Murray Burling: On steering MetOcean innovations
RPS’ Executive Director – MetOcean Science and Technology, Murray Burling found his lifelong passion for coastal engineering and oceanography during his childhood summers spent at Perth’s majestic beaches.
02 August 2024 | 1 min read
Q How did you get into MetOcean Science?
At university I started studying electrical engineering, but a suggestion from a friend pulled my focus to environmental engineering, which was emerging as the next big thing. I really enjoyed completing my post-graduate studies in coastal engineering and oceanography – there were so many subjects to choose from, including science and physics; it was a unique experience.
My studies really ignited my passion for the ocean which started when I was a kid. Growing up in Perth, I spent countless summer afternoons at the beach, developing a deep love of the ocean. That feeling eventually evolved into a love and fascination of the scientific aspects of the ocean during my higher education.
Q Where is the most fascinating place you have worked in Western Australia?
Shark Bay in WA stands out as particularly captivating. It features two large bays, and each one behaves differently with the tide. These tidal movements create a unique environment that’s rich with marine life like whales, and dugongs.
As a result of its distinguishing geography and geometry, part of Shark Bay is also hyper-saline, making the water very dense, and leading to a distinct marine biology.
You know you are working in MetOcean when...
"You get quizzical looks when discussing tethered buoys around the barbecue."
Q What are the current innovations in the MetOcean Science & Technology industry?
In the field of MetOcean science, my focus has been on developing new technologies, particularly in computational modelling and measurement. I am deeply passionate about these two areas because delivering accurate and comprehensive information to our clients is essential. This enables them to make well-informed, data-driven decisions.
A key project involves the renewable energy sector, particularly in offshore wind development, where we are developing new measurement technologies to analyse wind profiles above the ocean surface. This essential data is provided to offshore wind farm developers who require detailed insights to understand the wind profile impacting their turbines, which convert wind into renewable energy.
Over the last 40 years, our understanding of the ocean surface and depths below has significantly deepened due to our extensive measurements. Now, we’re leveraging these learnings and applying these insights to refine and enhance how we measure wind profiles.
Q What technology is used to measure the wind profile?
At RPS, we use our Australian-made floating LiDAR buoys to measure wind. Designed and built in Perth, this technology has a significant global impact, utilised worldwide in locations like Massachusetts in the USA, off the coast of Poland in the Baltic Sea, the Dutch coast in the Netherlands, and offshore South Korea.
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Murray Burling
Managing Director - Energy, Australia Asia Pacific