Roderick Rennison, CEng MICE, P.E., CSP
Head of Global Energy Services
SERVICES GROUP
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Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
After 30 years in structural engineering, what’s a recurring finding in your investigations that most people in the industry don’t expect?
I have found that many investigations are incomplete, fail to address key issues, or are biased, often as a result of misconceptions, inadequate planning, poor communication, or deliberate intent to mislead. The presentation of the investigation findings is often confusing or inconclusive, which is unhelpful to end-users. My challenge has been to always provide a consistently good service from my teams, and remain completely independent, irrespective of the findings.
Over 30 years, the tools and technology in industrial and renewable energy have changed significantly — what advancement has had the biggest impact on your investigation?
There are many new tools available to me in the energy sector that were not available even a few years ago. The development of highly automated data capture technologies like drone-based imaging for utility-scale solar sites, and robotic crawlers for wind turbine blades, accompanied by AI-driven data processing, has revolutionized the inspection process for large energy projects. Similarly, the advent of AI tools is transforming the way we interrogate large data files on major complex losses.
What do you wish more people understood about the work you do in industrial and renewable energy?
I hope that, as time goes by, more people understand that many of us in the engineering forensics field anticipate that the work we do brings about technological and process improvement to the energy industry that can have a real impact on the quality of people’s lives, whether through the delivery of better services, reduced costs, or better reliability.
Background
Mr. Roderick Rennison holds an MA with an emphasis in civil and structural engineering from Cambridge University. He is a professional engineer and testifying expert licensed in the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) with over 35 years of experience in civil and structural engineering, power generation, telecommunications, and commercial real estate, with proficiency in business management, forensic investigations, structural design, facilities management, and health and safety management. He heads Rimkus’ Global Energy Services business, responsible for the delivery of expert services around the world.
Mr. Rennison has served in many roles in both medium and large engineering and forensic consulting firms and also founded his own highly successful civil and structural engineering consultancy. During his career, he has performed many traditional engineering functions, ranging from project planning through detailed engineering design, construction management, failure analysis, and provision of expert testimony. He is a seasoned business manager and thought leader in the utility-scale solar space, speaking regularly at conferences.
He has negotiated and secured contracts with some of the world’s most prestigious companies and conducted research into construction industry best practices in the US and UK at one of the world’s premier research facilities.
Education and Certifications
- Civil and Structural Engineering, M.A.: Cambridge University, England (1992)
- Registered Professional Engineer: Idaho, New Mexico, and United Kingdom
- General Contractor: New Mexico
- Certified Safety Professional: Board of Certified Safety Professionals
Publications
- “Enhancing Solar PV Lifecycle Asset Management through Autonomous Drone EL Mapping” Yong Sheng KHOO, Dr. Karl BEDRICH, Mr. Jing CHAI, Dr. Yan WANG, Quantified Energy Labs, Singapore and Roderick Rennison, Senior Vice President Global Energy Services, Rimkus.
- “Approach for Measuring Reductions in Operations, Maintenance, and Energy Costs: Baseline Measures of Construction Industry Practices for the National Construction Goals.” NIST, July 1, 1998.
- “An Approach for Measuring Reductions in Delivery Time: Baseline Measures of Construction Industry Practices for the National Construction Goals.” NIST, January 1, 1998.
Contact Information
Testimony Experience
- Arbitrations
- Depositions
- Mediations
- Trials