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 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:
-
Showcase your talent to leading Belgian offshore wind companies.
-
Connect with Belgian academic peers working on similar research topics, opening doors to future collaborations.
-
Broaden your perspective by working in multidisciplinary teams and exploring new areas of offshore wind innovation.
-
Receive mentorship from leading academic and industry experts in your chosen challenge area.
-
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!
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 (coming soon).
Here’s a high-level agenda*
✅Registration and team formation start - End of November 2024
🎙️Hackathon webinars - 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.
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.
.png)
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 join us for a live webinar session on 17th December - 3 - 4 PM (CET)
or watch the recording of this session later