offshore wind energy module 2: Structural aspects

Offshore wind energy - advanced track

Offshore wind has a vital role to play in the global transition to green energy. As a rapidly growing energy technology, offshore wind has huge potential around the world. In the Belgian North Sea, offshore wind farms generate about 10% of Belgium’s total electricity demand. By 2030, offshore wind capacity in the North Sea will continue to grow, generating about 30% of electricity demand of Belgium.

For this booming industrial sector, Ghent University provides three tracks of lifelong learning courses for those who want to expand their knowledge of all phases of offshore wind energy, with a mix of academic and industrial speakers:

• Foundational track
• Advanced track: Technological aspects
• Regulatory and economic track

The advanced track will take a deep dive in the technological aspects of offshore wind energy.

This module focuses on structural aspects and offshore foundations in particular, e.g. wave-structure interactions, geotechnical and material aspects, floating structures, etc.

The last lesson of this module will take place at Smulders (Arendonk) where also a visit will be organised.

• BOP Package: Introduction into offshore foundations and their design considerations
• BOP Package: Foundations detailed design approach
• Hydrodynamics: wave theory and wave structure interaction
• Offshore geotechnics: soil-structure interaction & offshore site characterisation
• Floating vessel installation
• Possibilities and challenges of floating offshore wind installations
• Metals: damage & lifetime

Teachers: Christof Devriendt, Wim De Waele, Eric Finé, Karen Hemelsoet, Bruno Stuyts, Maximilian Streicher, Kenneth Vannieuwenhuyse
Date: 19 and 26 February and 19 March 2025

Advanced track: Technological aspects