Offshore wind energy: Foundational track
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 first track starts in November 2026 and registrations are now open!
This foundational track provides participants with a broad introduction to the offshore wind energy sector. It covers the main concepts, terminology and processes throughout the offshore wind project life cycle, from tendering and financing to installation, grid integration, operations and maintenance, and decommissioning. Participants are also introduced to the main components of offshore wind farms, the organizational context of offshore wind projects, and the latest innovation drivers, technology developments and market trends.
Setting the Scene: The Offshore Wind Energy Sector
From Tender to Design: Basics of Offshore Wind Engineering
The ABC of Offshore Wind Financing
Offshore Wind Farm Building Blocks: Turbines, Generators, Foundations, Cables and Offshore Substations
Offshore Wind Installation Processes and Terminology
Powering the Grid: Introduction to Electrical Power Systems and Transmission
Integrating Offshore Wind into the Power System - the TSO perspective
Behind the Project: Corporate and Contractual Structures in Offshore Wind
Offshore Wind Operations and Maintenance: Lessons from the past, outlook for the future
End-of-Life for Offshore Wind Farms: Decommissioning and Beyond
Innovation drivers, technology and market trends overview
What’s Next for Offshore Wind?
The next tracks are:
Technological track (spring 2027)
Cruss-cutting track (May-June 2027)
The course is organized by UGain - Ghent University, with support/lectures from several OWI-Lab members.
For whom? This course will present a general introduction and overview of the Offshore Wind Energy sector and is thus targeted towards a broad audience: people already working in this sector, people aiming to work in the sector and researchers.
A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent, through minimal 2 year relevant working experience) is obligatory.
