Post-Academic Course Offshore Wind Energy

Catch the wave of offshore wind & acquire a broad knowledge from a technological and multidisciplinary perspective.

Offshore wind energy has developed rapidly in Belgium & Europe. The industrial scaling is a fact and the production cost is evolving to a cost-competitive source in our energy mix. Belgium is currently the 4th country worldwide in terms of installed capacity, and the best is yet to come.

This course was conceived to offer thorough expertise and operational knowledge of all phases of offshore wind energy. Course attendees will acquire a broad and up-to-date knowledge regarding technology, financing, safety, security, ecology & boundary conditions of offshore wind farms over the entire lifespan.

The course is divided into 6 modules: after a qualitative description in the first module, module 2 provides a technological basis for the wind power production and conversions “from wind to wire”. Modules 3 focuses on structural aspects, in particular offshore foundations . The fourth module covers various aspects with respect to electrical components (such as transformers), testing and validation, weather prediction and resource assessment, etc. Module 5 deals with non-technological topics such as financing, environmental impact and mitigation and legal framework. The last module combines a prospection beyond the horizon into current and future R&D and innovation in offshore wind) and industry cases.

After completion, course participants will have a broad offshore knowledge, both from an international perspective as from the viewpoint of the strengths of the Belgian offshore wind industry and academia.