Research Project

Offshore hybrid renewable energy systems, integrating wind, solar, and wave technologies, have a strong potential to accelerate the global shift toward a net-zero economy. However, identifying optimal locations for these systems remains a challenge due to the lack of a comprehensive, autonomous spatial framework. Existing site assessment approaches often fail to incorporate the full range of environmental, technical, economic, and social factors necessary for informed decision-making.

This project proposes the development of an autonomous spatial decision-support tool that addresses this gap. By applying advanced geospatial analysis techniques, the project will extract, integrate, and evaluate large-scale spatial datasets. The outcome will be an interactive spatial dashboard that provides multi-criteria evaluations of potential sites for offshore hybrid renewable energy systems. The tool will be designed to reflect market demand, energy reliability requirements, and key sustainability considerations. It will enable stakeholders—including policymakers, planners, and investors—to efficiently identify and prioritise suitable locations for further detailed assessment and infrastructure development. Through this approach, the project aims to improve strategic planning for renewable energy deployment and support more effective investment in sustainable energy infrastructure. The research will contribute significantly to the advancement of data-driven tools for accelerating clean energy transitions.    

Funding Information: Blue Economy CRC, Feb 2026 - Aug 2029, Project value: $78,873