Technical Advisory
Independent engineering review and technical guidance.
Not every engineering decision needs a full design team. Sometimes the requirement is a focused technical review, an independent view on an existing design, or clear evidence to support the next project decision.
We provide practical technical advisory support at the level the project requires. This can range from a focused red-flag review to independent input throughout requirements development, qualification, verification or certification.
Every assignment is different, so the scope is built around the decision, risk or technical question the client needs to resolve.
From our many years of experience developing tidal turbines in the Fall of Warness, that same depth of experience also makes us a trusted independent reviewer and Certification partner for teams who need robust challenge,
practical insight, and a second pair of expert eyes before committing to design, manufacture, deployment, or Final
Investment Decision (FID).
How We Support Your Project
We can review a single component or report, assess a complete technical work package, or remain involved as an independent engineering presence throughout a critical stage of development.
Core Services
Technical review and assurance
Review of design documentation and calculations
Third-party verification
Independent input at design reviews
Requirements and specification support
Validation and verification planning
Product technical qualification and certification support
UKCA and CE marking support
Technical studies
Feasibility studies
Technology landscape studies
Technical market and supply-chain assessments
Design for X reviews
Focused technical workshops
Who We Work With
Clients or investors who need an independent expert opinion, evidence to support a decision, or a route to certification, using an engineering team who have done it before.
Typical challenges we solve
Reviewing a decision that needs independent, defensible sign-off before it can proceed
Providing expert guidance for certification or technical qualification
Reviewing third-party engineering work
Early-stage feasibility that needs assessing before committing to a full project
Book a Consultation With Our Technical Advisory Lead
Jon Powell
Managing Director
Development engineer with 20 years' experience across aerospace, marine and renewable sectors. Jon brings extensive testing and site leadership experience with major projects in aerospace, wave and tidal sectors. As a development engineer, Jon brings a strong systems engineering focus to problem solving and everything that he
does.
Case Studies
View a selection of case studies where we outline the challenges, approach and outcome.
Floating Offshore Solar FEED Study and Concept Design
Blackfish completed a concept design and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study for an offshore floating solar installation, supporting the development of scalable renewable energy infrastructure in marine environments. The study covered platform configuration, panel selection, mooring and manufacturing strategy for two sizes of platform.
Challenge
The client needed a technically viable, commercially attractive offshore floating solar concept capable of operating in challenging marine conditions, with early decisions still open on platform configuration, panel selection, mooring and manufacturing strategy.
Approach
Blackfish assessed the offshore floating solar landscape before developing FEED-level designs for two different sizes of platform, running concept generation and selection activities. Tasks included naval architecture, mooring, solar yield and structural assessments to evaluate feasibility, alongside manufacturing, assembly and maintenance strategies for future deployment.
Outcome
The study delivered a robust technical basis for advancing offshore floating solar development, giving the client a clear concept design, engineering rationale and deployment strategy. It established confidence in the proposed platform configurations and a practical route toward commercial implementation.
Tidal Industry Steel Requirements Engagement Programme
Blackfish facilitated collaboration between leading tidal energy developers and CRM, the R&D arm of ArcelorMittal, one of the world's largest steel manufacturers. The engagement programme provided valuable insight into the material requirements of the emerging tidal energy sector and established new relationships across the supply chain.
Challenge
As part of its investigation into tidal energy as a potential growth market, the CRM Group (Centre for research in Metallurgy), a strategic partner of ArcelorMittal, sought direct industry insight into the technical, commercial and procurement requirements associated with tidal
turbine structures.
Approach
Blackfish designed and managed a structured engagement programme involving workshops
with two major tidal energy developers.
The process involved defining key topics related to market trends, technical requirements,
sustainability, procurement considerations and data requirements. Blackfish coordinated discussions, facilitated knowledge exchange and oversaw the development and presentation of
detailed information packs tailored to the client's objectives.
Outcome
The programme provided CRM Group and ArcelorMittal with first-hand insight into the steel
requirements of tidal energy projects, enabling a stronger understanding of future market opportunities. The engagement also established new relationships between the steel manufacturer and tidal developers, creating opportunities for future collaboration.
Verification and Validation Strategy for Novel Energy Storage Technology
Blackfish helped Solead establish a clear, credible technology development roadmap through a structured Verification and Validation workshop process. The work supported the commercialisation of Solead's novel, patented battery and energy storage technology, giving the team a defined strategy to share with investors, regulators and stakeholders.
Challenge
Solead had developed a novel, patented energy storage technology and needed a structured approach to managing technical risk and planning validation for commercialisation. Key knowledge sat within the engineering team but wasn't yet documented in a way that could support investors and regulators.
Approach
Blackfish facilitated a structured Verification and Validation workshop, guiding Solead through identifying critical requirements, assessing risks and selecting the most appropriate validation methods. The team challenged assumptions and combined activities to reduce development cost and timescale, bringing the outputs together into a clear roadmap from testing through to commercial deployment.
Outcome
The workshop gave Solead a clearly defined development strategy, helping the team communicate its plans more effectively to investors, regulators and other stakeholders. It also helped Solead focus on the highest-value development activities while reducing unnecessary effort and cost.
why innovators choose blackfish
Multidisciplinary Capability
Mechanical design, simulation, manufacturing, and testing sit under one roof, so you have a single point of contact.
Bespoke Problem Solving
We take on the problems that don't fit a standard approach, because that's the work we're built for.
Practical Manufacturing Experience
Hands-on engineering experience across offshore renewables, industrial equipment and emerging hardware technologies.
Embedded Partnerships
As an agile, flexible consultancy, we work as part of your team from day one, with communications at all levels.
Agile Delivery
We adapt as a project develops, rather than locking you into a fixed scope from day one.
Passion For Challenge
We're motivated by finding solutions to unique, difficult challenges.
Engineering For Innovators
CONTACT
Bristol (Head Office)
4 Unity St, Bristol BS1 5HH
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Registered Company of England & Wales 10169509
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