Session: 12-07-01 Blue Economy VII: Floating Offshore Wind and Green Shipping Technologies

Submission Number: 180667

Tasdemo: Australian Floating Offshore Wind Technology Demonstration Feasibility Study 

The TASDEMO project is a feasibility study focused on deploying Saitec Offshore’s SATH floating offshore wind turbine technology in Australian waters. Delivered through collaboration between the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre, Saitec Offshore, the Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania and BMT, this initiative aims to assess both the technical and economic viability of deploying this innovative platform. By evaluating site suitability, infrastructure requirements, regulatory frameworks, and operational logistics, TASDEMO seeks to lay the groundwork for future large-scale floating wind developments in Australia.

This project represents a pivotal step in advancing floating offshore wind in Australia. The study aims to identify suitable offshore sites for deploying a commercial-scale SATH floating wind turbine prototype in Australian waters, including estimating potential site power production and electricity connection opportunities. The project also examines transport logistics, installation, commissioning, operations, decommissioning, technical constraints, and budget considerations. Additionally, TASDEMO will develop conceptual operations and maintenance plans, assess the permitting and regulatory frameworks required for deployment, and explore funding opportunities alongside stakeholder engagement strategies. The floating platform will also function as an environmental station, with advanced monitoring systems installed to study the existing biodiversity and its interaction with the floating infrastructure, with a particular focus on potential impacts on local fauna like birds and marine mammals.

The TASDEMO study will demonstrate the entire process of developing a Floating Offshore Wind project in Australia. By showcasing this end-to-end process, the project aims to significantly reduce risks and uncertainties associated with future commercial-scale floating wind development.

Presenting Author: Irene Penesis Blue Economy CRC

Presenting Author Biography: Professor Irene Penesis is the Research Director for the Blue Economy CRC Co Ltd. Irene was the bid leader responsible for developing the AU $329 million successful application to the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) program. Irene’s passion for a transition to renewable energy, environmental sustainability and decarbonisation of marine and maritime industries led her to developing the successful application to the Commonwealth's CRC program. Irene is on secondment from the Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania where she led a multi-disciplinary research team working in the field of marine renewable energy and contributing to educating maritime engineering students in the Centre for Maritime Engineering and Hydrodynamics.

Irene is the Australian Primary Delegate of the International Energy Agency's Ocean Energy Systems (OES), and on the Steering Committees of the Tasmanian Government's Renewable Energy Action Plan, the Marine Energy Research Australia (MERA) at the University of Western Australia and MERIC Chile’s Scientific International Committee. Irene was the Chair of Marine Renewable Energy Specialist Committee of the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC) between 2011 and 2017, a peak international body developing technical guidelines and procedures relevant to the hydrodynamic testing of wave energy converters, marine current/tidal turbines and offshore wind turbines.

Authors:

Irene Penesis Blue Economy CRC
Philip Marsh Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania
Alberto Galdos Ispizua Saitec Australia
Abouzar Daneshpajouh Saitec
Chris Shearer BMT