Offshore wind energy
Advanced track: Technological aspects
15 January 2025 – 23 April 2025
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:
The advanced track will take a deep dive in the technological aspects of offshore wind energy.
With the support of:
This course is targeted towards people working in (or with the ambition to be working in) or researching the offshore wind, power or maritime sector.
A bachelor level (or equivalent through minimal 2 year relevant working experience) is obligatory.
A certain technical background is assumed from the participants.
To receive a certificate, one should attend all the lessons and succeed for the final exam. The exam will take place on 25 June 2025 .
Scientific Coordination
- Prof. Lieven Vandevelde, Department of Electromechanical, Systems and Metal Engineering, Ghent University
Teachers
- Bram Cloet, Sirris & OWI-Lab
- Frederik De Belie, Ghent University
- Jan Declercq, Slimenergy
- Joris Degroote, Ghent University
- Tijl Deneut, e-BO Enterprises
- Rob De Roo, Vives – VLOC
- Christof Devriendt, VUB
- Ronny Dewaele, e-BO Enterprises
- Wim De Waele, Ghent University
- Dieter Fauconnier, Ghent University
- Eric Finé, Smulders
- Sonja Goris, ZF Wind Power
- Jan Helsen, VUB
- Karen Hemelsoet, Ghent University
- Dirk Hoet, Ghent University
- Pieter Jan Jordaens, Sirris & OWI-Lab
- Pieter Rauwoens, KU Leuven
- Frank Schouteeten, Parkwind
- Marc Steensels, Otary
- Maximilian Streicher, Ghent University
- Bruno Stuyts, Ghent University
- Wouter Tavernier, Parkwind
- Frederik Vandenbroucke, Parkwind
- Lieven Vandevelde, Ghent University
- Dirk Van Hertem, KU Leuven
- Kenneth Vannieuwenhuyse, DEME
- Wim Van Paepegem, Ghent University
- Jef Van Valckenborg, Parkwind
Programme
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.
- WTG Package: Aerodynamics introduction & FSI (blades)
- Blades: blade build-up, design, modelling
- Offshore grids and grid connections
- WTG Package: Generator systems in offshore wind
- WTG package: park owners' perspective
- Drivetrain developments: servitization, modularization, torque density (ZF)
- Reliability of Gearboxes in wind turbines
- Electrical Package: transmission & conversion: OHVS, HVDC vs AC, transmission
- Electrical Package: Network concepts: OHVS equipment & lay-out, grid connection, SMD infrastructure, grid code
- Important electrical components in offshore wind farms: transformers & switch gears
- Offshore wind integration in power and energy systems
Date: 15, 22 and 29 January, 5 and 12 February 2025
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
Date: 19 and 26 February and 19 March 2025
The last lesson day of this module will be organised at Ostend Science Park where a visit at the Coastal & Ocean Basin (COB) and The Reef will be organised.
- Wind Turbine drivetrain design from a loads perspective (condition monitoring)
- Introduction to O&M: Data Driven strategies & implementation for O&M
- Weather prediction for wind energy applications
- Boat landing
- Importance of testing & validation in different lifecycle phases of an offshore wind farm
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in offshore wind context: legal context & applications
- Visit Coastal & Ocean Basin (COB) en The Reef
- Introduction to monitoring: Offshore wind ICT integration
- Wind farm performance monitoring
Date: 26 March, 2 and 23 April 2025
Practical info
Fee
The participation fee includes the tuition fee, course notes, soft drinks, coffee and sandwiches.
Payment occurs after reception of the invoice.
All invoices are due in thirty days. All fees are exempt from VAT.
Module 1 |
€ 1.080 |
|
Module 2 |
€ 820 |
|
Module 3 |
€ 765 |
|
|
€ 2.400 |
|
Reduction
- Agoria members receive a 10% discount- When a participant of a company subscribes for the complete course, a reduction of 20% is given to all additional subscriptions from the same company. In that case, only one invoice is issued per company.
- Special prices for Ghent University staff. For further information, please send us an email.
Combining discounts is not possible
Cancellation policy
Cancellation must be done in writing. Our cancellation conditions can be consulted on www.ugain.ugent.be/cancellationTraining vouchers
Ghent University accepts payments by KMO-portefeuille (www.kmo-portefeuille.be; authorisation ID: DV.O103194).Opleidingsverlof (VOV)
applied for