General – Partnership in Australia
The University of Melbourne Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT) has partnered with Ørsted to bolster Australia’s shift towards renewable energy by combining extensive worldwide expertise with cutting-edge Australian research capabilities.
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Dean Professor Mark Cassidy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ørsted, which has over thirty years of experience in the development of offshore wind energy projects with wind farms across three continents in Europe, America and the Asia-Pacific region.
The MOU will bring together Ørsted’s unique operational experience with the University’s deep knowledge of the local marine environment, biodiversity and Indigenous Sea Country to help design and deliver the best offshore wind outcomes in Australia.
In addition to fostering academic and research cooperation within the offshore wind sector, the partnership will also focus on enhancing the preparedness of students and researchers for careers in the growing renewable energy sector.
Ørsted believes the development of an Australian offshore wind industry holds huge potential for experienced professionals with transferrable skills and those just entering the workforce.
The initial phase of Ørsted’s proposed project off the coast of Gippsland in Victoria will create up to 6,000 jobs, with local workers and students able to tap into its technical knowledge and skills transfer programmes.
The partnership with Ørsted will begin with a guest lecture on offshore wind foundation design delivered by Ørsted Senior Specialist, Avi Shonberg, in a newly launched subject ‘Offshore Wind Geotechnical Engineering’.
