Vacancy - Circular Transition of Offshore Wind Energy

Offshore wind turbines have been installed in Belgium since 2008. From 2028, these wind turbines are approaching their end of life. The design of offshore wind farms did not take into account their end-of-life impact or the reuse of their materials and components. The industry is therefore not yet ready to dismantle old turbines.

The project Circular Transition of Offshore Wind Energy (CTO), initiated by spearhead cluster Blue  Cluster and supported financially by VLAIO (Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship), examines ways to prepare the industry for the upcoming end-of-life phase of offshore wind farms. 

This will be done by assessing the impact over the entire life cycle based on all three sustainability pillars (economic, ecological, and social) and by clarifying technical and technological challenges in this end-of-life phase. For this purpose, the methodology of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) will be applied, with an emphasis on developing and applying a framework for social impact categories (social-LCA). 

The goal of the research is to increase expertise in the field of circularity and sustainability assessments. The analysis includes both quantitative and qualitative aspects of dismantling and processing wind turbines and the combination of commercial and emerging technologies.

Important research questions in your research (not exhaustive) are:

• what is the impact on ecological, social, and economic sustainability of offshore wind turbines, taking into account their entire life cycle;
• which materials should be used in new wind turbines to improve sustainability over the entire life cycle.

In this project, you will work with a team from Parkwind, Galloo, Ghent University, Antwerp University, and Witteveen+Bos. In addition to the (social) LCA, this consortium focuses on the following research questions:

• which processes should be selected or developed to perform the dismantling and processing (end-of-life) phase of offshore wind turbines in the most sustainable way;
• what are the technical and practical (local market) limitations that prevent a sustainable execution of the end-of-life phase.

Requirements

• a relevant and up-to-date university-level education, for example in Industrial Ecology;
• experience with Life Cycle Assessments (LCA);
• affinity with offshore wind projects;
• a broad interest in sustainability;
• excellent command of Dutch or English;
• excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.

Pluses

• experience with S-LCA;
• experience with SimaPro.

You get the opportunity to work on a new research project within a leading consulting and engineering firm. You will have a dedicated supervisor who will support you throughout your research and answer any questions you may have. 

The supervisor will also proactively seek out colleagues who can contribute to your research. Within Witteveen+Bos, you will have a workplace at our office in Utrecht. The start date and duration of the internship are to be determined in consultation. 

About Witteveen+Bos

Witteveen+Bos is a consulting and engineering firm that provides solutions for complex technical and societal issues in the fields of water, infrastructure, environment, and construction worldwide. Our more than 1,400 employees work in multidisciplinary project teams on fascinating projects both domestically and internationally. 

Our work always requires new knowledge and responsibilities, which is why personal and professional development is essential and encouraged. Our employees are our most important asset.

If you are interested in this assignment, please respond directly online at the Witteveen+Bos website. For more information, please contact Mr. B.M (Bas) Roelofs at +31 6 34 20 69 83.