Associate Professor and a researcher from DTU Wind Energy visited five universities in Taiwan in October to discuss the future of offshore wind energy research and education in Taiwan.
During the five-day long trip, Associate Professor Niels-Erik Clausen and researcher Rogier Floors, both from DTU Wind Energy, gave their Offshore Wind Energy Master Class at five different universities in Taiwan in collaboration with three representatives from Ørsted, Taiwan office.
Offshore wind energy is the future
The aim of the trip was to discuss offshore wind energy and potential university-industry collaborations additional to the many, Ørsted is already pursuing in Taiwan. With high political ambitions offshore wind energy is the future for Taiwan, but their experience with that type of technology is limited, explains Niels-Erik Clausen:
”Offshore wind energy is the future for Taiwan, but it is quite new to them. I’m happy that they want us to help them and look forward to the collaboration.”
Doris Schiedek, Senior Consent Project Manager confirms: “Ørsted has already entered into several agreements with universities in Taiwan and established firm connections with the academic sector, whom we see as one of our key partners. Therefore, we are especially delighted, that the DTU has followed our call and visited Taiwan. The discussions which were held at the universities clearly demonstrated the international opportunities for professional and academic exchange, which exist and will further be fostered in the future.”
Fang-Zsu Lan, an environmental engineering master's degree student at Da-Yeh University signed up for the master class lecture believes offshore wind power will bring new employment opportunities. She said: I am impressed that wind and sea base conditions in Changhua has the potential for offshore wind power industry development, but there are many difference of climatic conditions, marine ecology, typhoon, earthquake and other factors between Taiwan and Europe, so we need more conversation such as this lecture to promote the industry localization."
Between 50 and 200 people attended the lectures and meetings each day for discussion of opportunities for collaboration within education and research. It was a mixture of students and faculty, says Niels-Erik Clausen.
“It was a great opportunity and privilege for us to visit the five universities in Taiwan in one week and feel the great interest from both the students as well as the staff of the universities. The fruitful discussions and many questions showed that there are several potential areas of collaboration between the universities in Taiwan and Denmark.”