Keywords MERMAID · Multi-use offshore platforms · Socio-economic
assessment · Energy extraction · Aquaculture · Transport · Web-based tool
5.1 Introduction
This chapter describes a decision support tool that was designed and developed for
the MERMAID project (EU-FP7), which has already indicated in this book developed concepts for next-generation offshore platforms for multi-use of ocean space
for energy extraction, aquaculture, and platform-related transport. Specifically, it
evaluated the potential and challenges of building multi-use offshore platforms
(MUOPs) (MERMAID 2014). The MERMAID project considers four offshore
study sites for multi-use offshore platforms, Atlantic Ocean site, Wadden-North
Sea site, Baltic Sea site, and Mediterranean Sea site. Each site is considered in terms
of its available resources and unique features. This tool was part of the framework
for assessing the socio-economic impact of MUOPs and, as such, utilized web and
data analytics state of the art technologies in order to provide researchers with a
framework for evaluating feasibility and potential of each MUOP’s proposed design
and location (Koundouri 2017).
Firstly, we will present the purpose, as well as an overview of the design and
information flow in the tool. We will then describe our methodology and implementation of this tool, emphasizing the structure and underlying assumptions based on
project MERMAID’s particular characteristics. We will then briefly describe the
tool’s technology and architecture. Finally, we will outline our conclusions and
highlight additional features that we think can further enhance this tool, as well as
similar tools.
5.2 Overview of the Tool
5.2.1 Purpose and Underlying Structure
The assessment tool developed in MERMAID project is an electronic decision
support system that applies an Integrated Socio-Economic Assessment methodology
for identifying the optimal design and combination of provision of services, of multiuse offshore platforms. The e-tool integrates legal, institutional, technological,
financial, socio-economic, and environmental parameters. It provides the user with
questionnaires for technical and legal feasibility assessment, as well as financial,
economic, and environmental impact assessment. Based on the user’s answers, it
advices on the feasibility and sustainability of a potential offshore platform investment. The MERMAID decision support system (DSS) uses data provided by the
users in a predetermined format, while it enables the user to evaluate the risk of the
84
E. Mailli et al.
assessment · Energy extraction · Aquaculture · Transport · Web-based tool
5.1 Introduction
This chapter describes a decision support tool that was designed and developed for
the MERMAID project (EU-FP7), which has already indicated in this book developed concepts for next-generation offshore platforms for multi-use of ocean space
for energy extraction, aquaculture, and platform-related transport. Specifically, it
evaluated the potential and challenges of building multi-use offshore platforms
(MUOPs) (MERMAID 2014). The MERMAID project considers four offshore
study sites for multi-use offshore platforms, Atlantic Ocean site, Wadden-North
Sea site, Baltic Sea site, and Mediterranean Sea site. Each site is considered in terms
of its available resources and unique features. This tool was part of the framework
for assessing the socio-economic impact of MUOPs and, as such, utilized web and
data analytics state of the art technologies in order to provide researchers with a
framework for evaluating feasibility and potential of each MUOP’s proposed design
and location (Koundouri 2017).
Firstly, we will present the purpose, as well as an overview of the design and
information flow in the tool. We will then describe our methodology and implementation of this tool, emphasizing the structure and underlying assumptions based on
project MERMAID’s particular characteristics. We will then briefly describe the
tool’s technology and architecture. Finally, we will outline our conclusions and
highlight additional features that we think can further enhance this tool, as well as
similar tools.
5.2 Overview of the Tool
5.2.1 Purpose and Underlying Structure
The assessment tool developed in MERMAID project is an electronic decision
support system that applies an Integrated Socio-Economic Assessment methodology
for identifying the optimal design and combination of provision of services, of multiuse offshore platforms. The e-tool integrates legal, institutional, technological,
financial, socio-economic, and environmental parameters. It provides the user with
questionnaires for technical and legal feasibility assessment, as well as financial,
economic, and environmental impact assessment. Based on the user’s answers, it
advices on the feasibility and sustainability of a potential offshore platform investment. The MERMAID decision support system (DSS) uses data provided by the
users in a predetermined format, while it enables the user to evaluate the risk of the
84
E. Mailli et al.