Dr. Jonathan Whale

I came to Murdoch University as a researcher in the field of wind energy with 9 years experience working with research groups in the United Kingdom and the United States. This work often involved collaboration with other research groups and industry throughout the world through mechanisms such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) Wind RD&D Program. I co-wrote successful grant applications for funding from the UK’s Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

I have been employed in different roles at Murdoch University since February 2001. Initially I was employed by the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE) on projects related to the commercialisation of a range of wind turbines. At around the same time, I was consulted by the School of Engineering to work together with others from the wind energy industry and develop a unit on wind energy for the Renewable Energy Engineering Program. From 2002 to 2007 I worked as a part-time lecturer in the Energy Studies Program and a part-time research officer with the Research Institute of Sustainable Energy (RISE), on industry projects related to wind turbines. In 2007, I became 100% employed by the School of Engineering and Energy in the area of Energy Studies and Renewable Energy Engineering. In 2008 I established a National Small Wind Turbine Centre (NSWTC) at Murdoch University, sparked by my ideas on small wind turbine research. The NSWTC is a $1.05 million federally-funded Centre that aims to improve the quality and reliability of small wind turbines. I am currently the Academic Chair of the Energy Studies Program.