ACOWE is addressing an urgent research and workforce development gap for the Australian Offshore Wind sector through our five interdisciplinary themes.
ACOWE has consulted with industry, policy makers, and colleagues from around the world to develop the research priorities responding to the challenge of a large-scale deployment in Australia, a scale not seen even in the mature European market.
| Key Challenges | Policy & Regulatory
Social Acceptance | Biodiversity | Technology & Engineering | Infrastructure
Supply Chain | Workforce |
|---|
| Research Priorities | Community & Cultural Heritage | Marine Environment | Offshore Engineering | Logistics | Workforce Pipeline |
1.1 First Nations - Equity & participation
- Mapping & valuing sea country
- Cultural heritage & mitigation
| 2.1 Effect Studies - Flora & fauna survey (marine, benthic, freshwater, terrestrial, atmosphere)
- Ecological impact assessment
- Coastal dynamics & biophysical processes
| 3.1 Ocean Engineering - Metocean engineering
- Wave-fluid-structure interaction (floating wind)
| 4.1 Supply Chain - Component supply
- Decarbonisation of supply chain
| 5.1 Primary/Secondary |
1.2 Community & Industries - Economic benefits
- Social benefits
- New industries
| 2.2 Monitoring & Management - Biodiversity monitoring, coastal dynamics & biophysical processes
| 3.2 Geotechnical Engineering - Seabed (calcareous) characterisation
- Soil-structure interaction
- Floating wind concept (anchors, mooring & cables)
- Geohazards
| 4.2 Infrastructure Initiation - Ports & harbour engineering
- Port initiation & risk
- Electrical power system integration
- Finance
| 5.2 Higher Education - TAFE as an endpoint
- TAFE to university pathway
- Internship for Commonwealth placements
- Specialised post-graduate subjects
|
1.3 Legal & Regulatory - Policy/Guidelines/ Frameworks
- Trade agreements
- Marine cadastre (information & regulation)
- Native Title/Traditional Ownership
- Incentives
- EPBC Act/Cultural Heritage Acts
| 2.3 Mitigation & Opportunities - Ecological engineering of marine infrastructures
- Artificial habitats/refugia
- Nature positive designs
| | 4.3 Operation & Maintenance - Structural monitoring & maintenance
- Demand modelling
- Biofouling
| 5.3 Continuing Education - Micro-credential and technical courses
|
| | 2.4 Decommissioning | | 4.4 Decommissioning | 5.4 Reskilling - Retraining & transition courses (in partnership with professional bodies)
|
| « Spatial Information Prioritisation Optimisation Project Management » |