Case Studies

Reflex Marine's test setup couldn't reset its sand bed to a uniform density between tests, undermining results. Blackfish designed a remotely operated pluviator and test rig that significantly improved data repeatability.

Blackfish worked with Charge Offshore and MJR Power & Automation to develop a 1 MW offshore vessel charging system, managing design through to manufacture and testing. The result supports electrifying vessels working around offshore infrastructure.

Blackfish has built up particular experience in subsea and offshore connections, from a tidal turbine yaw clamp to wet-mate electrical terminations and the C-Dart mooring system. These projects reduce installation time and manual intervention offshore.

Blackfish was asked to supply a test rig that compared the performance of different propellers. Different coatings were being used on the propellers in order to see how they degrade with time, being left in the seawater for a 6-month campaign.

Blackfish developed a test rig to trial hydrogen fuel cells for aerospace applications, supporting efforts to reduce emissions at altitude. The rig pitches and rolls a 500 kg fuel cell through angles of up to 50 degrees.

Blackfish has worked with Mocean Energy since 2017, helping design, fabricate, assemble and commission its Blue X wave energy converter, installed in Orkney in 2021. The partnership continues on further Mocean projects.

Blackfish completed a concept design and FEED study for an offshore floating solar installation, covering platform configuration, panel selection and mooring strategy. The study gave the client a practical route toward commercial deployment.

Blackfish supports engineering decisions through structural finite element analysis, ranging from rapid feasibility studies to highly detailed assessments of stress, deformation, fatigue life, vibration, buckling and dynamic response. The resulting analysis provides evidence to support design validation, risk reduction and informed decision-making before manufacture, testing or deployment.

Blackfish carried out conjugate heat transfer analysis on Mocean Energy's Blue Star 10 wave energy converter to assess thermal performance under elevated environmental temperatures. The resulting analysis provided evidence to support deployment planning and confirmed critical subsystem temperatures would remain within acceptable operating limits.

Blackfish supported a leading wind turbine manufacturer in assessing a fatigue-related concern affecting secondary steelwork. Using finite element fatigue analysis alongside practical engineering experience, the team provided evidence to support the selected design direction, reducing technical risk and supporting a rapid engineering response.

Blackfish designed a self-aligning mooring connection that removes the need for divers or ROVs during offshore work. C-Dart is now a commercially manufactured solution for wave, tidal and floating wind applications.

Blackfish designed a subsea electrical and mechanical mooring swivel to withstand demanding offshore loads while maintaining reliability and fatigue resistance. The result was an assembly-ready design with clear safety margins for deployment.

Blackfish uses Ansys Mechanical and Autodesk Nastran to analyse structures with complex geometry, nonlinear behaviour, fatigue and welded connections. This helps clients reduce mass and stress and make informed decisions before manufacture.

Blackfish designed and built two test rigs for Southampton University: a towing tank mooring platform and a pipe flow rig. Both were transported, installed and commissioned on site to support ongoing research.

Blackfish was responsible for the main cell module design on Bombora's mWave device, covering concept design, attachment mechanisms and detailed FEA. The team also developed Bombora's novel air valve system through to serial manufacture.

Blackfish facilitated collaboration between leading tidal energy developers and CRM, the R&D arm of ArcelorMittal. The programme gave CRM direct insight into the material requirements of the emerging tidal energy sector.

Blackfish helped Solead build a structured Verification and Validation strategy for its novel, patented energy storage technology. The workshop process gave the team a clear roadmap to share with investors and regulators.

Blackfish completed the design of a test rig rail, hydraulic load application system and data aquistion system to successfully validate the SenseWind tower climbing system.

Blackfish used advanced simulation and structural assessment to verify the performance of a complex modular structure, helping the client move forward with manufacturing confidence.