ABOUT
The Offshore Hack4Wind Hackathon brings together Belgium's brightest academic minds to collaborate on innovative solutions for critical challenges in the offshore wind energy sector
It is organised by the ETF PhairywinD project and welcomes all Belgian academics conducting research across the broad spectrum of offshore wind energy topics
What?
A 2.5-day non-coding hackathon where multidisciplinary teams (3-5 people per team) explore out-of-the-box ideas to tackle real-world offshore wind challenges, driving progress in the Belgian offshore sector.
Why?
Belgium has been a pioneer in offshore wind, with world-class expertise spanning both academic and industrial sectors.
However, to maintain our global leadership, we must continue advancing at the forefront of technology.
Strategic research & innovation are essential to push beyond the state-of-the-art and shape the future of offshore wind energy.
How?
By adopting a holistic approach focused on high-level R&D and long-term sector milestones, our multidisciplinary teams will drive the future of offshore wind through innovative insights and solutions.
WHO CAN JOIN?
Hack4Wind welcomes Belgian academics conducting research across the broad spectrum of offshore wind energy topics.
Researchers from both technological and non-technological backgrounds are invited, and no coding experience is required.
We encourage participants at all career stages — from PhD researchers to professors.
Note: Participants must work at or be affiliated with a Belgian academic institution. Hack4Wind may request proof of affiliation.
WHY JOIN?
As a Hack4Wind participant, you will:
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Showcase your talent to leading Belgian offshore wind companies.
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Connect with Belgian academic peers working on similar research topics, opening doors to future collaborations.
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Broaden your perspective by working in multidisciplinary teams and exploring new areas of offshore wind innovation.
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Receive mentorship from leading academic and industry experts in your chosen challenge area.
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Contribute to critical solutions for the future of offshore wind.
Participation in the 2.5-day hackathon is free for all attendees (incl. lunches and drinks), thanks to support from FPS Economy.
The winning team will also receive exciting prizes, sponsored by our hackathon challenge partners!
HOW TO JOIN?
You can join the Hackathon in two ways:
1
AS A TEAM
You've already formed a team (3-5 p) within your own research group, your own organization or across universities?
Great! Then register via the button below and choose the 'I have a team' option. Then opt for 'create a team' and add the rest of the information, including inviting your other team members.
2
AS AN INDIVIDUAL
You would love to join the hackathon, but you don't have team members yet? No worries, you can register as an individual and find other solo participants to form a team online via our platform!
Just register via the button and browse through the participants list to find other potential team members.
Need some help registering?
Then check out our 'how to' video!
AGENDA
Please note that Hack4Wind is part of a 3-day event.
The first half day will feature the closing event for the ETF PhairywinD project.
To attend this specific part of the event, you will need to register separately
Here’s a high-level agenda*
✅Registration and team formation start - End of November 2024
🎙️Hackathon webinar - December 2024
⭕Registrations and team formation close - 24 January 2025 @ 00:00
🌬️Hack day 1 - 5 February 2025 (from noon)
🌬️Hack day 2 - 6 February 2025
🌬️Hack day 3 - 7 February 2025
🗣️ Teams pitches - 7 February 2025 @ 14:30
👩⚖️ Evaluation - 7 February 2025 @ 16:00
🎉Winners announcement - 7 February 2025 @ 16:30
*The detailed agenda will be shared only with the participants and can be subject to change.
In case of major changes, registered participants will be informed in due course.
5-7 February 2025
Brussels
CHALLENGES
The participants of Hack4Wind will form teams to develop innovative solutions aiming to address specific offshore wind challenges.
Teams must address one of the following envisioned challenges:
Challenge 1
Floating Wind Concept Overload
With over 150 floating platform concepts currently available, identifying the most viable solutions is essential. What criteria should be used for selecting floaters, balancing commercial and technical considerations, including subsidies and time to market? Design a framework for selecting floater solutions that accounts for all relevant parameters.
Challenge 3
Unmoored on the High Seas
What if we want to build wind farms far away from shore, in the high seas? There is lots of space and wind, but no way of placing cables back to shore or even put anchors on the bottom. How could such a farm produce energy? How can we store that energy and transport it back to shore?
Challenge 2
Building and Dismantling Wind Farms: Ports, Offshore Solutions or Both?
As Europe expands offshore wind capacity and decommissions older farms, innovative strategies are needed. How can we scale up offshore wind farm (de-)construction while addressing supply chain needs and logistics challenges? To do so, should we rely on existing port infrastructure, explore offshore solutions, or combine both?
Challenge 4
Power Puzzle: Storing, Converting or Redirecting?
Offshore wind energy often faces mismatches between where and when energy is produced versus where and when it’s needed. How can we create an integrated solution to address these discrepancies? Should we store energy (batteries, submerged options, land-based solutions), convert it (e.g., into molecules like hydrogen), or redirect it via grid interconnections? And should this be done in a centralized manner (e.g., energy islands) or through decentralized solutions (e.g., substations)? Develop a framework to optimize energy flow from offshore wind, balancing technical, economic, and environmental factors.
PRIZES
Let’s be honest—while the thrill of innovating, solving real-world problems, making connections and receiving mentorship is unbeatable, winning a cool prize doesn’t hurt either.
At Hack4Wind, we’re offering unique, industry-inspired experiences that’ll make you the envy of every wind enthusiast!
Speedboattrip to the Wind Farms
The winning team will receive a voucher for a speedboat trip to the Belgian wind farms via Captain Blue (vouchers - valid for 1 year)
Prize courtesy of Parkwind & PhairywinD
CHALLENGE 1
Adrenaline junkies, this one’s for you! The winning team will embark on a high-octane speedboat adventure to the Belgian wind farms, choosing a day that works best for you.
Feel the rush as you zoom across the North Sea at exhilarating speeds of up to 75 km/h, the spray on your face and the open water stretching out before you. As you approach the offshore turbines, the excitement turns to awe - standing in the shadow of these engineering giants is an experience like no other.
It’s the perfect mix of adrenaline and inspiration, giving you a whole new perspective on offshore wind innovation.
Watersports Adventure Day
The winners can look forward to a day of inland watersports & a nice dinner.
More information is coming soon
Prize courtesy of Multi.engineering
CHALLENGE 3
more information is coming soon!
Jan de Nul Ship Experience Day
The winning team will be offered a guided visit of Les Alizés, one of Jan de Nul's offshore wind installation vessels in The Netherlands
Prize courtesy of Jan de Nul
CHALLENGE 2
Ever wondered what it’s like to stand aboard a state-of-the-art offshore wind installation vessel? The winning team will enjoy an exclusive “Jan De Nul Ship Day” aboard Les Alizés at Eemshaven, Netherlands.
Get ready for a guided tour of this cutting-edge vessel, which will be prepped to work on Denmark’s Thor wind park. You’ll explore its impressive 5,000-ton crane (it’s a beast!) and learn how this floating powerhouse tackles deep-water installations while setting new standards for sustainability. Les Alizés isn’t ‘just a ship’, it’s specifically designed for heavy-lift projects and equipped with advanced emission-reduction tech.
But that’s not all: the experience day includes transportation for your entire team, plus lunch and dinner. To top it all off, the winning team will receive a Jan De Nul gift bag—a memorable keepsake to remember this incredible experience.
VR Experience at VR Base
DEME is offering the winning team an incredible VR adventure that combines cutting-edge technology, teamwork, and some seriously good pizza
Prize courtesy of DEME
CHALLENGE 4
Your experience at VR base Mechelen starts with an exclusive virtual tour of a jack-up vessel, where you’ll explore how these engineering marvels prepare to drill turbine foundations into the ocean floor. Next, your team will jump into two VR group games of your choice (shooter, capture the flag, etc.) —test your skills, solve challenges, and maybe even save the day in the virtual world.
After all the action, you’ll sit down with the DEME R&D team to share a pizza dinner and exchange ideas about innovation, engineering, and everything in between. It’s an experience that blends fun, learning, and connections in the best way possible.
So, strap on those VR glasses, immerse yourself in the future of offshore wind, and get ready for a memorable adventure!
PARTNERS
Hack4Wind is organised by the PhairywinD project, which is supported financially by the Energy Transition Fund of the Belgian federal FPS Economy.
The event is also supported by the OWI-Lab consortium.
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No hackathon without challenges! We are very grateful to the following companies for providing us with their challenges:
READY TO JOIN?
We are very much looking forward to meet you!
Before you can register, please read through our Terms and Conditions
Ready? Then go and register below!
CURIOUS BUT YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Then have a look at the recording of the Hack4Wind Live Warm-up Webinar we organized in December.
It gives you a lot more details about the challenges and might already answer all the questions you might still have!