“German Chapter OffshoreWind4Kids”: German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation, Competence Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, DNV and Northland Power Europe agree on cooperation with OffshoreWind4Kids
Hamburg/Tervuren, March 23, 2022
On March 23, 2022, William Beuckelaers, managing director of OffshoreWind4Kids, DNV, Northland Power Europe (NPE), the Competence Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CC4E) at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) and the German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation signed an agreement in Hamburg on a cooperation with OffshoreWind4Kids within the framework of “German Chapter for OffshoreWind4Kids”.
The focus of the cooperation will be on activities to promote interest in technical issues of offshore wind energy among children and young people.
OffshoreWind4Kids teaches children and young people about engineering, technologies and renewable energies in a playful way using miniature offshore wind turbines. With the help of construction kit systems developed by William Beuckelaers of "OffshoreWind4Kids", children and young people – boys and girls alike – can be enthused about technical issues and any inhibition thresholds can be reduced. The “OffshoreWind4Kids” initiative was first brought to Germany by DNV and has subsequently found further supporters here.
Karina Würtz, German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation:
„We are pleased to join forces with the Competence Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, DNV, Northland Power Europe and OffshoreWind4Kids to make offshore wind energy tangible. In view of the increased expansion targets of the German Federal Government and the already emerging shortage of skilled workers in the upcoming years in the field of offshore wind energy, this initiative offers a great opportunity to introduce children and especially young people to the interesting occupational field of offshore wind energy during the career orientation phase and to get them excited about a career in the industry.”
Prof. Peter Dalhoff, Competence Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
„OffshoreWind4Kids is a great way for children and young people to not only get to know the energy transition in a playful and explorative way, but also to get them excited about its technical aspects. In many of our projects, we at CC4E have discovered that kids in particular are often very open and interested in technical innovations; we just have to give them the opportunity to get to know them and try them out. I am therefore all the more pleased that we have been able to start this project together with the German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation, DNV, Northland Power Europe and OffshoreWind4Kids.”
Marcus Klose, DNV:
„I was immediately excited when reading about William´s idea. We had great fun with the first family event at Hamburg´s Elbe beach last year. To reach the energy transition goals, the wind industry needs to install 30 GW offshore wind capacity before 2030 and even more beyond. This rapid expansion means that a huge number of people are needed. Our aim is to encourage young people to begin their careers in offshore wind, this kind of hands-on experience is ideal to start the journey. Therefore, we are supporting the “OffshoreWind4Kids” initiative from the early beginning.”
Florian Würtz, Northland Power Europe:
„Part of building a sustainable future relies on recruiting the next generation of experts who will help support the renewable energy transition. We are pleased to support OffshoreWind4Kids expansion into Germany that will help teach young people about offshore wind, engineering, technologies and renewable energies in meaningful and engaging way.”
William Beuckelaers, OffshoreWind4Kids:
„We are excited for this collaboration, which will help to expand the OffshoreWind4Kids activities in Germany. Despite the rain during our first demo day in Hamburg last year, all groups were eager to join us for the event. With our increased presence, many more children will have the chance to install their first offshore wind turbine and hopefully they will be inspired to contribute to the green transition.”
About the German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation
The German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation was founded in 2005 on the initiative of the industry and under the moderation of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). The foundation’s overall purpose is to consolidate the role of offshore wind energy in the energy mix of the future in Germany and Europe and to promote its expansion in the interests of environmental and climate protection. It has established itself as a non-partisan, supra-regional and independent communication platform for the entire offshore wind energy sector. The foundation's board of trustees includes key federal and state ministries for offshore wind as well as operators, manufacturers, transmission system operators, suppliers, banks and insurance companies.
About the Competence Center for Renewable Energies and EnergyEfficiency
The Competence Center for Renewable Energies and EnergyEfficiency (CC4E) is a cross-faculty scientific institution of HAW Hamburg that addresses the current and future challenges of the energy transition in an interdisciplinary manner. Thus, the CC4E makes a sustainable contribution to climate and environmental protection. CC4E intensifies the dialogue with society about the energy supply of tomorrow and aims to inspire enthusiasm for the energy transition through the content and results of its research projects. The core competencies are in the areas of wind energy, storage, system integration, sector coupling, environment and acceptance as well as in the innovation management relevant for this.
About DNV
DNV is an independent assurance and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry standards, and inspires and invents solutions. We provide assurance to the entire energy value chain through our advisory, monitoring, verification, and certification services. As the world's leading resource of independent energy experts and technical advisors, we help industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry. We are committed to realizing the goals of the Paris Agreement, and support our customers to transition faster to a deeply decarbonized energy system.
About Northland Power Europe
Northland Power is a global developer, owner and operator of renewable energy infrastructure. Northland operates three offshore windfarms in the North Sea and owns and develops further offshore windfarms in Europe and Asia.
About OffshoreWind4Kids
The main goal of OffshoreWind4Kids is to teach kids about engineering, technology and renewable energy. We use a hands on approach where children can play with small scale offshore wind turbines, illustrating various aspects of offshore wind energy. We want to support women in engineering by encouraging girls to use the wind turbine kits and we aim to teach as many girls as boys about offshore wind. Other goals are to stimulate innovation and to spread awareness of offshore wind to the general public.