University of Melbourne and Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm collaborate on research and education

Article by Darcy Wall | 12 Jun 2024

The University of Melbourne and the Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm have agreed to collaborate on the exploration of research and education opportunities related to the offshore wind industry.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Spinifex, a 1GW+ Offshore Wind Farm, which is being developed by Alinta Energy and Parkwind in the Southern Ocean Region in south-west Victoria, will work with the University of Melbourne on offshore wind research, knowledge sharing and workforce education opportunities.

Spinifex Project Development Manager Linden Blair said it was exciting to be collaborating with an education provider like the University of Melbourne.  

“The University of Melbourne’s multidisciplinary research capabilities offer great potential to support the development of offshore wind projects,” Mr Blair said. 

“We’re also excited to be collaborating with the University of Melbourne to grow an offshore wind ready workforce. The offshore wind industry has the potential to create thousands of jobs in Australia so it’s important that industry and education providers collaborate to develop a workforce pipeline. 

Spinifex Project Manager Linden Blair and UoM Prof Ben Rubenstein sit at a table holding their copies of the MoU with members of their teams standing behind them smiling.
Back row L-R: A/Prof John Morrongiello (Biosciences), Dr Rebecca Morris (Biosciences), Elaine Trantor (Spinifex Foundation Package Manager), A/Prof Shiaohuey Chow (IE) Front row L-R: Linden Blair (Spinifex Project Development Manager), Prof Ben Rubinstein (FEIT Acting Deputy Dean - Research)

“We look forward to working with the University on opportunities to support the training of the next generation of workers such as engineers, marine biologists and the many other skill sets necessary to construct and maintain offshore wind infrastructure.” 

Acting Deputy Dean (Research) for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Professor Ben Rubinstein said that the collaboration represents a significant step towards integrating cutting-edge research with practical industry applications. 

“Our partnership will not only advance offshore wind technology, but also create valuable opportunities for our students and researchers to engage in real-world challenges and innovations,” Professor Rubinstein said.  

University of Melbourne project lead Associate Professor Shiaohuey Chow welcomed the MOU, which will kickstart collaborations between the two organisations to support the burgeoning offshore wind sector in Australia. 
 
“In addition to developing the workshop pipeline, our multidisciplinary research capabilities at the University of Melbourne will support the whole development lifecycle of the Spinifex Offshore Wind project,” Associate Professor Chow said.

Further reading

Find out more about the Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm below.

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