HiDef Aerial Surveying has been conducting digital aerial surveys for the Gippsland 01 offshore wind project in Australia for the past three months. As Ørsted’s first offshore wind project in Australia, Gippsland 01 represents a significant step toward diversifying the nation’s renewable energy landscape. Collaborating with AECOM as the environmental lead and Nature Advisory as a key local partner, HiDef has already gathered valuable data on marine mammals and seabird populations in the region.
By combining our extensive European experience with Nature Advisory’s deep local expertise, we are delivering high-quality environmental data essential for understanding the unique ecological dynamics of Gippsland waters. These baseline studies are among the first of their kind in Australia and play a crucial role in ensuring that offshore wind developments are both sustainable and environmentally responsible.
Why Offshore Wind Matters for Australia
Offshore wind farms, like Gippsland 01, are poised to be game-changers for Australia’s energy sector. With the potential to generate up to 2.8 GW of clean energy, the project will significantly contribute to the country’s decarbonisation goals and energy security. Offshore wind presents numerous advantages, including:
- High Energy Output: Offshore wind turbines harness stronger and more consistent winds compared to onshore installations.
- Efficient Land Use: Offshore farms preserve valuable land resources and reduce visual impacts on communities.
- Economic Growth: These projects can drive job creation, strengthen supply chains, and stimulate investment in coastal regions.
- Environmental Sustainability: When carefully planned, offshore wind farms can coexist with marine ecosystems, supporting Australia’s journey to net zero emissions.
Digital Aerial Surveying: A Proven Method
Digital aerial surveys are a standard requirement for offshore wind baseline studies across Europe, providing crucial data on seabirds and marine mammals. Now, HiDef’s digital aerial surveying technology is setting new standards for environmental monitoring in Australia, supporting baseline data collection for Ørsted’s Gippsland 01 project.
Our bespoke technology offers several advantages:
- High resolution video: Our video technology captures up to 8 detailed images per animal, capable of achieving high species identification rates of over 95% for seabirds in Europe.
- Minimise disturbance: HiDef conducts surveys at an altitude above 500 m, setting us apart from other digital aerial providers. This unique approach ensures safe operations above offshore infrastructure while minimising disturbance to seabirds and marine mammals.
- Angled, rotatable cameras: HiDef’s cameras are angled 30° off vertical for better species identification and can be rotated to significantly reduce the risk of data loss from glare.
- Comprehensive coverage: Efficient and cost-effective method for survey of vast offshore areas, providing robust seabird and marine mammal data to support approvals.
As Australia’s offshore wind sector continues to grow, adopting proven methodologies from Europe, such as HiDef’s digital aerial surveys, can help to streamline its success.
A Successful Collaboration
Our collaboration with Nature Advisory has been a cornerstone of the project’s success. Combining our advanced technology and years of survey experience in Europe with Nature Advisory’s deep understanding of local Australian species has created a powerful partnership. Together, we are ensuring that environmental data collected for Gippsland 01 meets the highest standards, contributing valuable insights for the Project and the broader offshore wind sector.
Looking Ahead
HiDef is proud to be part of this pioneering project, supporting Australia’s transition to clean energy while safeguarding its unique marine environment. As we continue our work on Gippsland 01, we remain committed to delivering data-driven insights that empower sustainable energy solutions for future generations.
