The future of offshore energy is evolving, and researchers at the University of Houston are at the forefront of this transformation. Dr. Harish Krishnamoorthy, an expert in power conversion technologies, is working to integrate renewable energy sources into offshore oil and gas operations. His research, particularly through the MERIT project, aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve efficiency, and make offshore energy production more sustainable.
The Need for Change: Decarbonizing Offshore Energy
Traditional offshore oil and gas operations rely heavily on diesel generators, which power nearly all subsea energy activities. According to Dr. Krishnamoorthy, this dependence on diesel presents a major environmental challenge.
“The most important aspect of our research has been figuring out how to reduce the carbon footprint of offshore energy production,” he explained.
When Dr. Krishnamoorthy arrived at the University of Houston in 2017, he recognized the city’s unique position in the energy sector. “I saw the vast offshore ecosystem and noticed that major oil companies—Exxon, Shell, and others—were all trying to enter the renewable energy space,” he said. “There was a strong need to integrate renewables like wind and solar. Houston, with its technology and infrastructure in the Gulf, was the ideal place to explore solutions.”
Challenges in Integrating Renewables
Transitioning offshore platforms to rely on renewable energy sources is a tall order, and the mission has its fair share of challenges. Reliability is a leading concern. “An offshore well can generate up to $3 million worth of oil per day, so any system failure comes with massive liabilities,” Dr. Krishnamoorthy emphasized. To tackle this issue, the research team is developing innovative power conversion technologies that can seamlessly integrate energy from sources such as wind, solar, and battery storage.
Managing intermittency is another hurdle. “Relying solely on wind and solar introduces fluctuations, so having a robust energy storage system helps smooth out peaks and dips, ensuring stability,” Krishnamoorthy explained. “Diesel generators will still be present, but their usage can be drastically minimized—potentially running only five days a year rather than continuously.”
The MERIT Project: A Game-Changer for Offshore Energy
The Multi-port Energy Router using Intelligent Transformers (MERIT) Project is designed to enhance efficiency by optimizing the flow of energy between different sources and subsea loads. Offshore wind farms, for example, typically send power back to shore. However, by redirecting some of this energy to oil and gas platforms, the system could reduce the need for expensive transmission cables. “A wind farm might then need a 20-30 megawatt lower-rated power cable to the mainland, improving system-wide efficiency,” said Dr. Krishnamoorthy.
Beyond integration, the team is also exploring ways to decarbonize offshore operations through carbon sequestration—depositing carbon emissions beneath the seabed. Additionally, they are developing compact power converters that can function in extreme offshore conditions, at temperatures above 175 degrees Celsius.
A Student’s Perspective: The Future of Offshore Renewables
Ann Mary Toms, a third-year Ph.D. student in electrical engineering, has been conducting related research through the Subsea Systems Institute (SSI) Sizing Project. Her research has been focusing on optimizing offshore oil and gas platforms with hybrid-renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, batteries, and even wave and tidal energy converters.
However, the transition to renewables remains costly. “Right now, diesel is ten times cheaper than running a fully renewable microgrid on an oil and gas platform,” Toms explained. “But as we continue depleting fossil fuel reserves, the shift is inevitable. I predict that in the next 15-20 years, we’ll see a major transition toward offshore renewable energy.”
The potential applications of her research extend beyond offshore platforms. Toms envisions using the model to power remote communities that lack electricity access. “Take Hawaii, for example,” she noted. “Because it relies on imported petroleum, the electricity there is six to seven times more expensive than on the U.S. mainland. If island regions like Hawaii could adopt renewable energy sources, power would be much more affordable.”
Shaping the Next Generation of Innovators
Both Dr. Krishnamoorthy and Ann Mary Toms emphasized the importance of research with real-world applications. “I tell my students that research should address real-world problems,” says Dr. Krishnamoorthy. “Solutions may not be immediate, but our goal is to create something with a practical impact within the next decade. Progress takes time, but every step forward matters.”
Toms echoed this sentiment, praising UH’s student-centered approach to research. “UH is a research-driven university that puts students first,” she said. “The learning environment here helps foster true innovation.”
As offshore energy continues to evolve, projects like MERIT are paving the way for
a more sustainable way of oil and gas production. With dedicated researchers at the
helm, the University of Houston is leading the charge in bridging offshore energy
with renewable solutions.