Offshore Wind Grants Support Projects Led by UAlbany, SUNY Poly
ALBANY, N.Y. (March 7, 2024) — The University at Albany and SUNY Polytechnic Institute are collaborating on a project to advance learning in the field of offshore wind technology.
UAlbany Professor of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Haralabos (Harry) Efstathiadis and SUNY Poly Professor of Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) Iulian Gherasoiu are developing a three-course micro credential program which will be available to students at both campuses (either in-person or asynchronously online). The courses will cover issues such as wind energy theory and design, as well as how offshore wind energy impacts society and the environment.
SUNY Poly also has received funding for a project to develop a workforce training program to increase the number of engineers, scientists and engineering technicians with the skills to contribute to the current offshore wind industry and help foster its growth. This project is led by SUNY Poly Professor of Civil Engineering Zhanjie Li.
The projects were part of the second round of Offshore Wind Training Institute (OWTI) grants awarded for workforce development. The nearly $4 million in funding, announced by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Feb. 9, supports 12 programs at eight State University of New York campus-led programs.
“We are grateful for these investments in SUNY Poly and I commend Zhanjie and Iulian for their continued efforts in offshore wind, the advancement of which is a clear priority in New York State,” said SUNY Poly Interim Dean of the College of Engineering and Associate Provost for Research Michael Carpenter. “These projects will be critical in educating the future generation of engineers entering this booming industry, as well as creating a clear and fast-tracked pathway for students and professionals to successfully enter the offshore wind workforce.”
“We are delighted to partner with SUNY Poly on this effort to advance learning in the field of offshore wind technology,” said UAlbany Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Carol H. Kim. “We also thank Gov. Hochul for her insight and support in providing the tools necessary to train the future clean energy workforce in New York.”
“This is a transformative time in history as the world grapples with issues such as climate change and energy shortages. We are excited to partner with SUNY Poly to help educate the next generation of students who will be tasked with advancing the burgeoning field of offshore wind technology," said College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE) Dean Michele J. Grimm. "Congratulations as well to Prof. Efstathiadis for his leadership in this effort."
Efstathiadis is developing the two courses at UAlbany that will focus on offshore wind energy theory, design and materials of turbine blades, turbine installation and offshore wind energy economics. The courses will also cover issues such as how offshore wind energy impacts society, the environment and climate change.
The third course will be housed in SUNY Poly’s EET Lab. Gherasoiu is responsible for the development of that course, “Fundamentals of Electrical and Electronic Systems of Wind Turbines,” which will focus on the electrical aspects of the wind turbine operation. Gherasoiu was also a recipient of a grant in the first round of funding through the Offshore Wind Training Institute.
The courses at SUNY Poly are designed to enhance the renewable energy curriculum coordinated by Gherasoiu, in collaboration with UAlbany’s CNSE, which include courses on the fundamentals of photovoltaic energy, an introduction to electrical energy storage and an introduction to fuel cell nanotechnology.