Follow us:
Subscribe to our newsletter

logo

  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Products and Services
  • Events
  • Online Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Home
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Products
  • Events
  • Online Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Contact

New facility in WA to tackle complex ocean engineering challenges

08 Dec, 2020
21
Image credit: The University of Western Australia.

A new facility at The University of Western Australia (UWA) will enable research and testing of solutions to some of WA’s most significant ocean engineering challenges, including protecting coastlines from flooding and erosion, finding new ways to harness renewable energy resources and gaining insights critical to protect and rehabilitate coral reefs. 

Launched this month, the Coastal and Offshore Engineering Laboratory (COEL) comprises a 1900 square metre hydraulics laboratory.

It includes a 50-metre long wave flume to analyse deep and shallow water wave conditions, an ‘O’Tube’ flume that replicates waves and currents along seabeds and additional facilities to carry out coastal and oceanography research.

The facility is run by a team of UWA scientists who work closely with local industry.

Associate Professor Scott Draper from the UWA Oceans Graduate School said the new facility will facilitate world-leading research and innovation in offshore and coastal engineering.

“The laboratory brings together unique facilities that will provide us with the ability to carry out research at a local level, to benefit WA industry and the community,” Professor Draper said.

“Most importantly, through collaboration with industry, it will provide opportunities to develop innovative and unique engineering solutions to grow the blue economy, allowing us to capitalise on the opportunities our ocean has to offer, but also protect this important and precious resource.”

Associate Professor Draper said the laboratory could facilitate a vast scope of research.

“It is even being used by leading sports scientists to test open-water swimmers on how they perform in different wave conditions, and has potential to be used in growing industries such as aquaculture and marine renewable energy,” he said.

The coastal team. Image credit: The University of Western Australia.

“We are also using the facility to research coral in an attempt to better rehabilitate coral reefs, which is vitally important for the future of ecosystems off the WA coast and for the future of our planet.”

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma said research at the new facility will improve understanding of the Western Australian coastline and offshore activity.

“This research will provide invaluable insights to help industry, governments and planning in WA,” Professor Chakma said.

“UWA’s world-class standing in engineering and oceanography, combined with the capabilities of this new facility, will be a great asset to the Western Australian community.”

The facility and research have been made possible with the support of industry and the State and Federal governments.

Related Articles

bp to lead and operate WA renewables and green hydrogen energy hub

Connecting Renewable Energy Conference

Australia-Asia PowerLink

Global team to deliver the Australia-Asia PowerLink Project

Heliostat technology shines at Rhodes Central

Heliostat technology shines at Rhodes Central

Comments

Leave a comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Latest Posts

  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Resources
24 Jun

EEC Professional Certifications to prepare Australia’s energy workforce

24 Jun

Funding to extend operations of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics 

22 Jun

Emerging technologies like LEMs can solve Australia’s energy crisis

17 Jun

End-of-life plan needed for tens of thousands of wind turbine blades

17 Jun

Record growth in renewables but historic chance for clean energy recovery is missed, according to report

23 Jun

Cities of the future may be built with algae-grown limestone

22 Jun

Global sophisticated green building designs awarded

22 Jun

A national environmental impact standard to measure embodied carbon

15 Jun

Australian cities falling behind global cities on sustainability according to 2022 Sustainable Cities Index

14 Jun

Only timber can tackle climate change – timber and the latest construction technology

24 Jun

Farmers say food supply must come before gas export industry

23 Jun

WA to cut emissions by 80 per cent by 2030 for state utilities

21 Jun

Pathways to sustainable metal production and greening grids

20 Jun

Business leaders called on to slash Scope 3 emissions

16 Jun

Review shows positive economic outcomes in green government spending

Online Magazine

    Current Cover
  • Login
  • Subscribe

Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter

Our Other Titles

  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
© Sage Media Group 2022 All Rights Reserved.
×
Authorization
  • Registration
 This feature has been disabled
 This feature has been disabled until further notice, however you may still register
×
Registration
  • Autorization
Register
* All fields required