. They gained theoretical knowledge of the whole sector for offshore renewables through lectures. Everybody had to draw on their personal innovation and team-effort skills, as the course intentionally left organization of the work processes open. And they saw with their own eyes how the competencies from shipbuilding could be used in a new field.
As one course participant put it:
‘I haven’t learned so many new things, but I have learned what I am capable of. This is actually a hugely beneficial and eye-opening experience.’
For more information on future courses contact Project Manager Lise Nielson at
The finished reef ready to go into the sea. The wave energy device has to be attached, and with low power on the reef, a limestone surface will grow. This will turn into a coral reef within a year.