Changing how we plan offshore renewables: Change Beetle

Why Melbourne?

We chose a shared workspace in the QV building because it was central to everything and easy to get around on public transport. With many of our new potential renewable energy clients recently opening offices in the CBD, having a city address makes liaising with them simple.   And, of course, there’s never a shortage of great venues for lunch or dinner after work. Being in Melbourne compared to anywhere else in Australia is a no brainer. 

Challenge

As Australia’s appetite grows for wind energy infrastructure, developers are increasingly looking offshore to find viable sites. While offshore developments avoid some of the community-related issues of their land-based counterparts, they also have their own challenges, such as working in a sensitive marine environments and alongside fishing associations and other key stakeholders.  Installing them in the often rough seas of somewhere like Bass Strait is also very challenging. 

As well as the delays and disruptions from weather there are supply chain bottlenecks, which include a forecasted global shortage of the specialised survey and construction vessels needed for installation.  

Existing planning processes add yet another level of complexity. Many are so fragmented they often require data from very diverse sources to be entered manually. Such logistical and natural hurdles directly affect the overall efficiency and affordability of offshore wind farm development in Australia and around the world. 

Solution

Change Beetle is pioneering the development of an innovative software platform designed to streamline the planning and logistical processes used in the offshore wind farm industry. This innovative tool leverages advanced simulation and optimisation technologies to offer a comprehensive solution that covers every phase of offshore wind farm development, from initial site selection through to construction and operational logistics. 

The software is distinct in its ability to integrate environmental data, advanced geospatial analytics, and project management features. This helps users make more informed decisions, reduces project risks and significantly lowers costs.  

Unlike existing solutions, Change Beetle’s platform offers a unified, user-friendly interface that simplifies complex logistics. By providing precise and actionable insights, our software speeds up the development process and improves efficiency of projects designed to commercialise clean energy technologies. 

Result

Once this tool is adopted by developers and contractors, its modelling and optimisation capabilities will encourage further innovation in offshore wind farm development planning. Our tool will help make it more efficient and affordable to develop offshore wind farms.  

In the medium term, we believe this will increase the availability of renewable energy for consumers, encourage greater integration of wind power into the grid. Long term, we hope it will also help create ‘green jobs’ in local manufacturing and boost investment in renewable energy projects in Australia.