For more than two decades, Dr David Osmond has helped translate cutting-edge wind science into practical renewable energy projects.
A founding member of the Windlab team, Dave joined the company in 2003 as it emerged from CSIRO to commercialise advanced atmospheric modelling technology. Since then, he has played a key role in developing the technical capability that underpins Windlab’s approach to wind resource assessment, energy modelling, and project optimisation.
His experience reflects one of Windlab’s greatest strengths: combining scientific rigour with practical engineering to support informed investment decisions and deliver high-performing renewable energy projects.
“I was excited to find a group using fluid dynamics for a real-world application that could make a genuine contribution to emission reductions,” Dave says.
When Windlab was established, many of the tools and methodologies needed to accurately assess wind resources simply didn’t exist.
Rather than relying on off-the-shelf software, the team developed many of its own analytical tools and engineering processes to process wind data, model energy production, and assess wind performance.
“We had to build many of our own tools to process and analyse data and make energy predictions,” Dave says.
As one of Windlab’s early wind engineers, Dave helped establish the technical methods that continue to underpin project development today. His work involved translating complex atmospheric data into reliable long-term energy forecasts, providing the technical confidence needed to support project design, financing and investment decisions.
Those capabilities have evolved over more than two decades and remain central to Windlab’s ability to identify, develop, and optimise renewable energy projects.
Wind resource assessment sits at the heart of every successful wind energy project.
Dave’s role combines science, engineering, and commercial understanding to help ensure projects are both technically robust and financially viable.
His work includes:
This work provides developers, investors, and project partners with greater confidence in the long-term performance of renewable energy projects.
Over his career, Dave has contributed to a number of high-impact renewable energy projects across Australia and internationally, supporting Windlab’s growth from a research spin-out into a leading renewable energy developer.
One project that continues to stand out is Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm in Victoria. Developed during a challenging period for the industry, the project required robust technical analysis and confidence in long-term energy performance.
Today, Coonooer Bridge is one of Australia’s highest-performing wind farms and is recognised for its community co-ownership model.
“It’s a good news story that keeps on giving,” Dave says.
The project demonstrates how rigorous wind resource assessment and engineering analysis can contribute to both technical performance and long-term community benefit.
Dave’s contribution extends beyond project development.
Throughout his career, he has helped strengthen capability across the broader renewable energy industry through mentoring, knowledge sharing, and education.
He played an important role in establishing and teaching the Wind Energy Course at the Australian National University, helping equip the next generation of engineers with the technical knowledge needed to support Australia’s energy transition.
“One of the favourite aspects of my role is helping others,” Dave says.
His commitment to mentoring mirrors Windlab’s broader approach to building capability — not only within the organisation, but across the renewable energy sector.
Capability built on science
Windlab was founded on the belief that better science leads to better renewable energy projects.
More than 20 years later, that philosophy continues to shape how the company approaches every stage of project development — from identifying prospective sites and assessing wind resources through to optimising project performance and supporting investment decisions.
Dave has been part of that journey from the start.
Having helped build the technical foundations of Windlab from the beginning, he continues to apply decades of engineering expertise to deliver practical solutions that create value.
His experience is just one example of the depth of technical capability that sits behind every Windlab project.
