Ocean, coastal and river engineering

NRC OCRE assists industry and other government departments to develop solutions to engineering challenges within ocean, coastal and river environments with a particular focus on harsh and extreme conditions. Our approach includes physical and numerical modeling, engineering analysis, technology development as well as full scale experiments and field work, and takes advantage of our comprehensive suite of world class model test basins and tanks that are capable of reproducing a wide range of ice, wave, current and wind conditions. We have also developed and validated unique numerical and visualizations tools to generate solutions for our clients.

We will assist you in providing technology and solutions for the following market segments:

• Marine Vehicles - Operations and design,
  • Advanced control technologies and vessel performance monitoring and analysis systems - to optimize ship operational efficiency to reduce fuel consumption gas emissions
  • Safe vessel operations technologies for offshore exploration and production in managed ice conditions
  • Engineering design of all ocean going vessels including civilian, military and Arctic type vessels with conceptual and preliminary design tools for ice class and marine vessels
• Marine Safety – improving the performance of Life saving appliances (LSA) in extreme environments
  • Performance testing and verification for product approval (e.g. lifeboat hook release mechanisms, immersion/helicopter transportation suits)
  • Evaluation of LSA technologies applicability and utility for extreme environments according to standards and regulations
  • Innovative solutions for LSA technologies (engineering, human factors and training)
  • Basic research that leads to regulatory improvements and change
• Marine Infrastructure, Water Resources and Marine Renewable Energy
  • Marine infrastructure optimization - for oil and gas developments, for ports and harbours, for shore protection and flood prevention
  • Optimization and validation of designs (infrastructure, structures, vehicles, equipment) prior to construction
  • Renewable energy products and services (wave energy and river/tidal technologies)
  • Environmental impact assessments
  • Management, protection and utilization of water resources
  • Products and services for extracting energy from waves and currents
• Arctic Technologies - Sovereignty, surveillance and environmental stewardship initiatives for improved efficiency, safety, and security in the Arctic
  • Sustainable Resource Development, includes oil and gas exploration and improved shipping and extending the life of ice roads for northern mining
  • Northern Transportation research to reduce the number of incidents (vessel damage, vessels beset in ice)
  • Ice Forecasting, managing ice loads and reducing ice floe size
  • Arctic Shipping Risk Assessment
  • Cold regions infrastructure including standards and codes for structures

NRC OCRE is home to critical modeling and testing facilities that allow us to offer technical services to support activities in various marine and water based sectors. We have world-renowned competencies in the following areas.

• Marine performance, evaluation and optimization services:
  • Ocean energy technologies
  • Wave and turbulence modeling
  • Operability (fuel consumption, emission abatement)
  • Sea keeping, resistance and propulsion
  • Operation in harsh environments engineering & human factors
  • Ship-model correlation
  • Model and full scale trials
  • Ports and harbours
  • Offshore oil and gas facilities
  • Coastal structures and developments
• Ice technologies and services:
  • Data mining
  • Field work
  • Numerical models
  • Physical modeling
• Water resources modeling services:
  • Hydrological Modelling
  • Hydraulic and Hydrodynamic Modelling
  • Water Quality Modelling
  • Hydro Energy Resource Assessment
  • Environmental Decision Support Systems
  • Water Resources Data Integration
  • Hydraulic Modeling Software;
    • Blue Kenue™
    • Green Kenue™

NRC has access to a set of comprehensive test facilities as well as numerical modeling and full scale field trials capabilities. These facilities address a wide range of client needs and provide complete solutions to complex problems involving marine vessels, structures and environments. Unique to NRC, the advantage to our clients is one contact for virtually all their needs.

• OCRE Ottawa, facilities include:
  • Coastal wave basin (63m x 14.2m)
  • Multidirectional wave basin (26m x 36m)
  • Large area basin (47m x 30m)
  • Ice tank (21m x 7m)
  • Large scale wave flume (97m x 2)
  • Steel wave flume (63m x 1.4m)
  • High discharge flume
• OCRE St. John’s, facilities include:
  • Cold Test laboratories (Refrigerated material test laboratory)
  • Towing tank (200m x 12m)
  • Offshore engineering basin (75m x 32m)
  • Ice tank (90m x12m - longest in the world)
  • Design and fabrication facilities for models and precision instrumentation
  • Thermal lab and manikin

NRC OCRE develops intellectual property and uses it for three things: direct application in its own laboratories, commercialization to licensees worldwide, and the development of proprietary solutions for clients using IP as the foundation. NRC OCRE exclusively owns a number of software programs that are available for licensing under conditions for each licensee. To discuss licensing opportunities that fit your specific needs, please contact one of our business experts today.