Master's in Floating Offshore Wind
Learn to design, install and operate floating offshore wind farms, from platforms and mooring to dynamic cables and project management. A private online professional programme with a Navalis Institute certificate.
Prior knowledge check
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You are starting from scratch in this subject. The programme is designed precisely for that.
What is the Master's in Floating Offshore Wind?
This programme prepares you to work in the industry that will take wind energy into deep waters, where fixed foundations cannot reach today. You will study the design of floating platforms, mooring systems, dynamic cables, construction and towing, installation, operation and maintenance, and project and consenting management. It is a programme that brings naval and offshore engineering together with renewable energy.
What sets it apart is its focus on applied naval engineering and on the whole project cycle, from site selection to decommissioning, with in-depth study of mooring and dynamic cables, one of the sector's greatest technical challenges, and a final project in which you produce the conceptual design of a floating wind farm.
Programme highlights
- Applied naval engineering: Stability, hydrodynamics and motions of floating platforms.
- The whole project cycle: From site selection to decommissioning.
- Mooring and dynamic cables: One of the sector's biggest technical challenges, studied in depth.
- Ports and logistics: Shipyard integration, towing and operations bases.
- Applied project: Conceptual design of a floating wind farm.
- Grow in an expanding market: Prepare for an industry with a large project pipeline around the world.
Syllabus of the Master's in Floating Offshore Wind
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Offshore Wind and the Move into Deep Water
- 1.1. Evolution of offshore wind
- 1.2. Fixed versus floating foundations: depth limits
- 1.3. Wind resource in deep waters
- 1.4. Floating projects in operation
- 1.5. Global project pipeline
- 1.6. Energy policy and auctions
- 1.7. Floating wind value chain
- 1.8. Technical and cost-reduction challenges
- 1.9. Role of ports and shipyards
- 1.10. Market outlook
Environmental Conditions and Site Selection
- 2.1. Wind, waves and currents: metocean characterisation
- 2.2. Bathymetry and seabed geotechnics
- 2.3. Measurement campaigns with LiDAR buoys
- 2.4. Extreme and fatigue conditions
- 2.5. Distance to shore and to port
- 2.6. Environmental constraints and protected areas
- 2.7. Coexistence with fishing, shipping and defence
- 2.8. Marine spatial planning
- 2.9. GIS tools for site selection
- 2.10. Preliminary energy yield assessment
Floating Platform Types and Design
- 3.1. Semi-submersible platform
- 3.2. Spar or deep-draught buoy
- 3.3. Tension leg platform (TLP)
- 3.4. Barge and innovative concepts
- 3.5. Materials: steel and concrete
- 3.6. Static and dynamic stability
- 3.7. Structural design and fatigue calculation
- 3.8. Tower and turbine integration
- 3.9. Series fabrication and industrialisation
- 3.10. Classification society design standards
Hydrodynamics and Coupled Analysis
- 4.1. Potential flow theory and hydrodynamic coefficients
- 4.2. Frequency-domain response
- 4.3. Time-domain simulation
- 4.4. Coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic analysis
- 4.5. Turbine control on a floating platform
- 4.6. Second-order motions and resonances
- 4.7. Tank testing and model validation
- 4.8. Industry simulation tools
- 4.9. Extreme loads and design cases
- 4.10. Design optimisation
Mooring and Anchoring Systems
- 5.1. Configurations: catenary, semi-taut and taut
- 5.2. Materials: chain, wire rope and synthetic fibre
- 5.3. Anchor types and their selection
- 5.4. Anchor-soil interaction and geotechnics
- 5.5. Tension calculation and safety factors
- 5.6. Line fatigue and corrosion
- 5.7. Redundancy and single-line failure
- 5.8. Shared moorings between turbines
- 5.9. Installation of anchors and lines
- 5.10. Inspection and replacement
Electrical Systems and Dynamic Cables
- 6.1. Electrical architecture of a floating farm
- 6.2. Dynamic cables: design and configurations
- 6.3. Fatigue and protection of dynamic cables
- 6.4. Export cables and grid connection
- 6.5. Fixed and floating substations
- 6.6. Alternating current versus high-voltage direct current
- 6.7. Wet-mate connectors and quick disconnection
- 6.8. Electrical losses and efficiency
- 6.9. Grid integration and stability
- 6.10. The future: offshore hydrogen and storage
Construction, Ports and Installation
- 7.1. Port requirements: draught, laydown areas and cranes
- 7.2. Float fabrication in shipyard and dry dock
- 7.3. Turbine integration in port
- 7.4. Towing and marine planning
- 7.5. Hook-up to moorings and cables
- 7.6. Installation and support vessels
- 7.7. Weather windows and planning
- 7.8. Safety in marine operations
- 7.9. Supply chain and logistics
- 7.10. Lessons learned from pilot projects
Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring
- 8.1. Offshore operation and maintenance strategies
- 8.2. Technician access: CTVs, SOVs and helicopters
- 8.3. Major repairs: tow to port or in situ
- 8.4. Structural and mooring monitoring
- 8.5. Digital twins of floating farms
- 8.6. Inspection drones and robots
- 8.7. Predictive maintenance with data
- 8.8. Spare parts management and logistics
- 8.9. Health and safety of offshore personnel
- 8.10. Availability and energy production
Environment, Consenting and Relations with Other Sea Users
- 9.1. Environmental impact assessment
- 9.2. Effects on birds, marine mammals and the seabed
- 9.3. Underwater noise during installation
- 9.4. Reef effect and ecological benefits
- 9.5. Administrative procedures and concessions
- 9.6. Relations with the fishing sector
- 9.7. Navigation safety and marking
- 9.8. Public participation and coastal communities
- 9.9. Environmental monitoring during operation
- 9.10. Decommissioning and restoration
Economics and Project Management of Floating Wind
- 10.1. Levelised cost of energy (LCOE)
- 10.2. Cost structure: float, mooring, turbine and cables
- 10.3. Remuneration schemes and auctions
- 10.4. Power purchase agreements (PPA)
- 10.5. Project finance and risk
- 10.6. Insurance and guarantees
- 10.7. Project management and scheduling
- 10.8. EPCI contracting and supplier management
- 10.9. Cost reduction through industrialisation
- 10.10. Analysis of real project cases
Master's Final Project: Conceptual Design of a Floating Wind Farm
- 11.1. Site selection and characterisation
- 11.2. Defining farm capacity and layout
- 11.3. Justified selection of the float type
- 11.4. Preliminary sizing of the mooring system
- 11.5. Design of the electrical architecture
- 11.6. Construction, port and installation plan
- 11.7. Operation and maintenance strategy
- 11.8. Environmental and consenting analysis
- 11.9. Economic study and LCOE
- 11.10. Writing the final project report and defending it before a panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Floating Offshore Wind
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in Floating Offshore Wind
Career opportunities after the Master's in Floating Offshore Wind
Questions about the Master's in Floating Offshore Wind
Floating wind uses platforms moored to the seabed instead of foundations, which makes it possible to install turbines in much deeper waters.
Yes. Many float, mooring and installation technologies come from that industry, and the programme eases the transition.
Yes. You work with the hydrodynamic and coupled analysis tools commonly used in the sector.
Yes. A full module deals with costs, financing, contracts and project management.
You design a complete floating wind farm at conceptual level: site, float, mooring, electrical system, installation and economics.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme has a workload of 1,500 hours. You can progress at your own pace within the calendar you are given when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by the admissions team when you request information.
More programmes in Marine energy
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- Profile: A degree in Naval and Ocean, Industrial, Civil, Mechanical or Energy Engineering, or Marine Sciences; or proven professional experience in the offshore or energy sector.
- Language: sufficient command of the language of instruction to follow classes and materials; basic technical English is recommended, as much of the sector's regulation and documentation is published in English.
- Technical resources: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project defences.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enrol
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.