Offshore wind energy
Beschrijving
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.
Enroll here: www.ugain.ugent.be/offshorewindenergy2023.htm
Programma
1. Basic concepts
This module provides the terminology, phases and processes of offshore wind energy, and allows the students to get acquainted with the correct terminology. After the qualitative description of the components, the project life cycle (from tendering to decommissioning) is outlined. The procedures and terminology in offshore wind installation are described. Lastly, the in-service terminology (during the Operations & Maintenance) is provided.
Concepts introduced in module 1 will be used in the other modules.
Date: 28 February, 7 & 14 March 2023
2. From wind to wire: electricity
This module describes the wind power production and conversions up to the grid connection and integration, i.e. “from wind to wire”. Herein the components (turbine blades, generators, offshore grid, etc.) are discussed in detail.
Date: 21 & 28 March, 18 & 25 April 2023
3. Structural aspects - Offshore foundations
This module focuses on structural aspects and offshore foundations in particular, e.g. wave-structure interactions, geotechnical and material aspects, floating structures, etc.
Date: 2, 9 & 16 May 2023
4. Electrical components, monitoring, performance, testing, wind & wakes
In this module, some electrical components such as transformers are discussed in more detail. Other topics include wind farm monitoring, testing and validation of components, weather prediction and resource assessment.
Date: 23 & 30 May 2023
5. Legal, environmental, financial & safety aspects
The project development requires a wide range of activities preceding the installation, such as project financing, tendering and consenting, environmental impact assessment and mitigation strategies, etc.
Furthermore offshore wind energy is developed in a context of international and federal marine spatial planning, energy law (like the grid code) and the wholesale market mechanisms.
Date: 6 & 13 June 2023
6. Innovation and future trends
This module looks beyond the horizon of offshore wind, including (future) policy, technological solutions on the component level, industrial scaling, R&D and innovation at different companies and future grid coupling.
Date: 20 & 27 June 2023
