We are excited to announce the third event in our series, “Renewable Energy in the Illawarra: hydrogen hubs, whales, wind, Artificial Intelligence and digital aerial surveying”, sponsored by Stantec and HiDef Aerial Surveying. Building on the insights shared in previous events on impact assessments and approvals for renewable developments, this event will delve into the critical considerations for offshore wind energy development.

Participants will gain an understanding of critical and niche factors in offshore wind impact assessment, how Artificial Intelligence technologies and digital aerial surveying methods can provide crucial inputs for these assessments, and the transformative potential of the Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub and how it is linked to the expanding renewables development in the region.

We have a fantastic lineup of speakers with diverse expertise in offshore wind:

Andrea Ahrens | Principal Marine Scientist, Stantec

Andrea will present on offshore wind development, diving deep into the learnings from her 7 years of experience in offshore wind (OSW) in the US. Her presentation will go into detail regarding niche elements of environmental impact assessment in the OSW context, with a particular focus on marine mammal impact assessment, as well as other considerations like underwater noise and electromagnetic fields, during both construction and operation.

Maria Gaedeke | Australia Program Manager, HiDef Aerial Surveying; and Jess Harvey | Marine Ecology Consultant, HiDef Aerial Surveying

Maria and Jess will present on the applications of Artificial Intelligence technologies in environmental impact assessment for offshore wind farms. They will focus on digital aerial surveys, Spacewhale and AVES anti-collision technologies and the role these play in overcoming the significant baseline data challenges that the industry faces for seabirds and marine mammals.

Nigel McKinnon | Chair of the Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub

Nigel will provide an overview of the hydrogen capabilities (current and future) within and surrounding Port Kembla. The Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub is facilitated by the NSW Government through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation of Councils. Established in February 2020, it is the longest running hydrogen hub group in Australia and has the ambitious vision to create Australia's first 5GW+ green hydrogen hub.

As a bonus, the first 15 paid registrations for this event will be offered an opportunity to participate in a bus tour of the Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub, to be arranged as a follow-up field trip at a later date*.

Join us in person or online for this hybrid event, learning from both local initiatives and international best practices in offshore renewable energy and hydrogen developments.

Thank you to our event sponsors

CPD Points

*Note: the date and details for the bus tour are yet to be confirmed. Registration and payment for the18 November 2024 event does not entitle the ticket holder to any refund should they be unable to attend the bus tour when the date is confirmed. If unable to attend, EIANZ would offer the seat on the bus to the next paid registrant.