Introduction to Offshore Wind Energy
Learn how we extract energy from wind as you discover the opportunities and impacts of the offshore wind energy industry.
Duration
6 weeksWeekly study
5 hours100% online
How it works
Introduction to Offshore Wind Energy
Gain a solid introduction to offshore wind energy with the University of Bergen
Global investments in offshore wind energy are expected to increase significantly. Therefore, there is a growing need for specific knowledge on the opportunities and challenges in offshore wind.
This six-week course will provide you with a strong foundation of key issues related to the utilisation of offshore wind.
Learning from the experts at The University of Bergen, Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE) and Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), you’ll finish the course with an understanding of the different perspectives, ambitions, and obstacles within the sector.
Understand how wind turbines operate
You’ll start with an overview of the key components of an offshore wind turbine. Next, you’ll be introduced to the basic aerodynamics of wind turbines, delving into the different components of a wind turbine and the principles used in a rotor blade.
Through this exploration, you’ll understand how we extract energy from wind and how this converts to power.
Explore the societal issues of offshore wind
Next, you’ll look at the industry from a European perspective, focusing on Norway as a world-leader in offshore operations. You’ll dive into the legal framework of offshore wind, including Europe’s ambitions and targets.
Through this exploration, you’ll start to understand the societal issues surrounding offshore wind and how the sector can co-exist with other industries such as aquaculture, marine transport, and tourism.
Understand how offshore wind impacts the marine environment
Finally, you’ll discuss the impacts of offshore wind on the marine environment. You’ll discover how turbines can impact marine life such as marine mammals, fish, and birds.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid understanding of the opportunities and challenges of offshore wind energy.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction, perspectives and concepts of offshore wind energy
Introduction
Before we start the course, we would like to introduce how the course works and who is contributing. We also encourage you to introduce yourselves. This will make the discussions during the course more fruitful.
Perspectives and central concepts
Offshore wind energy has an important role in making the power system free of fossil fuels. We will look into the international ambitions ahead. We will also address some of the key components of offshore wind turbines as well as
Week 2
How to extract energy from the wind and what is wind?
How to extract energy from the wind?
Wind turbines are converting energy in the air to mechanical energy. In the following lectures we will address how the much energy can be extracted from the wind and how this can be performed by a horizontal axis wind (HAWT).
The wind environment
What is wind, what kind of properties does it have, how can we model and measure it? And how does a wind turbine modify the wind? Such questions are addressed in the following lectures.
Week 3
Wind, wakes and marine ground conditions.
Wind measurements and resource assesment
We continue the lectures on wind, focusing on how wind is modelled and the interaction between the wind and the wind turbines, forming the wakes.
The marine ground conditions (and how they are assessed.).
All offshore wind turbines must be secured to the sea floor, either by a fixed foundation or by anchors and mooring lines. Detailed knowledge about the marine ground conditions is needed to design these constructions.
Week 4
Legal framework and coexistence
Legal framework
No wind farm can be realized without a proper legal framework for development and power delivery agreements. These issues are addressed in the following.
Societal issues and coexistence
Societal, environmental issues, and coexistence with other users of the sea must be properly accounted for in the development phase of an offshore wind farm.
Week 5
Impacts on the marine environment
Impacts on the marine environment
Societal aspect and co-existence were addressed last week. This week we start up with a continuation of this topic. Next, the impact of offshore wind farms on the marine environment will be addressed.
Week 6
Electrical systems
Electrical systems
As you know by now: kinetic energy in the wind may be converted to mechanical energy by the rotor, that drives an electrical generator. The electrical energy must be converted and exported, for example the power system on land.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe main components of offshore wind turbines
- Improve the understanding of the offshore wind field
- Improve the understanding of how energy is extracted from the wind and converted to electricity
- Describe characteristic ground conditions important to the foundation of offshore wind turbines
- Reflect on important legal and coexistence issues.
- Describe impacts of offshore wind turbines may have on the marine environment
Who is the course for?
The course is designed for people planning to work in or close to the offshore wind industry. However, as no prior experience is needed it is also for anyone interested in offshore wind.
Who will you learn with?
Professor emeritus in offshore wind energy at Geophysical Institute (GFI), University of Bergen and Bergen Offshore Wind Centre (BOW). About 40 years experience in industrial research.
I am professor in Experimental Meteorology at the Geophysical Institute of the University of Bergen and also affiliated with the Bergen Offshore Wind Centre (BOW).
Associate professor, Bergen Offshore Wind (BOW), Geophysical Institute (GFI), University of Bergen (UiB). Expertise: Atmospheric measurement techniques, boundary layer meteorology, structural dynamics
Who developed the course?
University of Bergen
The University of Bergen (UiB) offers first-class education and cutting-edge research at our location in the city centre of Bergen, Norway.
NORCE
NORCE is an independent research institute that conducts research for both public and private sectors, to facilitate informed and sustainable choices for the future.
HVL
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) is one of the largest educational institutions in the country, with about 16,500 students.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $134/one-off payment | $349.99 for one year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 9 Jun 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$349.99 for one year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$134/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 9 Jun 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Science, Engineering & Maths and Politics & Society
