Beyond Offshore Wind: Ocean Multi-Use Course
“A course that aims to address the lack of easy-to-read sources on the topic of offshore renewables related ocean multi-use” – FLORES project.
First MOOC on the topic of ocean multi-use!
In the vast ocean, where innovation meets sustainability, lies a realm of untapped potential in offshore renewables related ocean multi-use. Throughout this MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), we’ll dive into real-world examples of multi-use sites in action, alongside discussions on other space-efficient offshore energy solutions. Developed as part of the FLORES project and drawing from the expertise of projects like MUSES, UNITED, ULTFRAMS, MULTI-FRAME, etc. this MOOC offers an introductory study to the topic of ocean multi-use, with a specific focus on multi-use combinations that include offshore wind farms.
Course outcomes and curriculum
Upon completing this course, you will gain a thorough understanding of the principles, benefits, and real-life applications of ocean multi-use, with a particular focus on integrating offshore wind farms with other marine activities in a synergetic way. You will develop the skills necessary for interdisciplinary collaboration, sustainable project management, and stakeholder engagement, utilizing insights and methodologies from leading multi-use projects such as MUSES, UNITED, ULTFARMS, and MULTI-FRAME. Furthermore, you will be better equipped to address practical challenges in the field, enabling you to make valuable contributions to the advancement and sustainability of ocean multi-use projects and space-efficient offshore energy solutions.
1. Course Introduction
2. Multi Use Combination Example: Offshore Wind + Oyster Aquaculture +Nature Restoration in Belgium
3. Multi-Use Combination Example: Offshore Wind + Floating Solar + Seaweed Farming in the Netherlands
4. Multi-Use Combination Example: Offshore wind + Tourism at offshore park in Denmark
5. Space Efficient Offshore Energy Solutions - Energy Islands, Multi-Use, And Others
6. Challenges and Constraints regarding Ocean Multi-Use
BONUS Chapter: How does it feel to be an engineer working on multi-use projects? Women's roles in this industry, and more! | Interviews with industry professionals
Who is this course for?
This course is designed to appear to a broad audience interested in offshore renewables related multi-use, with a focus on accessibility and simplicity. While it is open to individuals with varying levels of expertise, it particularly caters to the following groups:
- High School Students Of Senior Years: Specifically, those in their final two years (aged 16-18) with a specialisation in technology. The course is structured to be accessible to this demographic, providing foundational knowledge without requiring extensive prior experience in the field.
- University Students: Primarily targeting first-year students enrolled in programs with a focus on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and Offshore Renewable Energy Engineering. The course serves as a valuable introduction to multi-use concepts within the context of offshore renewables, complementing their academic curriculum. | ESCO Code: 2141.1 – Environmental engineer & ESCO Code: 2149.9.5 Offshore Renewable Energy Engineer & ESCO Code: 2149.1 – Urban and regional planner
- Junior Engineers: Individuals who are beginning their careers in engineering, especially those interested in or transitioning to roles related to offshore renewables. The course offers a comprehensive overview of multi-use principles and practices, laying the groundwork for further specialization in the field. | ESCO Code: 2141.1.2 – Energy engineer
- Workers Upskilling/Reskilling: Professionals from diverse sectors seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in the rapidly evolving field of offshore renewables. Whether transitioning from related industries or aiming to broaden their expertise, the course provides a solid foundation in multi-use concepts. | ESCO Code: 3113.1 – Electrical engineering technician & ESCO Code: 7543.1 – Renewable energy technician
Minimum Knowledge/Skills Required
While no specific prerequisites are necessary, a basic understanding of technology and an interest in (offshore) renewable energy are advantageous. The course is designed to accommodate learners with varied backgrounds, providing clear explanations and accessible resources to facilitate comprehension.
Course length
The duration of this course is 15 hours.The course is designed for self-paced study, allowing students to progress through the material at their own convenience. Each module will be accessible from the beginning of the course, enabling learners to manage their time effectively based on personal schedules.
Certificate of completion
Upon finishing 100% of lectures, you’ll be granted a certificate of completion! This course, the first course on the topic of ocean multi-use is developed by SUBMARINER Network and supported by University of A Coruña. This course is part of the actions of the FLORES project.
About the FLORES project
Forward Looking at the Offshore Renewables
FLORES is a Large-Scale Partnership to foster the Pact for Skills promoted by the European Union within the offshore renewable energies sector.
Forward Looking at the Offshore Renewables will promote the core activity of the Large-scale partnership launching the Pact for Skills in the Offshore Renewable Energies (ORE) sector.
FLORES will support the most committed stakeholders in the ORE, underpinning the success of the offshore renewable energy strategy with the stimulation of dedicated training offers. The partnership will promote the skilling process for the new jobs expected in the sector, estimated to account for between 20,000 and 54,000 new workers in the following five years and contribute to improve upskilling opportunities in the field of the actual ORE workforce.
Skills intelligence activities will identify and prioritise the most relevant actions in the capacity-building process, covering not only the rapid and complex changes occurring in this industrial ecosystem but also capable of forecasting those changes yet to occur, especially regarding new and emerging technologies. Building on industry insights, the occupational profiles of the offshore renewable energy value chain will be reviewed, contributing to the continuous updating of the ESCO database.
The necessary re-skilling and upskilling processes will be stimulated by the FLORES innovative approaches to lifelong learning with the development of specific tools to support existing ORE training offers and facilitate access to existing training materials.
A set of multilingual educational materials will be developed to promote Ocean Literacy and awarenessraising in career and job opportunities in the European ORE sector, making those more attractive, especially for young people and women.
In addition, the bottom-up approach selected by FLORES will feature regional pilot actions adapted to the differing needs of Europe’s sea basins in the Atlantic, the Baltic and the Mediterranean. These pilot actions will form the seed source for future mirror working groups in the large-scale partnership launching the Pact for Skills in the ORE.
Project duration
24 months | January 2023 – December 2024
Project call
Erasmums +
Total project budget
€ 700,000
Project partners
FLORES is a consortium of 15 project partners from 8 countries
- Centro Tecnológico del Mar - Fundación CETMAR | ES
- Asociación de Industrias del Metal y Tecnologías Asociadas de Galicia (ASIME) | ES
- Universidade da Coruña (UDC) | ES
- The Centre for Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH) | GR
- WindEurope | BE
- Ghent University (UGent) | BE
- Aqualex Multimedia Consortium Ltd /AMC | IE
- Deftiq | NL
- Bluespring | NL
- Submariner Network for Blue Growth | DE
- Lycée Fulgence Bienvenüe | FR
- Maritime Technology Cluster FVG (MareFVG) | IT
- European Marine Board (EMB) | BE
- IndustriAll Europe | BE
- Conférence des Régions Périphériques Maritimes D’Europe (CRPM) | FR
Want to know more?
Reach out to our project manager:
Marko Kovacevic, Project And Communications Manager