Winners of Australia's First Offshore Wind Innovation Challenge Unveiled as Leaders Gather for UNOC

Press release for immediate distribution
SYDNEY | 10 June 2025

Summary:

As the UN Ocean Conference kicks off, Ocean Impact Organisation and Southerly Ten have announced EnviroDNA, Hullbot, and Pentarch Offshore Solutions as winners of the Offshore Wind Net Positive Challenge.
The three winning companies are developing innovative solutions that could enable the region’s emerging offshore wind (OSW) sector to have a net-positive impact, and go beyond “no net loss” as industry best practice.
Solutions include eDNA technology to safely monitor & model site biodiversity, autonomous underwater robotics for frequent cleaning of offshore support & crew transfer vessel hulls, and kelp-seeded deployment devices that integrate with scour protection to support marine reforestation.

EnviroDNA, Hullbot, and Pentarch Offshore Solutions have today been announced as winners of the Offshore Wind Net Positive Challenge by Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) and Southerly Ten. The innovation challenge, a first for Australia, attracted a diverse range of applications and aimed to identify solutions that can enable the region’s emerging offshore wind (OSW) industry to positively impact the ocean, biodiversity, and climate.

Following a rigorous selection process, winners were chosen in three different technology categories. They are (in alphabetical order):

EnviroDNA | Protection Technology: Cost-effective and scalable technology to rapidly monitor and model biodiversity and species changes from seawater samples.

““EnviroDNA is proud to be named the Protection Technology Winner. This recognition highlights how eDNA technology can support the OSW industry in guiding effective marine ecosystem restoration, empowering communities, and enabling First Nations to monitor and protect Sea Country. By doing so, we help redefine how renewable energy progress can be balanced with the health of our oceans,” said Jim Stuart, CEO of EnviroDNA.”

Hullbot | Enabling Technology: Autonomous robots providing frequent hull grooming and inspection, reducing GHG emissions of offshore support and crew transfer vessels by up to 20%.

““Hullbot’s technology helps offshore wind support vessels cut fuel use, by keeping hulls clean and efficient. As offshore renewables grow, smarter fleet maintenance is key and we’re proud to support the energy transition from beneath the surface,” said Tom Loefler, CEO of Hullbot, of the announcement”

Pentarch Offshore Solutions | Restoration Technology: Kelp-seeded deployment pods restoring ocean forests, enhancing marine biodiversity, stabilising seabeds, and supporting blue carbon capture – a Pentarch Offshore Solutions innovation.

““Winning the Restoration Technology Award affirms our commitment to innovation that benefits both industry and environment. Our kelp pod solution helps offshore wind projects deliver a net positive impact—restoring marine ecosystems while building a sustainable energy future.” said William Kanavan, Managing Director of Pentarch Offshore Solutions.”

The announcement comes as ocean stakeholders gather for the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) – running from 9-13 June in Nice, France – aiming to mobilise partnerships, secure commitments, and showcase solutions to address ocean challenges. As the world reaches the midway point of the Ocean Decade, there is an increasingly urgent need to accelerate action on sustainable development, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The solutions chosen for the Offshore Wind Net Positive Challenge illustrate what’s possible when industry looks to ocean innovation to address these areas.

“Erin Coldham, Chief Development Officer at Southerly Ten, said, “We believe that Australia can lead the world in delivering offshore wind projects that are good for the climate, nature and communities. These innovations are great examples of how things can be done in new and better ways to leave a positive legacy for the ocean and future generations.””

*Southerly Ten’s Chief Development Officer, Erin Coldham (second from left) on the panel at OIO’s INNOVOCEAN event in 2024*

With global offshore wind projected to reach a landmark 19GW of additions this year, and the Australia/Oceania region needing to rapidly diversify its energy sources away from fossil fuels, offshore renewable energy projects present huge economic and environmental opportunities when developed responsibly. A recent Offshore Wind Report from the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), the Australian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy (ACOWE), and the Biodiversity Council (BC) highlighted how these benefits can be delivered with balanced decision-making.

““We have a fantastic opportunity to ensure that offshore wind installations are rolled out in a way that not only achieves positive climate outcomes, but also results in a win for nature and biodiversity. Climate and biodiversity are two sides of the same coin, and we can’t sacrifice one for the other,” said Nick Chiarelli, CEO and co-founder of OIO, adding, “I applaud the leadership position that Southerly Ten has taken by actively seeking to uncover and support complementary biodiversity solutions.””

By identifying innovative solutions like those from EnviroDNA, Hullbot, and Pentarch Offshore Solutions, the Offshore Wind Net Positive Challenge shows the potential for Australia’s emerging OSW sector to go beyond the historical industry practice of “no net loss.” Showcasing how groundbreaking technology can enable offshore infrastructure projects to have a positive impact, and actively enhance the health and biodiversity of the ocean.

““Australia’s offshore wind sector is at a defining moment—not just in terms of clean energy, but in how we embed ecological innovation from the start. Through this challenge, we’ve seen extraordinary ideas that prove industry growth and ocean regeneration can go hand in hand. EnviroDNA, Hullbot, and Pentarch Offshore Solutions exemplify how innovative companies can lead us toward a truly net-positive future,” said Elisa-Marie Dumas, OIO’s Head of Global Programs and Partners.”

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For press enquiries please contact:

**Tim Silverwood**
Head of Marketing and Community
info@ocean-impact.org

About Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO)

Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) helps startups make their greatest impact through funding and growth opportunities. Headquartered in Australia with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region, their commercialisation programs and support initiatives accelerate the best solutions to transform ocean health. At the forefront of the ocean health innovation ecosystem, OIO is passionately driving impact and investment into the rapidly emerging sustainable blue economy.

About Southerly Ten

Southerly Ten is a specialist offshore wind energy developer for Australia and New Zealand, from the team behind Star of the South and backed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. Southerly Ten brings unmatched commitment and capability to its mission – to advance a local offshore wind industry and leave a positive legacy of clean energy for future generations.