By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A LEADING Geelong engineering firm wants to adapt its commercial wind turbine technology to an iconic structure proposed for Geelong’s waterfront.
Austeng managing director Ross George said the Sea Dragon structure should be built to generate jobs.
Austeng has built uniquely designed silent wind turbines for business and industrial sites on behalf of Renewable Energy Solutions Australia.
JOH Architect’s Sea Dragon won $10,000 from Senia Lawyers in an Icon for Geelong competition to design a landmark for the city.
The design features nine wind turbines powering a floating corkscrew-like structure driving an undulating wave.
“Our clients are happy for us to use the turbine technology in constructing the Sea Dragon,” Mr George said.
“It all fits in nicely if we can use something developed in Geelong by a Geelong company. Having it made in Geelong would add some weight to the final impact of the project.
“It makes it more iconic if it’s made here and by creating local jobs I’d hope there’s a better chance of getting funding.”
Mr George said the design’s six-metre diameter turbines would produce around 225 megawatt hours of power.
“Using wind power to generate the electricity would allow us to feed a lot back into grid and use a bit to turn the Sea Dragon.”
Mr George said the project was “eminently doable”.
He estmiated construction and installation would cost $2.5 million to $3 million.
“The next step is to get people excited about the prospect because it would be a boost for the city and help mark the revitalisation.
“It would be a benchmark project for the new Geelong, demonstrating we’re modern, renewable and smart.”
