Webinar: Developing Offshore Wind Energy in Australia

Name: Dr Danielle Smith
Affiliation: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Policy Futures, University of Queensland

Dr Danielle Smith is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Policy Futures, University of Queensland. Danielle works on the Blue Economy CRC project identifying international best practices in the legal and policy frameworks that will inform and govern the expanding offshore wind energy industry in Australia.

Danielle’s areas of expertise are in international ocean governance, international environmental legal institutions and regimes, marine protected areas (MPAs) in particular biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), marine spatial planning, environmental impact assessments, and impacts of anthropogenic activities and other climatic impacts on offshore marine and coastal environments. Danielle has seven years working experience in ocean governance and over 15 years’ experience working as a marine environmental consultant conducting environmental impact assessments for large development projects such as, coastal defence plans, port developments, offshore wind farms, nuclear power stations, offshore oil and gas activities, etc., both within Australia and internationally.

Danielle has worked in the offshore oil and gas industry for several years before moving into the burgeoning offshore wind energy industry arena, and through her experience has come to understand the successes and challenges of the regulatory framework from both a scientific and legal background.

Name: Dr Hugh Breakey
Affiliation: Senior Research Fellow, Griffith University

Dr Hugh Breakey is a Senior Research Fellow in moral philosophy at Griffith University’s Institute for Ethics, Governance & Law. His research spans political theory, normative ethics, governance studies and applied philosophy, exploring the ethical challenges in such diverse fields as peacekeeping, argument, institutional governance, climate change, social licence to operate, sustainable tourism, private property, professional ethics and international law.

As well as his academic contributions, with more than fifty research publications, Hugh’s work has practical significance. He has consulted for several Australian government agencies, including ASIC, FASEA and the Professional Standards Councils. Since 2013, he has served as President of the Australian Association of Professional and Applied Ethics.

Name: Prof Stephen Cahoon
Affiliation: Professor, Maritime and Logistics Management, AMC, UTAS 

Professor Stephen Cahoon is a highly experienced senior academic leader and industry-focused researcher in the Centre for Maritime and Logistics Management at the Australian Maritime College. He is also the co-lead of the Logistics and Supply Chains work package in the Blue Economy offshore wind energy project.

Stephen has attracted research funding of almost $28 million (AUD cash) across 36 major industry and government projects and published over 150 papers in seaport and shipping management, logistics, supply chain management, and Industry 4.0 practices. Stephen is also currently supervising 9 PhD candidates in these areas and a member of four Tasmanian and Australian logistics and transport-related industry committees.

Name: Dr Anna Lewis
Affiliation: Environment Director, Nexsphere 

Anna manages environmental planning and assessment processes for Nexsphere, who are developing the Bass Offshore Wind Energy project (BOWE) in partnership with Equinor. A specialist in marine ecology, approvals, and stakeholder engagement, Anna has 20 years’ experience through research, industry, and government roles.

Anna completed her honours research on stingray ecology and later studied harbour seals and humpback whales. She has developed sea turtle monitoring programs and oiled wildlife response capability for oil & gas clients including BHP, Apache, and Chevron. Anna has also developed environment plans for NOPSEMA and managed University research programs that focus on advancing the Blue Economy. Dr Lewis has a Bachelor of Science in marine science, Master of environmental management, and a PhD in coastal management (Ningaloo coast) supported by CSIRO.

Name: Erin Coldham
Affiliation: Chief Development Officer, Southerly Ten

Erin Coldham is the Chief Development Officer at Southerly Ten – a dedicated offshore wind company leading some of Australia’s most advanced projects. Erin brings decades of experience in major project planning and delivery and currently oversees Southerly Ten’s planning and development activities, working with industry, regulators, policymakers, and local communities to bring offshore wind to regional Australia.

Erin is part of a global team of offshore wind specialists representing 30 nationalities across the world, delivering for one of the world’s largest green energy fund managers, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. Included in A Word About Wind’s Top 100 Women’s Power List and a Founding Director of Women of Offshore Wind, Erin is a champion for diversity in the energy industry and is driven by the positive opportunities offshore wind represents for Australia.

Name: Dr Hossein Agheshlui
Affiliation: Principal Offshore Wind Engineer, BMT

Dr Hossein Agheshlui is a Principal Offshore Wind Engineer at BMT with over 16 years of industry and research experience. He holds a PhD in structural engineering and an MSc in Offshore Structures Engineering. He was also a researcher at The University of Melbourne, authoring several publications in top engineering journals and conferences.

Hossein has been actively contributing to the renewable energy projects, focusing on offshore wind, also onshore wind and utility-scale solar. He has worked on design and assessment of several offshore wind projects in the Asia Pacific region, on projects in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia.

Name: Dr Dorothy Dankel
Affiliation: Senior Research Scientist, SINTEF

Dr. Dorothy Dankel is a researcher and academic, known for her pioneering work in transdisciplinary marine governance and sustainable fisheries management and ocean use. She earned her Ph.D. in fisheries biology and management the University of Bergen, Norway. Dr. Dankel’s research focuses on integrating scientific knowledge into policy-making, particularly in marine ecosystems.

She has contributed significantly to international projects and publications, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges. As a senior research scientist at SINTEF Ocean in Bergen, Norway and Chair of the Nordic Marine Think Tank, Dr. Dankel’s work continues to influence marine conservation strategies globally, promoting responsible stewardship of ocean resources.

Name: Alberto Galdos Ispizua
Affiliation: General Manager, Saitec Australia

Alberto is a Civil Engineer with more than 18 years’ experience in the design of major transport and energy infrastructures. Throughout his career, he has held several senior engineering and executive positions within Saitec Group, currently being the head of the company for the Australian market.

Passionate about fostering innovation and sustainability, Alberto has developed an extensive track record in engineering solutions for complex projects. He has played an important role in Saitec’s international growth, working closely with Government Agencies and building long term relations with international Contractors in different geographies including Spain, Sweden, Qatar, and Australia. He has a solid background in ground engineering and structural analysis, and significant experience in managing and leading multidisciplinary teams on large contracts.

Name: Dr Martin Farley
Affiliation: Director, Creating Preferred Futures; Research Fellow, University of Tasmania

Martin is a practising microeconomist specialising in the dynamic, strategic development of places, industry and enterprises and how they integrate and operate to deliver strong, sustainable environmental, economic and social outcomes. His novel dynamic systems logic methodology is mirrored in the firm’s “JigSaw Logic” software and its digital twin representation, activation and performance management capabilities.

Name: Prof Marcus Haward
Affiliation: Program Leader – Sustainable Offshore Developments, Blue Economy CRC

Professor Marcus Haward is a political scientist specialising in oceans and Antarctic governance and marine resources management at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania. He is currently a Program Leader in the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre (BE-CRC). Marcus has over 240 research publications, and over 50 higher degree by research candidature completions. He is currently working on integrated oceans management, offshore aquaculture governance and the development of offshore wind energy, and Antarctic geopolitics.

Marcus Haward has contributed to the United Nations Environment Program Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6) report in 2018, and Review of Outlook Reporting in 2020. He was an expert reviewer for the IPCC oceans report in 2018. Marcus was a Contributor to and Reviewer of the Australian Government’s State of The Environment Report 2021. He is currently editor of the Australian Journal of Maritime and Oceans Affairs published by Taylor & Francis.