Fraunhofer-Institut für Windenergiesysteme (IWES) Campuses

The Bremerhaven Campus of Fraunhofer IWES focuses on offshore wind energy, delivering specialized training programs that function as advanced courses in marine renewable energy systems. This location leverages its coastal proximity for practical offshore simulations and testing.

• Offshore Wind Farm Planning and Design: Courses detail substructure design for monopiles, jackets, and floating platforms, including hydrodynamic modeling with tools like OrcaFlex and SACS. Emphasis on site investigations using geotechnical surveys and environmental impact assessments.
• Installation and Operations & Maintenance (O&M): Training covers logistics for turbine installation via jack-up vessels, cable laying, and decommissioning strategies. O&M modules include remote monitoring, drone inspections, and reliability analysis to minimize downtime and costs.
• Electrical Systems for Offshore: Programs explore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, array cables, and substation design. Students learn about corrosion protection, underwater connectors, and integration with the North Sea grid infrastructure.
• Wave and Current Loading: Courses teach advanced simulations of metocean conditions, fatigue analysis, and scour protection measures using software like HAWC2 and USFOS.
• Hybrid Offshore Platforms: Emerging topics include combining wind with wave energy converters or hydrogen production, addressing multi-use of marine spaces under EU Blue Growth initiatives.

The campus hosts the Center for Wind Energy Support Structures, featuring test facilities for scale models and numerical labs. Collaborations with partners like Ørsted and RWE provide real-world case studies from projects like Borkum Riffgrund. Training includes safety protocols for offshore work, certified by GWO standards. The curriculum supports the German Offshore Wind Energy Act, aiming for 30 GW capacity by 2030. Participants develop skills in project management, risk assessment, and sustainability, contributing to theses on topics like supply chain optimization. With a focus on innovation, courses incorporate AI for predictive analytics and blockchain for energy trading. This prepares graduates for the booming offshore sector, driving Europe's energy independence and climate goals. The Bremerhaven site also offers short courses for industry professionals, ensuring continuous education in evolving technologies like larger rotors and deeper-water installations.

The Kassel Campus of Fraunhofer IWES specializes in advanced research and development in wind energy systems, offering specialized programs and training that mimic academic courses in renewable energy engineering. Participants engage in hands-on projects focusing on wind turbine design, aerodynamics, and structural analysis.

• Aerodynamics and Rotor Blade Development: Courses cover computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, wind tunnel testing, and optimization of rotor blades for higher efficiency and reduced noise. Students learn to model airflow around turbines using software like ANSYS and OpenFOAM.
• Wind Turbine Control and Grid Integration: Training includes control systems for pitch, yaw, and power output, ensuring stable integration into electrical grids. Topics encompass SCADA systems, fault detection, and compliance with grid codes like those from VDE-AR-N 4120.
• Load Simulation and Digital Twins: Programs teach the use of tools like FAST and Bladed for simulating turbine loads under various wind conditions. Emphasis is on creating digital twins for predictive maintenance and lifetime extension.
• Materials and Manufacturing: Courses explore composite materials for blades, including carbon fiber reinforcements, recycling techniques, and additive manufacturing for lightweight components.
• Site Assessment and Resource Modeling: Training in wind resource assessment using LiDAR and SODAR, meteorological modeling with WAsP, and site suitability analysis for onshore wind farms.

These programs, often in collaboration with universities, provide certifications and contribute to master's theses. The campus features state-of-the-art labs, including a large wind tunnel and test benches for full-scale components. Research extends to hybrid systems combining wind with solar and storage, addressing the energy transition challenges in Germany and Europe. Participants gain practical skills through industry partnerships with Siemens Gamesa and Vestas, preparing for careers in sustainable energy. The curriculum evolves with innovations like floating wind foundations and AI-driven forecasting, ensuring relevance in the global push for net-zero emissions. Overall, the Kassel Campus fosters interdisciplinary expertise, blending engineering, physics, and data science to advance wind technology.