electricity demand of coastal communities in this region. As of May 31, 2023, the U.S. offshore wind energy pipeline is estimated to have a capacity of 52,687 megawatts (MW).
Rhode Island has been a leader in the development of offshore wind energy in the United States. In 2016, the Block Island Wind Farm began operating as the first commercial offshore wind farm in the United States. Following the success of this project, several offshore wind farms have been planned by Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and other states in this region. Due to recent advances in wind energy technology and state-level supports/commitments, offshore wind projects have become highly cost competitive.
This certificate offers a comprehensive curriculum covering topics related to engineering aspects of offshore wind farms. Students will learn skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this growing field such as siting (macro- and micro-siting), permitting, resource assessment, wave/hydrodynamic loading, analysis and design of turbine substructure and foundation, and floating turbines. Students can also focus on a special topic based on their interests.
Some examples of special topics include dynamic analysis and design of floating/fixed wind turbines, siting and energy assessment, design of mooring systems for floating platforms, soil- structure interaction of turbine piles, energy storage systems, hydrodynamic/aerodynamic measurements of loads, active and passive control systems for blades or floating substructures, and risk and reliability assessments. This certificate comprises 12 credits, which include 1 required course and 3 elective courses. Individuals can select these courses based on their interests, career goals, and background.
An engineering certificate in offshore wind can significantly enhance career prospects in this rapidly growing field. By obtaining this certificate, in-depth knowledge of offshore wind energy systems, including design, installation, and maintenance, is gained. Moreover, this specialized certification demonstrates commitment to sustainability and the ability to contribute to the renewable energy sector. As the US and world transitions toward clean energy sources, offshore wind plays a crucial role, and expertise will be sought after in job roles such as design,
operation/maintenance, project management, site assessment, and environmental impact assessment. For offshore wind energy companies, consulting firms, or government agencies, these skills will be invaluable.
A competitive applicant will have the following:
●Degree Required: A bachelor degree in engineering or related discipline
●Courses Required: Course work to meet the pre-requisite courses in the certificate
●Documents for Application: CV, copy of bachelor certificate, transcripts, Language Proficiency Test Scores for international students
●Letters of Recommendation: Minimum 2 letters of recommendation
Note: We do not require either the subject or general GRE.
Please visit this site for information about language requirements for international students:
Deadlines:
● Fall – July 15
● Spring – November 15
● Summer – NA
1. Required Course (3 credits)
OCE/OCG 513: Ocean Renewable Energy
2. 3 courses (9 credits) from the following list depending on interest and
background:
• CVE 582: Marine Geotechnics
• CVE 561: Advanced Steel Design
• EGR 501: Numerical Methods for Engineers
• EGR 515: Hydrodynamics
• OCE 514: Engineering Wave Mechanics and Nearshore Processes
• OCE517: Fluid-Structure Interactions and Floating Body Dynamics
• OCE 522: Dynamics of Waves and Structures
• OCE 575: Marine Bioacoustics
• OCE/CVE 583: Deep Foundations
• OCG 540: Geological Oceanography
• OCE 591: Special Problems I (Fall)
• OCE 592: Special Problems (Spring)
• CVE 594 – Permitting of offshore wind farms (Special Topics in Civil and
Environmental Engineering)
FAQ
What are main focus areas of the certificate?
Ocean hydrodynamics, foundations, structures, and site characterization/permitting. Students can chose these areas based on the courses and special topics.
Is there a sample program cycle?
Here is a sample program cycle for a student with a background in civil
engineering and an interest in the foundations of offshore wind turbines
Semester 1 (Fall):
OCE/OCG 513: Ocean Renewable Energy: Introductory topics related to global ocean renewable energy, including fundamentals of hydrokinetic, tidal, and wave energy, leading energy devices, and more advanced topics including resource assessment and environmental interactions. Pre: MCE 354, Fluid Mechanics, or permission of instructor.
EGR 515: Hydrodynamics: Hydrodynamics of fixed and floating structures. Transport theory, viscous, inviscid, and ideal fluid flows based on continuum mechanics. Specific topics include lifting surfaces, added mass, and boundary layer theory, turbulence, linear wave theory, forces on a submerged body. (Lec. 3) Pre: MCE 354 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
Semester 2 (Spring):
OCE/CVE 583: Deep Foundations: Applications of soil mechanics principles to analysis and design of piles and drilled shafts under vertical and lateral loading. Static and dynamic load testing. Introduction to ground improvement technologies. Pre: CVE 381 or equivalent.
OCE 592: Special Problems: Advanced work under the supervision of a faculty member arranged to suit the individual requirements of the student. (Independent Study) Pre: permission of chairperson. (e.g., analysis and design of a floating substructure for a wind turbine using opensource numerical models and field data)
For More Information:
Contact Professor Reza Hashemi