Oscar Chaves Marques

A multidisciplinary research team project for the development of novel applications for breakthrough technologies, through a focus on open-innovation and human-centred design. Where I extensively networked with potential industrial partners as well as research scientists (at CERN in Geneva, but not only) as to diverge into various potential opportunities and eventually converge them onto a single preferred option for a proof-of-concept report, with an accompanying prototype.

Based in the Environmental Management team and contributed to a broad spectrum of projects, developing various functions from the drafting of Environmental Statements to undertaking Preliminary Environmental Assessments which involved from accompanying technical experts to sites to aiding principal managers in liaising with clients in meetings. Additionally partook in projects through a process engineering scope in Wastewater Management, where he aided in technical calculations and data analysis of Treatment Works.

More detailed accounts regarding projects and clients can be found below:

• PDU scheme, Environment Agency: I undertook desk-based assessments by evaluating findings in known environmental databases (i.e. Magic) and compiled environmental checklists which outlined the likely environmental constraints for either an outlined scope of works or a shortlist of options. I undertook an Options Appraisal that determined a preferred environmental option location and drafted an Environmental Action Plan (EAP), acted as a Plus One for a Phase 1 habitat survey and compiled a summary of consultation responses.
• Boston Barrier, Environment Agency: I aided in the project CEEQUAL Assessment by appraising evidence gaps for different sections of the assessment and proposing documents found in databases (i.e. Project Wise) and public project domains that would resolve them. Also attended project meetings, drafted minutes and acted as a plus one for short-term noise monitoring surveys.
• Kenya LPG and LNG feasibility studies, Mott Macdonald: I’ve appraised and summarised evidence found in public documents, such as the “Petroleum Master Plan” and the “National Energy Policy”, relevant to a study being conducted to convert a thermal power station from an oil feed to an LNG feed. I have also conducted a high-level market research for the conversion of an 87MW thermal power plant from an oil feed to an LPG feed.
• Beckton STW AMP-7 Upgrade, Thames Water: I produced virtual traces for calculations of flow, load, dissolved oxygen suppression, and removal rates. But also, analysed sample data and worked with the project team to smooth out any outliers or more prominent gaps in sampling results. I then checked for contractual compliance of subcontractor sampling and produced a document that highlighted pollutant parameter ratios (e.g. COD:BOD, VSS:TSS), proportion of data below limit of detection and proportion of real to estimated data input into a Moata model to help determine budget spent and reliability of sample data. Additionally, I have produced a whole station mass balance using continuous data and a 2-year whole station performance (95%ile) analysis as to aid in the assessment of average plant behaviour and likelihood of breaching temperature dependant consents. Furthermore, I have attended interdisciplinary and external project review meetings as well as analysed air flow data from different site instrumentation to help determine whether air shortages would be expected within five years as to justify and determine the support infrastructure needed to cope with catchment growth and Lee Tunnel integration.
• NIW performance optimisation, Northern Ireland Water: I analysed data and produced reports that summarised the operational behaviour of pilot NIW plants. Additionally, I produced dashboard outlines in Power BI, to facilitate a proof of concept for a performance calculator. These dashboard drafts consisted in graphical tools that weighed weekly averaged results for discharge consent and compared them to model predictions, these then followed into colour coded alarms for the selected key parameters in order to devise a tool that would identify key parameters for improved performance and facilitate optimisation or upgrade design decisions, this would then feed into a digital twin producer for desired plants.
• SSE Lerwick Power Station, LFO Conversion, Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks: I have produced a report which outlined safety recommendations for upgrades to power station structures (e.g. bunds, bulk tanks, firefighting systems) that would facilitate the conversion of storage tanks from storing Medium-fuel oil (MFO) to Light-fuel oil (LFO).
• March to Wisbech, Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority: I have conducted a baseline desk assessment to inform a mode of transportation options appraisal. I then drafted an environmental report which involved assessing baseline conditions to determine initial environmental constraints and impacts that could arise from construction and operation of the scheme.
• Hull Defences, Environment Agency: I have drafted ‘Design Change notes’ and the environment section of construction handover documents - ‘Health and Safety notes’ - for different sections of the scheme.
• A1307 and A428, Greater Cambridge Partnership: I took notes and drafted minutes for risk assessment meetings/workshops with the client and associated stakeholders. I have also collected supporting evidence for the recommendation of a natural capital appraisal.
• HS2 NVC and Bats Dusk and Dawn Surveys, High Speed 2: I accompanied ‘National Vegetation Classification’ and ‘Bat Emergence’ site surveys. I also aided in the arrangement of surveyors and their mobilisation for other various ecological surveys.
• EVT divisional Utilisation tracker, Mott Macdonald: I optimised the utilisation data for the United Kingdom MM Environment division. By extracting or finding different ways for viably storing data that fed into a Power BI report which I then compiled. This aided in justifying recruitment, bidding and specialist team-cooperation decisions and involved liaising with specialist team leaders, the EVT divisional manager and the use of macros and power query.
• Mogden AMP 7 Upgrade, Thames Water: I analysed 48hr site sampled turbidity readings and gauged them to reference samples as to help determine the reliability of daytime data compared to night-time.
• Miscellaneous tasks, Cambridge Process Engineering, Mott Macdonald: I conducted correlation studies for discolouration complaints and the amount of water supplied per source area.