Modular control rooms are pivotal to offshore industries, acting as nerve centers that oversee and manage complex operations. Modular control rooms have evolved over the last 20 years, leveraging technological advancements to enhance efficiency, safety, and decision-making processes. Armoda is a manufacturer of custom modular control rooms for the offshore industry, and in this article, we will discuss the evolution of control rooms over the last 20 years and how they are utilized today in offshore industries such as wind, research, and drone activities.

In the early 2000s, most control rooms operated using analog systems that required many manual processes. As much of the world shifted to digital technologies beginning in the late 2000s and continuing today, control rooms began to shift as well. They incorporated more complex digital-based equipment and interfaces. Going digital allowed for more precise control, real-time monitoring, and greater integration of a wide range of sources of information. This growth can be seen in several advancements within the control room. 

Integration of Advanced Technologies in the Control Room

Incorporating advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning has played a pivotal role. These technologies enable predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and automation of routine tasks, contributing to more proactive and efficient operations. 

Enhanced Human-Machine Interfaces in Control Rooms

Human-machine interfaces are now much more intuitive and user-friendly. Touchscreen displays, interactive dashboards, and 3D visualization tools provide operators with a comprehensive and easy-to-understand view of complex systems. What would have taken hours to compile, graph and visualize in the past can now be displayed in real-time, facilitating quicker decision-making.

Remote Monitoring of Control Rooms

With the advent of high-speed internet and secure communication protocols, control rooms can now monitor and control operations remotely. This capability has become especially crucial in offshore industries. This advancement has spurred the growth of remote-operated vehicles (ROVs). Remote monitoring has also enabled the control room to be placed outside hazardous areas, significantly reducing construction costs. 

Control Rooms with Real-time Data Connectivity

The introduction and growth of connected sensors and devices has also helped spearhead the evolution of the control room. The availability of real-time data from these sensors and devices has allowed the control room operators to make more informed decisions, optimize processes, and respond to changing conditions quickly. 

How Control Rooms Support Offshore Industries Today

Modular control rooms play a crucial role in offshore industries by serving as centralized hubs for monitoring, controlling, and coordinating various processes and systems on offshore facilities and vessels. These modules have advanced technology and communication systems to ensure efficient and safe operations. Here are some ways control room modules are used in offshore industries.

Modular Control Rooms and the Offshore Wind Industry

Modular control rooms are an essential component in today’s offshore wind industry. They facilitate the monitoring, operation, and management of offshore wind farms. Each module can act as a central hub where operators monitor and oversee the performance of the wind farm. The following are typical ways that control rooms are utilized:

1. Monitoring and Controlling Wind Turbines

The control room allows operators to monitor the performance of individual wind turbines and the overall wind farm in real-time. This includes monitoring parameters such as power output, wind speed, turbine health, grid connection status, and environmental conditions. Operators can also remotely control turbine operation, adjusting settings as needed to optimize performance or respond to changing conditions.

2. Integration with the Grid

Offshore wind farms are typically connected to the onshore electrical grid, and modular control rooms facilitate the integration of wind power into the grid system. Operators can manage power output and grid connection settings to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply, coordinating with grid operators to balance supply and demand.

3. Safety and Maintenance Monitoring

Modular control rooms play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of offshore wind farm operations. Operators can monitor for any safety hazards or abnormal conditions, such as high winds or equipment malfunctions, and take appropriate actions to mitigate risks. In emergencies, control room personnel can initiate safety protocols and coordinate response efforts. With the growth of connected monitors and sensors, control rooms also incorporate advanced monitoring and diagnostic systems that can detect early signs of equipment malfunction or failure. Operators use this data to identify potential issues before they escalate, allowing for proactive maintenance and repair. This helps minimize downtime and maximize the reliability of the wind farm.

Ocean Science and Coastal Research

Modular control rooms are used for offshore research activities such as marine habitat restoration, coastal resilience, tracking weather patterns, etc. They support these efforts by providing centralized control, monitoring, and data management capabilities. The research industry has utilized control rooms for:

1. Real-time Monitoring and Experiment Control

Control rooms allow researchers to monitor various parameters and instruments deployed offshore in real-time. This includes conducting experiments and ensuring the safety of equipment and personnel. Researchers can remotely monitor and control instruments and sensors, adjust experimental parameters, and respond promptly to changing conditions.

2. Data Collection and Management

Offshore research can involve collecting large amounts of data from sensors and instruments. Modular control rooms serve as centralized hubs for efficiently collecting, storing, and managing this data. Researchers can access data streams in real-time, archive data for future analysis, and integrate data from multiple sources to gain comprehensive insights into oceanographic phenomena and environmental conditions. 

Offshore Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV)

The evolution of modular control rooms has enabled the growth of remote-operated vehicles (ROVs), sometimes called drones. There are several types of ROVs that help with offshore oil and gas exploration. Control rooms provide remote operational control of autonomous vehicles, underwater robots, and other ROVs. This has opened new areas of exploration as ROVs can operate in areas determined too dangerous for divers and manned submersibles. This has made control rooms highly useful for most offshore industries, including wind, research, oil and gas, and others.

Modular control rooms have evolved over the last 20 years, helping push the offshore industries forward. They have brought technological advancements that have enabled real-time monitoring and advanced data collection and analysis, helping improve decision-making and increasing safety. 

If you need a custom modular control room for your offshore project, contact Armoda today. We are an advanced manufacturer of custom control rooms for offshore industries.